15 Plaid Pieces That Will Help You Master Fall Dressing

Since the beginning of time, the moment fall touches down, people have turned to one another and said, "I'm looking for, like, an oversized plaid blazer." Seriously, it has been traced back to the paleolithic era, when women emerged from caves to a cool breeze and conveyed to each other through wall paintings, "I think Nordstrom has some on sale, I can text u the link."

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Plaid for fall, like florals for spring, is not groundbreaking. Rather, it's part of our collective unconscious, a uniform that we have agreed to put our own spin on in the name of coziness, and a nod to chic librarians everywhere. We've rounded up 15 of our absolute favorite plaid pieces of the season, all of which shake up the familiar pattern. Read on below to shop our picks.

Kate Spade New York Cameron Street Leather Plaid Satchel

Just when we thought Kate Spade couldn't get any more whimsical, this plaid edition of its classic Cameron Street Satchel came along and made us fall in love all over again.

To buy: $298; saksfifthavenue.com

Laundry by Shelli Segal Brixton Plaid Belted Blazer + Pant

The plaid suit is a chameleon of style. It packs power as a smart office outfit, and elevates an evening look without coming off as stuffy. This incredibly soft set is a notch above the rest thanks to details — like a flattering waist belt and a stepped trouser hem.

To buy: Blazer, $65; nordstromrack.com. Pants, $48 (originally $69); lastcall.com.

Isabel Marant Étoile Gabrie Wool Flannel Plaid Blanket Coat

Of all the designers we'd cite as good investment opportunities for outerwear, Isabel Marant would be at the top of that list. Each coat is made with the utmost attention to construction, and the designs are consistently thoughtful and different from what we're seeing elsewhere on the market. Take this flannel style, for instance, combining elements of a blanket coat and a cocoon coat, plus that refreshing yellow plaid. This coat is truly a Marant original.

To buy: $575; saksfifthavenue.com

Apiece Apart Catharina Metallic Plaid Jumpsuit

We love jumpsuits year round, but especially in the fall. What better way to look cutting edge, while making getting ready in the morning super easy? Gauzy fabric and metallic threading mean this piece won't look anything like the plaid flannel onesie you have stashed away for winter lounging.

To buy: $395; nordstrom.com

Petersyn Brennan One Shoulder Top

Rethink everything you know about stealing your boyfriend's lumberjack button-down. This stunning top by NYC-based designer, Petersyn, reinvents shirting by flipping it upside-down and tailoring it to fit and flatter women's bodies.

To buy: $248; shopbop.com

Reike Nen Check 80 Leather and Wool Ankle Boots

True plaid aficionados don't just sport the pattern on their shoulders — instead, they're in check all the way down below the ankles. Footwear newcomer, Reike Nen, imagines plaid booties in its signature flared heel and pointed toe.

To buy: $362; farfetch.com

Pinko Frayed Plaid Skirt

This plaid pencil skirt takes classic Cher Horowitz style and makes it fully 2018, complete with a frayed hem that echoes the edges of all our favorite jeans.

To buy: $280; farfetch.com

Miaou Morgan Tartan Crop Flare Pants

In fabric that is one part Irish, one part Christmas, Miaou has managed to forge a totally cool pair of crop flare pants that we want to live in this season. Complete with its signature belt grommets, the cool-girl brand gives us tartan pants with effortless attitude.

To buy: $325; nordstrom.com

Avec Les Filles Double Face Plaid Wool Blend Coat

This menswear-inspired plaid trench is the perfect piece to top off any fall outfit, whether you're going big and flashy, or keeping things low-key. An oversized fit conveys cool and casual, while the pink buttonholes and inner finishes show a deep sense of detail.

To buy: $179 (Originally $299); nordstrom.com

Public School Ema Plaid Overlay Dress

We love just about everything from 2013 CFDA fund winner, Public School, but even more so if it's 77 percent off — like this mashup plaid dress. Wear it over a tightly knit white turtleneck and knee-high boots to complete the look.

To buy: $145 (Originally $650); saksoff5th.com

Tibi Gingham Plaid Blouse

Some of our favorite shirts for summer are made by Tibi. You know the ones: a classic off-shoulder poplin top with tie sleeves and a bluebell-sleeved v-neck. And the brand is making some of our favorite fall shirts, too.

The delicate gathering along the neck of this gingham plaid blouse, plus the elastic wrist openings that allow you to add as much or as little volume to the sleeves, make this an easy everyday piece.

To buy: $325; farfetch.com

Acne Studios Cassiar Check Wool Scarf

You can always count on Acne to make even the most innocuous items at least a little subversive. This scarf, for instance, plays with plaid in a way that emulates printer failure (the knitted plaid abruptly loses its weft lines), and the overblown garment care symbols are Acne's way of throwing the hat into the logomania ring. The result? We couldn't imagine having any other signature scarf this season.

To buy: $240; mytheresa.com

Saks Potts Lucy Check Shearling Jacket

Saks Potts is the latest Scandinavian brand to catch our attention (following other beloved Scandi brand shown above, Acne.) The Danish duo puts coats at the center of their design philosophy, and the result is a spectacular collection of outerwear the likes of which we've never encountered before.

This piece combines three of our favorite features of a fall coat: shearling, plaid, and an unexpected color choice (baby blue!). You'd be hard-pressed to find anything at all quite like it.

To buy: $1,435; shopbop.com

Avec La Troupe Cotton Plaid Majorette Hat

As much as fall is about layering, it's also about accessorizing to the nines. Fun, rigid caps like this one by Avec La Troupe evoke '90s supermodel style, while also saying, "I know how to have fun with fashion." Throw one on with a turtleneck, blazer, and high-waited jeans.

To buy: $225; saksfifthavenue.com

Smythe Patch Pocket Duchess Blazer

For any other brand, we might waver at the idea of dropping nearly $700 on a blazer, but this is Smythe, the absolute apex choice for tailored outerwear, and a well-known Meghan Markle favorite. Aptly, this blazer is named Duchess, and all of the high-end trimmings are sure to make you feel like one.

To buy: $695; shopbop.com