I accept your challenge

I was looking back at some November, December, and January magazines and I noticed that there was a fair amount of plaid. I flip back to the the spring and summer issues and there is absolutely no plaid. Okay, I understand that plaid is a fall/winter print, but I find no problem with bringing it into the warmer months. This will be a challenge. After all, I dress like it is winter year round. Except with a couple less layers.

In my magazine archive, I also looked back at November issue of TeenVogue and I noticed that there was a long-sleeved plaid shirt layered under a cardigan two times. Granted, one of those times was an L.A.M.B. phone ad, but that is definitely something to try. I kind of like the way it looked. It was paired with jeans both times--one in skirt form, the other in trousers. I guess if I mixed the colors right I could wear it with a brown corduroy skirt. Wait, scratch that. No, I think that jeans would be best to make a sort of nautical look. Yes, that's it. I really can't wait to expand my wardrobe. I do not have such a top because they don't sell this kind of stuff in stores anymore. I'm sure they did in the '90s grunge era. Lucky ducklings.

To all you wannabe middle school counselors

This is my first fashion no-no for all aspiring middle school counselors: don't wear plaid pants that are cropped three inches above the ankle. Today I was talking with my friend that had just came back from Taiwan and I was momentarily distracted by this big, red, plaid abomination on the counselor. (Really, I couldn't even concentrate on the Asian Pop c.d.'s that she was telling me about.) The trousers definitely were not bad, but they were cropped at a horrible, awkward length. I definitely wouldn't have minded a nice trouser that hit right at the top of the foot. I'd also give my okay to a longer pair of shorts like a Bermuda or knicker. Then again, in this case, I don't really want the person in question to wear something that shows that much skin.

If you are going to wear red plaid trousers in a professional environment, I quite frankly, wouldn't wear them. I think that it would be more fitting to swap the red pants for high waisted brown ones. Then you can pair the pants with a cream sweater and possibly boots. Or you could go for an olive colored plaid trouser with a brown sweater. However, in a casual environment I am all for the red pair of trousers. Along with a black tee and trainers, the look is very old rock and roll.

Oh, and as a caveat: if your butt is wide, plaid will make it look a lot wider. Especially if the plaid has to stretch. God knows if there is one thing that I've learned from the counselor, it is that.

Jean Heaven...Hey! This is a blog about plaid

What I saw on television last night was like, destiny. Besides watching the last Charmed episode ever, it also gave me something to write about: Old Navy Madras. Why? They were plaid. In ugly colors. It might be the traditionalist in me, or the fact that they go with my $15 Converse, but I really only like plaid in red, green, blue, brown, and other non-bright colors. I saw the multi-colored neon plaid, the pink plaid, and the turquoise plaid, and I was overcome by how much I would not wear any of it. I really shouldn't be surprised. After all, it is Old Navy and they are known for their bright and cheery clothes. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against Old Navy at all. In fact, 50% of my jeans are from that store. I know my exact size, sigh. It is like jean heaven, having a direction.

Oh, and as a final note, brown plaid blazers look excellent with jeans and Converse shoes.

This is what you've all been waiting for

The question some might ask is: why is this insane girl writing about plaid? The answer: I can do whatever the hell I want. Okay, so maybe there is a greater motive behind this blog. I like blogging. I have a xanga and it is better for me than writing things out on paper. My mind goes a lot faster than my hand can write. I also *surprise, surprise* adore plaid. It is just so pretty...yet preppy...yet punk...yet just about anything else at the same time. So don't you find it fitting that my passion be honed into a blog?