No Hate to Jeans, But If You Want to Look Chic This Winter, Wear This Exact Skirt Trend

Plaid has always had a choke hold on my fall-and-winter wardrobe—maybe it’s the British countryside romanticism of it all or simply the fact that the print just workswhen the temperatures drop. But this season, the plaid trend looks a little different. Instead of the micro minis or stiff pencil skirts we’ve seen in years past, the fashion world has fully pivoted to something far more wearable: the plaid maxi skirt. Picture long, full silhouettes in chocolate, camel, black, and tan, swishing around your boots and instantly making your outfit feel more considered.

Designers clearly got the memo, too. Fashion houses with real history in plaid brought the print back in a big way on their runways. And then there’s the viral COS plaid maxi skirt, which felt like every editor, influencer, and assistant hustling between shows during fashion month was wearing. The broader trend's appeal is obvious: clean lines, neutral tones, and a silhouette that feels elevated and relaxed without trying too hard.

Plaid Maxi Skirts on the Runway

After popping up on the runway, editors, influencers, and stylists alike began adopting the long plaid maxi-skirt look in their daily outfits and mirror selfies. While most of the runway looks may be paired with other print or statement tops, the majority of the fashion set's looks revolved around letting the plaid maxi skirt do all the talking—that is, pairing the trend with simple, understated key pieces like suede bombers and leather boots, for all-around chic look.

The preferred color combination for real-life plaid maxi skirt outfits is often darker, moodier, and more wearable than their runway counterparts, with the majority of looks leaning on chocolate, tan, white, and black hues.

What I love about this season’s plaid maxis is how easy they are to style. Pair one with a chunky knit, a suede bomber, or classic leather boots, and you instantly get that effortless countryside-meets-city vibe. Trust me—if you’re looking to look chic this winter with absolute minimal effort, this is the skirt trend to reach for.

Plaid Maxi Skirts on the Fashion Set

How to style: Oversize twill bomber, plaid maxi skirt, and black boots

How to style: leather jacket, plaid maxi skirt, and brown boots

How to style: Wool coat plaid maxi skirt, plaid button-down, and black sandals

How to style: Suede jacket, plaid maxi skirt, chunky knit, and black ballet flats

Shop Plaid Maxi Skirts

COS

Draped Checked Midi Skirt

The viral skirt in all its glory.

This under-$100 option from Mango is a chic, affordable skirt to consider.

This one is waiting for me downstairs in my building's package room as I type this!

Hunter Bell

Manor Wrap Skirt

Although I'm partial to neutral earth-toned plaid maxi skirts, I feel like styling this blue number with a crisp white button-down shirt would be so chic.

Zara

Check Cape Skirt ZW Collection

This pick screams '90s rom-com.

Zara

Draped Plaid Skirt ZW Collection

Another Zara skirt I absolutely love.

Mango

Wool-Blend Check Midi-Skirt

This entire look, complete with the black leather jacket, is just *chef's kiss.*

Don't be caught off-guard by the green hues in this option—although it looks difficult to wear, you can simply layer it with your favorite brown leather jacket and long-sleeve.

Mango Outlet

Checked Asymmetric Skirt

I gasped when I saw how good this skirt is. And it's under $50? Run, don't walk.

Reformation

First Light Skirt

Anything Reformation makes, I'll buy.

Anna-Kaci

Plaid Midi Skirt

Isabel Marant Étoile

Nicole Skirt

I've seen so many people online rave about this skirt.

Gerard Darel

Basma Pleated Skirt

This entire outfit is so Princess Diana coded.

Bimba y Lola

Checked Wool Skirt

Halogen

Pleated Midi Skirt

English Factory

Plaid A-Line Midi Skirt

I'll leave you with this pretty gray plaid maxi skirt find.

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Maxi Skirts