Plaid Shirts for Men

What plaid shirts can you find at Tom Tailor?

At Tom Tailor, plaid shirts for men are long-sleeved with a Kent collar and differ mainly in their fabric:

• Flannel shirt: lightly brushed, soft against the skin and pleasantly warm on cooler days.
• Corduroy shirt: finely ribbed with a substantial, sturdy feel, almost like a lightweight jacket.
• Smooth cotton shirt: lighter and less textured, and it works well under a jumper or blazer.

Several styles have a regular fit, meaning a straight cut with a little room across the chest and waist. Some also have one or two chest pockets. If you prefer plain or striped designs, you'll find more styles in our shirts range.

What check patterns are used on shirts?

The classic check patterns for shirts are gingham, tartan and lumberjack check, plus the finer tattersall. Gingham, also known as Vichy check, is made up of stripes of equal width in two colours, often white paired with one other colour. Tartan combines several colours with lines of varying widths. Lumberjack check is large and bold and often found on flannel. Tattersall features thin lines in two colours on a light background and has an understated look. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the check and the more muted the colours, the calmer the shirt looks.

Are plaid shirts still in style?

Plaid shirts have been part of men's wardrobes for decades and are more of a classic than a passing trend. You can wear them in a more relaxed way, for example open over a tee, much like an overshirt. A subtle check in muted colours works at the office too, while larger checks are better suited to the weekend.

How do you style a plaid shirt?

Because the check draws the eye, it pays to keep the rest of your outfit plain. These combinations work well:

• Everyday: worn open over a simple T-shirt with jeans
• Office: buttoned up and tucked into chino trousers, finished with a belt
• Layered look: under a crew-neck jumper, so the collar and cuffs peek out
• A little smarter: a finely checked cotton shirt under a blazer, with plain trousers
• Cooler days: a flannel or corduroy shirt worn open over a long-sleeved top as a warming layer

For a coordinated look, pick up one of the colours from the check in your trousers or jumper: a shirt with blue in the pattern pairs well with dark jeans or a navy jumper. On hot summer days, short-sleeved shirts are the lighter, airier alternative.