The Row Just Cosigned the Return of This "Ugly" Trend—5 Chic Ways to Wear It

Despite having entered fall, some cities are still facing a transitional period, where temperatures can range from a warm 75 degrees to a cool 57 the next. Layering is always helpful, and a light jacket can easily work, but flannels are another tried-and-true staple that's even better suited for the current fall weather. Often associated with farmer style or '90s grunge aesthetics, the flannel has reentered the fashion zeitgeist thanks to designers like The Row and Bottega Veneta. Both brands, respectively, are known to bring life to silhouettes and shapes you normally wouldn't think twice about, and their journey with the flannel is no different. Matthieu Blazey brought everyone back to the '90s in his S/S 23 collection for Bottega Veneta by having Kate Moss walk down the runway in a leather flannel shirt and jeans. The Row's use of flannel was more recent, incorporating three plaid looks in its S/S 2025 lookbook.

Apart from the runway, the autumnal style was also seen on celebrity and fashion month street style. Gigi Hadid wore a colorful flannel underneath a heavy-duty leather jacket, and a stylish Copenhagen showgoer paired her lightweight plaid top with breezy linen pants and ballet flats. So whether you want to incorporate the classic edgier flannel look or a softer look, the outfit ideas below will help inspire you for all your standard fall activities. Apple picking will never look more chic!

The Row Way

The Row model wearing plaid shirt and black pants

(Image credit: The Row)

model wearing plaid skirt and yellow shirt

(Image credit: The Row)

The Row model wearing plaid coat and green trousers

(Image credit: The Row)

Outfit Ideas

Gigi Hadid wearing leather jacket, plaid shirt, and white pants

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gigi Hadid's outfits are always edgy yet playful, and her plaid look here is no different. She layered her punchy-colored flannel with a thick brown leather jacket and contrasted the colors with white trousers. Another styling trick can be to tie the flannel around your waist or over your shoulders if you want to show off the color a bit more.

Copenhagen fashion week showgoer wearing plaid shirt, white pants, red ballet flats, and cow print bag

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Flannel doesn't always have to be worn with jeans or leather jackets. This chic Copenhagen showgoer proves that statement by pairing her flannel with linen pants and red ballet flats. The cow-print bag just adds an extra touch of flair.

showgoer wearing plaid skirt, leather jacket, and black flats

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you'd rather opt for a plaid skirt over a shirt (don't worry—The Row cosigned that as well), channel your inner grunge with an oversize leather jacket on top. I love how this showgoer balanced out the look and added a softer touch with Mary-Jane flats and socks.

Bella Hadid wearing plaid coat, white top, and dark wash jeans

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When have you a printed coat in your wardrobe, the outfit ideation process becomes a whole lot easier. All you need is a white top and dark-wash jeans, and you're looking on par with Bella Hadid.

showgoer wearing plaid coat, plaid shirt, and jeans

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If simple isn't your vibe, why not go all in on the flannel? A plaid coat is already enough of a statement, but the maximalist look of layering a similarly printed shirt underneath will undoubtedly keep you warm and also keep compliments coming your way.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.