PLAID PROFESSIONAL

I'm obsessed with plaid.

I don't own enough of it.

Especially now that it's been officially fall for about a week now,

 I am so happy to be breaking out my favorite button-up plaid flannels!  

Here's why I love them so much:

1. They go with ANY solid color...

that complements the colors in the print.

That's a no-brainer I think, but let me explain anyway.  I usually stick to two ways of pairing patterns with other pieces like skirts or blazers:

- Make the outfit's solid color piece the least represented color in the pattern.

Pairing this shirt with a navy blazer and white jeans would really make this shirt pop.

- Stick to the same base colors.

For example, blue-based reds don't match orange-based reds.  The blue-based red matches pretty nicely with my electric blue bib statement necklace, right? (And I like contrasting shades of the necklace and navy stripes too.)  You'll see how the color of the skirt I chose follows this rule!

2. They give professional clothing a casual vibe...

and it looks awesome.

Professional style doesn't mean just suits jackets and matching skirts anymore.  BORING.  I love how this casual look gives me a little country flair but stays glamorous with the pencil skirt and necklace.  To anchor it all, I added hints of brown with the belt and flats.  

Shirt: JCPenney

Skirt: Charlotte Russe

Shoes: Aeropostale

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Belt: Charlotte Russe

Although I can't remember exact prices for each of these items, 

I know all of the clothing items were under $20 each & the accessories were less than $10 each.

How could this outfit be different?

Heels: Nude, Brown, Navy, White, or LEOPARD

I usually ALWAYS wear heels, but for some reason I didn't regret my decision not to today as I walked across our uneven stone walkway to my car.  This outfit would have looked great with any heels in the colors I mentioned above, but if I really wanted to amp up my fashion game, I could have been risky with a pair of leopard heels. Now, I don't think uber-platform, shiny pumps in that print would work, BUT almond-toe suede in leopard?  Yes.  I might even go so far as to say: 

leopard prints have blue and red bases too!

You'd be surprised to see how similar bases can make unlikely matches between drastically different prints.

Can I also just say...

The newest item in this outfit is around one year old?  The oldest is from my freshman year of high school!  There is nothing "brand new" about ANYTHING I'm wearing here!  What I'm saying is, you don't NEED to go on a shopping spree to change up your seemingly "blah" wardrobe.  

LOOK AT YOUR BASICS. 

Here we have the basic red skirt, the basic flannel button-up, the basic flat.

POP WITH A STATEMENT.

 The only thing not basic about this outfit is the statement necklace!

Get to know what's already in your closet because you might have the exact look you want to just waiting for you to put it together!

Thoughts? Comments? Hate it? Love it? 

Tell me about it.