Redefining Classics: The 6 Best Plaid Coats for Women! (2021)

Let’s kick things off with what is probably my favorite overall plaid coat, courtesy of Ralph Lauren.

While the patterning immediately provides a distinct “plaid” look, the color palette is muted enough that this coat won’t derail or distract from the rest of your outfit! 

When deciding what outfit works best with the Ralph Lauren coat, definitely follow the model’s lead. Solid colors or extremely discreet patterns are advisable pairings, and staying within the coat’s color palette will offer the best look! 

Most plaid coats feature a muted base color accented with brightly-colored stripes and patterns. This is traditionally why plaid can sometimes miss the mark and appear untastefully striking. 

What I love most about this Bernardo plaid coat is how it scraps that traditional playbook altogether.

Featuring color patterns that ever-so-slightly deviate from the base grey color, this coat makes looking elegant without trying too hard seem effortless! 

If you’re like me, I tend to automatically associate plaid coats with the expensive and stiff-looking coats you might expect from Burberry. 

While there’s a place for such coats, I love when brands can create looks that are effortlessly casual.

This plaid coat from Madewell does that perfectly, leveraging wide stripes, neutral colors, and a flannel homage to create the rare plaid coat with a super chill vibe! 

Sometimes – especially in the doldrums of winter – you just want an outfit so loud it immediately brings color and vibrancy to your look. 

Plaid coats like this gem from Kate Spade can work that angle perfectly, as this coat’s black-and-white color pattern, self-tie belt, and wide collar all combine for a look that will absolutely turn heads during winters filled with dull, muted outfits. 

Another great thing about the Kate Spade plaid coat is its extra length – when making a bold fashion statement, it’s always best to make sure the bold piece constitutes the majority of your outfit! 

Whoever said you can’t have your cake and eat it too, anyway? 

This reversible plaid coat from Sam Edelman offers your choice of a solid beige coat with plaid accents on the collar and waist belt or a traditional fully plaid coat with solid beige accents instead. 

This versatility makes the Sam Edelman coat an ideal option for shoppers who prioritize style, value, and variety!

This oversized plaid coat from Calvin Klein is low key probably the coolest plaid coat I’ve ever encountered. 

While mustard brown and black are both typical cold weather color choices, you don’t often see them paired together, which makes this plaid coat both traditional and unique at the same time. 

What I love most about this Calvin Klein coat, though, is how insanely comfortable they make the fabric. Given coats are supposed to, you know, make your warm, it’s remarkable how many are scratchy, heavy, and stiff. 

I don’t know how they do it, but this coat’s blended wool fabric is velvety soft to the touch without sacrificing any insulation or warmth whatsoever!