5 Days, 5 Ways: Rugged & Refined in a Buffalo Plaid
Day 1 of #NoJeansJanuary
By Gabi Meyers
Whose wardrobe has been loving this denim detox? SG HQ has been uncovering some new favorite pieces in our closets, so don’t mind us as we celebrate a few style victories this month. Keep sharing your stylish outfits using #NoJeansJanuary for a chance to be featured on SG and win* $250 to Bar III available at Macy’s.
Do you guys have a favorite pattern? I really love pattern in general, but if you took a good hard look at my wardrobe, it’s primarily plaids. My closet is stuffed with plaid skirts, shirts, a toggle coat and a suit, not to mention a madras jacket and probably a pair of plaid shoes somewhere in there. So you bet I like a guy who’s not afraid to cross some lines, or, wear some lines that cross. While all plaids can pack a visually powerful punch, none do quite as strongly as Buffalo plaid.
So what makes Buffalo plaid a more mandatory wardrobe staple than your standard tartan? It’s association with Paul Bunyan is pretty baller – it’s blue collar roots make it feel more like a man’s man’s plaid – it’s rugged and enduring and it’s blown out proportions just feel more rough and tumble – especially next too some of the more subtly striped fancy pants plaids – like Royal Stewart and Glen Plaid. Buffalo plaid can blend into any style too – it doesn’t look out of place on a farm boy or a punk, a prep or a hipster.
No plaid says cool quite like Buffalo, and its bold check is best translated on flannel fabric. Let this style be your winter wardrobe work horse by choosing a flannel shirt cut like your favorite work shirt, so it can do double duty.
MONDAY
Chinos: Everlane, $68 | Sweater: L.L. Bean, $109 | Scarf: Begg & Co., $85
Boots: Alden, $560 | Socks: Chup Socks, $36
Wear it well: You will come to realize two is better than one applies to plaids. Make sure that there is a commonality – in this case, both have red and black – and that they are different enough in scale as not to compete.
TUESDAY
Leather Pants: Diesel, $798 (coated denim gives the same look for less) | Shawl Collar Cardigan: Brooks Brothers, $249
Topcoat: Topman, $200 | White Tee: Hanes, $15 (for 6) | Boots: Red Wing, $446 | Beard Oil: Prospector Co. $28
Wear it well: If there ever were a look for male Libras it would be this – balance between softness in the sweater, hardness in the leather, more genteel with a topcoat, and more rugged with a beard.
WEDNESDAY
Cords: PacSun, $68 | Henley: Grayers, $75 | Puffer Vest: Uniqlo, $50
Chukkas: Clarks, $175 | Socks: Happy Socks, $13 | Beanie: Original Penguin, $40
Wear it well: When it’s actually cold but you can’t be bothered to put on a real coat, layer up your winter favorites.
THURSDAY
Wear it well: The outfit to take you from “coolest guy in the office” to “coolest guy at the bar”.
FRIDAY
Joggers: Publish, $84 | Tee: Saturdays NYC, $40 | Leather Jacket: Berlin, $690
Sneakers: Buddy, $120 | Beanie: Neff, $22 | Sunglasses: Steven Alan Optical, $190
Wear it well: Wear it as an inside layer or tie it around the waist to show off that…waist.
TELL ME:
WHAT CLASSIC PLAID STYLE DO YOU ROCK MOST OFTEN?
Keep up with all things #NoJeansJanuary! Follow along on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and right here on SG for outfit inspiration and styling tips.
Thanks to Bar III, and its modern, versatile offerings for both men and women, for making this wardrobe challenge possible! The suits, especially, are great for guys – perfectly proportioned and really well-priced. Not looking for all-designer-everything, but believe you deserve to live with style at any price point? Check out the brand’s distinctive pieces that can be mixed with every thing from denim to designer apparel. It’s stylish, “wear to work” clothing that you can wear straight from work to happy hour and still feel dapper.
*U.S. residents only!
See more ways to wear your favorites like a Fair Isle sweater, long sleeve henley and puffer vest 5 ways.
