Three Styles for… Buffalo Plaid
Buffalo plaid is one of those everlasting styles in men’s fashion that seem to cross eras and borders. The standard way to wear it is, of course, the good ol’ tough guy outfit, like any respectable lumberjack would. But the print holds more style potential than the way every other guy has worn it in the last two decades. Here’s how to explore all the other looks that buffalo plaid can offer.
Tried and Tested
Few things scream MAN like a good buffalo plaid. It’s the fashion equivalent of a big ol’ Hummer, or maybe a log cabin out somewhere rustic and isolated. How do you live up to such a masculine heritage? The answer is simple: jeans and boots.
To really tap into everything the buffalo plaid print stands for, you don’t pair it with a necktie and espadrilles. You go the whole nine yards on the toughness and wear a hardy (but clean) pair of denims and, ideally, outdoorsy boots to match. Keep your outfit trim and simple; the bold print will do all the talking that has to be done here.
Character is a good thing to have in any outfit, but it’s not hard to cross over into costume territory. Keep the style modern with slim and more tailored fits. Also, keep away from the trapper hats; they never became part of the fashionable buffalo plaid package.
Rumpled and Relaxed
Another personality of buffalo plaid belongs to the man who does what he wants, fashion and rules be damned. The whole devil-may-care attitude is also very easy to tap into if you have the right pieces to match.
Slouchy is the key idea here; you want to look like a guy who’s perpetually relaxed, and whose clothes are just as chilled out as the wearer. Relaxed fit chinos or, better, cargo pants in neutral tones get into this character well. They lose none of the masculinity but add nonchalance to your style. They’re great for lounging around the house to boot. On chilly days, you could throw on a solid white crewneck, with the plaid shirt for layering.
Note that all of this is strictly weekend wear; if there’s even a hint of a necktie in the vicinity you’re going to be severely underdressed. A more upmarket dress code, though, doesn’t mean you have to put the plaid in the corner.
Tough but Tasteful
Men’s fashion today frequently mashes up casual styles with dressier elements for outfits that are somewhere in between. It’s a strategy you can use to make a bold style statement – and wear buffalo plaid to work as well.
The biggest problem of buffalo plaid in a suit-and-necktie environment is that it’s a little too loud and a little too bold. Dressing it up involves having a slim fit shirt balanced by dark, businesslike jeans or preppy chinos, and then rounded off with a sober sport jacket. You could take your accessories any way you like: tough with a pair of black work boots; elegant with loafers; or contemporary with sneakers.
Buffalo plaid makes for great men’s fashion because there are already so many things and ideas associated with the print. All that’s left for you to do is to pick the persona you like and dress yourself up to match that character.
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