Check Yourself

Jessica Daly and Jordan Barnes

The squares might never have been cool in high school, but they're cool in your clothes for fall. While most nerds are playing checkers, these ex-nerds are wearing checks.

Guys:

Plaids and checks can be added to an outfit as subtly as a scarf or as boldly as a coat. These looks from Gucci, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen all incorporate squares in their fall lines.

Here are some affordable local options for putting a check on your fall wardrobe.

These scarves from Urban Outiffters will keep you rad while they keep you warm.
P.S. Stay ahead of the curve because fads and trends like this one will be huge this spring.

While you’re at Urban, pick up this checker flag belt and backpack from Yak Pak. I have the pack in plaid, but it’s completely sold out.

Nike brings back the old high tops in great new prints and colors including this brown plaid also available at Urban Outfitters.

If you’re looking for a bit more conservative way to wear your squares, try a nice gingham check or smaller checked button-down from JCrew or the Gap.

Girls:

Though not usually a Juicy Couture fan, I think this dress combines manly plaid with flirty frills and a short hem—sounds like a winner to me!

I own this hat and love it!  It was originally sold in the guy’s section at Urban Outfitters about a year ago but I bought it and now I see my superior fashion influence has caused the store to market it to girls because it looked so good on me.

Obviously Urban Outfitters has jumped on the hunter’s plaid trend, but I love that fun, different colors are used in this scarf—such a cute feminine take on the look!

This shift dress from Nordstrom is fabulous because of the refined material, menswear look,
and metallic accents!

I’m not over the vest look and you shouldn’t be either after you look at this one! Find it at Urban Outfitters.

I am in love with manly details on inherently girly pieces like clutches!  This could be paired with just about any outfit and give it that extra oomph we’re all looking for. Urban Outfitters.

Okay… so these look cheap, but since when is cheap a bad adjective when describing plaid, lacy underwear from Forever 21?  Sometimes you just have to let your hooker flag fly.