Fall's Favorite Pattern Is Making a Play for Spring…

Fall's Favorite Pattern Is Making a Play for Spring With These Warmer-Weather Prerequisites

Plaid is definitely in season. (Credit: Courtesy of Urban Renewal)

Certain seasons call for certain patterns. We expect florals in spring, despite Miranda Priestly's strong objection, and plaid come fall. Unless you're Burberry whose signature check print knows no seasonal confines. An interesting thing has been happening lately. Designers are blurring those previously established lines. They're introducing flowers into fall and winter by gathering them on moody backgrounds. They're also making tartan more warm weather-appropriate with spring plaid pieces that don't look like they somehow wandered into the wrong season.

Now some people may think we're referencing gingham, but that's another matter entirely since it boasts woven colored squares usually on a white cotton background. Plaid is more complicated featuring stripes and checks frequently placed on heartier fabrics, like wool. Obviously wool doesn't really translate to spring so we made sure to skip the material in our roundup of our favorite seasonal plaid patterns.

Color is another important category. Red is universal, working pretty much all year long. Spring also naturally favors pastels, but the spectrum is actually wider. We're talking borderline neon hues and primary colors. In some cases, there are matching sets so feel free to pick up the coordinating item. While we're focusing on spring we also included a couple of swimsuits in case things really heat up by May. (Although every single one of our selections can be worked into summer wardrobes.)

Here are the chicest spring plaid pieces to introduce into your repertoire.