It goes without saying that plaid screams Fall. You’re practically beaten over the head with it from September until Springtime. From coats to flannels, even beauty products, plaid is as universally Fall as the Pumpkin Spice Latte and comfy sweaters.
When it comes to handling the dropping temperatures that these months bring, it’s easy to default into what we know works, but I’m here to change that. Honestly, it’s hard to look past the unequivocal ease of plaid, but thinking outside the box and outside your comfort zone will serve you well, I promise. You can wear floral in the Fall. You can try an unexpected shape. You can, and you will because I am here to prove to you that as great as plaid is as a pattern, it can easily get boring and overdone.
Patterned coats are the perfect way to add visual interest to an outfit, especially when Fall color palettes veer into the grays and browns. They are the best way to make you feel like you put together an actual outfit, rather than lazily throwing on a pair of skinnies and a sweater (no judgment, this is exactly what I plan on doing the next few weeks). It’s a lazy-girl fashion hack that is literally one step. The only difficulty is finding the pattern, color, and shape that works best for you.
Here are 10 coats that you should try in your Fall wardrobe instead of plaid.
(Related: Forget Plaid, Here Are 8 Ways to Incorporate Stripes Into Your Fall Wardrobe)
Woodland Print Quilted Bomber Jacket
Fall is known for fluctuating temperatures, and this quilted bomber is great for the chillier mornings on your way to work but would look equally great tied around your waist for the rest of the day.
Stanton Coat
I am such a sucker for drape coats; it’s ridiculous. Paired with stripes (my favorite thing in the world) and this coat is on its way to becoming a fall staple in my closet.
Junarose Rain Cape
The unfortunate consequence of living in NYC during the fall is that it rains a decent amount of time on top of the dropping temps. Throw this floral patterned rain cape (yes, cape!) on top of a chunky sweater and some waterproof boots, and you’re good to go.
BCBGeneration Oversized Coat In Diamond Print
At first glance, this BCBGeneration coat looks like an oversized blazer, and with the frigid temperature, my office keeps the AC on, that works perfectly for me.
Metro Beat Coat in Black
This is a pretty standard fall coat style, but the bold stripes make it much more interesting than your typical belted wool coat.
Southwestern Pattern Coat
The whole Southwestern trend is a bit lost on me, but I can totally see this paired with a pair of black skinnies and ankle boots.
BIANCOGHIACCIO Full-Length Jacket
Can you imagine just throwing this over an LBD for a night out? It’s just chic and simple and pretty.
PLENTY BY TRACY REESE Patchwork Robe Coat
I would wear this every single day of my life because it just looks so freakin’ comfy.
Lapel Houndstooth Woolen Loose Coat
I’m usually not the biggest fan of houndstooth, but this color combo is just so perfect.
Manon Baptiste Plus-Size Open Front Wool Blend Jacket
Okay, I cheated a little because technically, this is plaid, but it’s pixelated and awesome and deserves to be on this list because it’s not beating you over the head with its plaidness.