What is plaid? Plaid is a pattern formed where horizontal and vertical lines cross, in varying colours, weights and scales. On a suit, plaid brings visual depth and a distinct personality to the wearer — something plain cloth can rarely achieve.
Why plaid earns its place in a man's wardrobe
In the language of tailoring, plaid is more than decoration. It offers four clear things:
- Depth: the checked grid creates a sense of layers, making the whole outfit livelier and more engaging.
- Personality: plaid carries its own character, letting you stand out elegantly rather than loudly.
- Ease of combination: with so many tones and variants, plaid pairs readily with what you already own.
- Elevated style: choosing a pattern with intent signals a refined eye.
Put differently, plaid brings difference and dimension to what you wear, creates an accent without resorting to loud colour, and makes classic style feel modern and interesting again. Every check you choose is a way of telling your own story.
Where plaid appears in menswear
There are five familiar ways to bring plaid into your wardrobe:
- Sport coat: a refined accent for elegant smart casual.
- Blazer: easy to wear, easy to combine, right for many occasions.
- A second suit: the suit that shows a more advanced eye than a basic plain one.
- A statement piece: a bolder choice that leaves a mark on your personal style.
- Accessories: a plaid tie, pocket square or scarf gives a harmonious, understated accent.
For the newcomer, Mon Amie usually suggests starting with an accessory or a checked blazer in a muted tone before moving to a full plaid suit.
The common plaid families
The world of checks is wide, but these six are the foundation:
- Glen check: classic, refined and highly wearable — a pattern bound to the English gentry.
- Prince of Wales: elegant, at home in a senior professional setting.
- Windowpane: large-scale checks, modern and surprisingly easy to combine.
- Tartan: strong, characterful and traditional — Scottish in origin.
- Madras: youthful and open, made for summer.
- Overcheck: a pronounced overlaid grid with a strong visual impression.
Choosing plaid well
Four principles Mon Amie applies whenever a client selects a checked cloth:
- Match your frame: smaller checks for a slighter build, larger checks for a taller one.
- Keep the colours harmonious: favour two or three dominant tones that work with your existing wardrobe.
- Start gently: begin with a small check in neutral tones.
- Respect the setting: choose plaid to suit the occasion — work, event, party or weekend.
For colour, four combinations have proven themselves: brown, beige and navy — warm, refined and easy to wear daily; grey, white and black — elegant, modern and right for professional settings; blue, white and brown — fresh and youthful, good with denim or chinos; and olive, brown and beige — classic, luxurious and distinctive.
Four cautions also matter: avoid very large checks on a smaller frame; do not layer too many patterns in a single outfit; watch that the check aligns at the important points; and keep the balance between pattern, colour and accessories.
Plaid across different ways of living
- Business elevated: plaid lifts office dress out of monotony while keeping it professional.
- Smart casual: easy with a shirt and chinos for a relaxed but polished look.
- Weekend refined: checks bring character to unhurried days.
- Evening and event: darker plaids read luxurious and magnetic at formal occasions.
- Travel style: light, flexible and easy to combine — ideal on the move.
- Detail matters: even a small plaid pocket square or tie can lift the whole.
A word from Mon Amie's artisans
For a tailor, checked cloth is the real test of skill: the lines must meet at the shoulder, at the lapel, at the pockets — a single millimetre out and a trained eye sees it at once. So when Mon Amie cuts a plaid suit, we allow extra cloth and match the pattern from the very first cut, so it runs unbroken across the whole jacket. A beautiful pattern always gives a garment a story — and that story is only complete when every line falls where it should.
If you would like to choose a checked cloth by hand, from Kevinlli through to Canonico, Holland & Sherry, Dormeuil or Scabal, visit one of Mon Amie's five showrooms in Ho Chi Minh City or call 0888.111.118. You are welcome to book an appointment for a personal consultation, and to review our pricing beforehand, with full suits from VND 4.8 million.