From oversized scarves to statement outerwear, the top comeback print is on fire this season with no signs of slacking. Whether you’re drawn to ’90s grunge, traditional Scottish tartans or unapologetically bright colors, designers have blurred the lines of past plaid fads so that when it comes to checks, almost anything goes.
Moncler Gamme Rouge’s fall 2015 ready-to-wear show featured this print in the most delightfully refreshing way—a mixture of relaxed street style and naturalistic notes. I was inspired to strategize the lingering fluidity from the performance and convert it into something more structured and collegiate. Traditional British hunting attire and stylized jockey-esque uniforms provided a more tailored template for Moncler’s elevated range. Constant classics such as black knee-padded leggings, tightly tied scarves and bowl-shaped helmets perfected layering and patchwork in a way that defiantly countered exhausted stereotypes of high-class fashion. Needless to say, it was grandly equestrian and charmingly evocative. Heraldic prints and mixed camouflage overpowered the essences of the show, leaving an almost animalistic resonance.
Taking a tip from the traditional tweeds, tartan and mohair checks that were transposed onto tech fabrics or spliced with luxe skins, I decided to mark this vibrant red moto jacket as the ensemble’s focal point. The objective was to pull plaid pieces together in a more refined way that diverged from the more masculine, grungy tones of the ‘90s. Plaid coats make a bold fashion statement that is sure to turn heads, but it is imperative to keep the rest of your look sleek and subdued. As a sartorialist, you want to shed any menacing undertones, so I utilized a crafty graphic sweater that was clearly neutral yet keyed a tough, aggressive attitude.
Additionally, you can top off an otherwise mundane ensemble with a scarf, hat or accessory to give it an edgy update. I wanted to juice the unique concept of Moncler’s bowl-shaped helmets, so I ramped it into something more wearable with a black bowler hat. Hardware is also an excellent method to inject some energy to the overall ensemble; I decided to add this asymmetrical, gold Goddess necklace from Jules Smith to balance out the overall boxy nature. The key is to mix prints and silhouettes just enough so that the pairings seem deliberate but harmonious. Footwear further dictates attitude, so I knew I needed something to correspond to the sportier mod style. While Moncler’s no-nonsense platform boot conjured a pedigreed provocateur, to streamline the outfit’s starkly constructed essence, I slipped on some monochromatic flatforms that further diffused its rebellious counterparts. Overall, this revolutionary style softens the tough exterior of the archetypal rebel from within, and sets the ball in motion for a profound millennial idea of androgyny.
Get My Look: 1. A plaid moto jacket. 2. Monochromatic flatforms. 3. A graphic sweater.
