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Forget Checkered Shirts! Cool ‘It’ Girls Are Zeroed in on Fall-Coded Plaid Skirts Instead

It's the newest iteration of the tartan style

PARIS, FRANCE - March 03: Olesya Schuler is seen wearing a beige cotton canvas utility jacket with a relaxed oversized silhouette, classic collar stand in tan brown corduroy, patch pockets, button front fastening and turned up cuffs from Ralph Lauren; a light blue button down shirt; a vintage burgundy silk tie with abstract geometrical pattern from Yves Saint Laurent; a cream coloured, blue and brown plaid wool wrap midi skirt with A-line silhouette from Victoria Beckham; black „Love Sling Back 85“ leather slingback pumps with a pointed toe and stiletto heel from Jimmy Choo; a black box leather top handle „Kelly 32“ bag with a rectangular silhouette and gold hardware from Hermès; oversized black angular acetate sunglasses with a dark frame and black tinted lenses from Bottega Veneta; chunky golden vintage statement earrings; her blonde hair is styled in a sleek high bun attending the Kilian Kerner Show during the Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026/2027 on March 03, 2026 in Paris, France. (Footage by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)
Moritz Scholz/Getty Images

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Fall street-style moments, pumpkin patch adventures and leaf-peeping days somehow all share one fashion thing in common: a plaid shirt. They’re pretty synonymous with the season, but we’ve noticed a slight decline in tartan shirt sightings as of late. . . and they’re quickly being replaced by their cooler cousin, a.k.a. the chic plaid skirt.

To put it plainly, plaid skirts are taking over fall fashion in 2026, with trendy girls pairing the patterned bottom with buttoned-up shirts for work, simple cardigans for coffee runs and a shirt and leather jacket combo for date night. The vintage-inspired skirt style is quite versatile, especially when you opt for color palettes in warm hues like browns, blacks and other neutrals. Not only are these shades easy outfit bases, they also modernize the classic pattern since they lean into this season’s ‘it’ color. Of course, we also included holiday-inspired picks on our list, because we know you’ll be rocking plaid from now through December. Check out our top finds from Anthropologie, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, Amazon and more.

17 Trendy Plaid Skirt Styles That Are Huge for Fall 2026

1. Our Favorite: Moody, cool and on-trend are just a few ways to describe this plaid maxi skirt. It has a vintage-like appearance yet feels very modern due to clever accents like secret pockets and an adjustable high-low design.

2. Runner-Up: Crafted with an A-line skirt and a cinched waist, this plaid pick delivers a flattering look that accentuates your silhouette. The decent length hits right around the knee, so you can still show off your legs without any ‘oopsie’ moments.

3. Fall Staple: There’s something about an orange plaid skirt that feels right at home in a pumpkin patch. It also has hints of brown and white, which makes it easy to style with a fitted long-sleeved shirt or even a contrasting gingham top (yes, cool girls love that style, too).

4. New Arrival: Amazon dropped this flirty plaid skirt recently, and it’s already a top seller. What makes this one stand out is the long, flowy skirt and pretty ruffles that give the pattern a feminine vibe.

5. Going Viral: Pleated plaid skirts, like this stylish pick, are certainly on the rise for autumn. The folded design makes the skirt easy to walk in while also giving it a timeless feel, which shoppers love. The best part? This pick has built-in shorts underneath!

sweater vest Evi Wave is seen wearing a voluminous brown faux fur jacket with an oversized silhouette and wide lapels from Munthe; a cream sequin embellished knit vest with black geometric pattern detailing from Munthe; a black and white striped long sleeve top in a fitted silhouette from Munthe; grey wide leg jeans adorned with multicolored floral crystal embellishments and a bootcut shape from Munthe; black leather pointed toe ankle boots featuring a slim heel from Munthe; a beige padded clutch bag crafted in softly ruched textured fabric with an imprinted pattern, drawstring details and a keyring charm with brand tag from Munthe; a brown knitted beanie from Munthe; silver ring stack jewelry; her brown straight hair worn loose and straight on January 6, 2026 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)

Related: Fall Sweater Vests Are the Versatile Layering Hack Style You Need ASAP

6. Cozy-Chic: Between the warm knit material, deep brown shade and tartan pattern, people will think you nabbed this flared skirt at a local shop in the Highlands. The classy appeal is practically embedded into this pick, and it even comes with loops to add your own belt.

7. Dreamy Print: If you thought the skirt above was good, get ready to ogle at this blue and green pick. We swear, it’s giving Us flashbacks of Outlander, and we’re certainly not mad about that.

8. Holiday Select: It may only be fall, but sometimes our minds drift off to think about the holidays. You, too? Then you’ll want to add this festive plaid skirt to your cart ASAP. It has that classy ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’ thing going on with the ruffled hem and vintage-looking shades.

9. Pop Culture Moment: We know this Abercrombie & Fitch skirt isn’t the same as the one Alicia Silverstone‘s character wore in Clueless, and yet, it has the same vibe with a modern 2026 color scheme. We credit the strategic pleating, short hem and flattering flared silhouette for the pop culture throwback.

10. Pretty Pick: This summer was all about the flowy white skirt, and this lighter brown plaid number brings that same aesthetic into fall. We love the ease of the maxi, especially when styled with a sweater vest or knit top.

11. Game Changer: Some skirts look good on the mannequin but not on real figures — that dilemma ends here. Abercrombie’s Curve Love collection features flattering styles that accommodate hips and dips, which is why shopping editors love this mini plaid skort. There are hidden shorts underneath!

12. Boho Babe: Designed with a fun handkerchief hem, this Gap skirt embodies a free-flowing appeal and relaxed vibes, which is so rooted in ’80s fashion. It comes in black plaid, but we can’t help loving the navy and red option.

13. Anything But Basic: Us Weekly shopping editors are big fans of wrap skirts; the overlay skims the tummy and the asymmetrical detail is super flattering. Pair that coveted style with a neutral plaid pattern and you get this iconic skirt, which is shockingly from Old Navy.

14. Trending Find: In case you missed it, grunge is back, and this plaid midi skirt lets you channel the look. It has that cool, vintage thing that’s transporting Us back to the ’90s. . . and the back of our closet for our favorite band tee.

15. Soft Statement: Leave it to Anthropologie to deliver a cottagecore-inspired plaid skirt that begs to be worn while frolicking in the countryside. The side buttons, ruffle hem and high slit are just *chef’s kiss*.

16. Preppy Pick: The Ivies are calling! This pleated, sporty-like skirt is the one to wear on campus at Harvard. The plaid pattern is stunning, but the unexpected striped accent on the side and belt loops really seal the deal.

17. CEO Energy: Whoever said plaid patterns are only for casual days hasn’t seen this high-waisted midi yet. The loose style has a bow-tie waist that makes it feel office-appropriate. Style it with a mock-neck top and heeled mules, and you’re good to go.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: A guest wears loose hair, black sunglasses, gold earrings, rings, a black leather Kelly clutch bag from Hermes, a gray plaid blazer jacket, a black knit V-neck cardigan with gold buttons, a white collared shirt, brown wide-leg pants, a gold chain belt, a white pearls belt, outside Altuzarra, during New York Fashion Week, on February 14, 2026 in New York City (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

Related: Downtown Girl Outfits Are Taking Over — 15 Chic Pieces So Soho-Coded

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