Not to boast, but there are certain perks that come with being a fashion editor. Yes, there are the occasional freebies (a definite bonus), and the fact that maths doesn’t feature in my day-to-day—the biggest win of all. But perhaps my favourite perk is when my work and my wardrobe seem to seamlessly align, giving me full licence to shop during office hours. Not something, I imagine, that would fly in most other workplaces.
At the very top of my current wish list? Plaid skirts. And judging by the numbers, I’m not alone. The style is having such a moment that searches for “plaid skirts”, “plaid pleated skirts”, “blue plaid skirt” and even “pink plaid skirt” have all hit breakout status on Google Trends. So, if you’re not yet among those searching, allow me to explain why you should be.
Burberry Autumn/Winter 2025
Checked fashion dominated the Autumn/Winter 2025 catwalks, with plaid skirts stealing the spotlight in London. Burberry—a long-time champion of the print—alongside E.L.V. Denim, Sinéad Gorey and Kent & Curwen, all featured iterations in their collections, spanning every cut, colour and length imaginable.
When it comes to pleated plaid skirts, meanwhile, Le Kilt continues to reimagine the Scottish classic. Fashion fans may recall the label’s collaboration with Dior for Cruise 2025, which firmly cemented its authority as the go-to place for all pleated skirts.
Kent & Curwen Autumn/Winter 25
As for styling? Consider the plaid skirt the star of any outfit. No matter if you opt for a mini or maxi style, you'll need little more than than a block colour jumper, boots and a leather jacket to make it look particularly polished.
Tempted? Scroll on for my edit of the chicest plaid skirts to shop now. Few prints are more suited to autumn dressing, after all.
Shop Plaid Skirts
This wool-blend checked skirt will make even a plain brown T-shirt look seem much more exciting.
Unsurprisingly, Zara has also stepped into the trend with this yellow and red plaid pattern.
Consider this chiffon plaid maxi skirt an elevated take on classic black designs.
This voluminous Topshop maxi skirt is the style I'm thinking of snapping up.
Burberry offers a number of pleated plaid skirts, including this collegiate-coded mini.
Burberry is the place to look for pleated plaid skirts that will truly stand the test of time.
Fashion fans most likely need no introduction to Le Kilt as this is the brand to turn to for a modern take on an old classic.
Prefer a mini? This wool-blend plaid skirt seamlessly slots into the 'old money' aesthetic.
Acne Studios has long been a plaid pusher, and this pleated skirt is the brand's latest addition to the line-up.
For anyone not a big fan of colour, a more neutral plaid pick may catch your eye, such as this Anthropologie option.
