PLAIDS, PAISLEYS AND TWEEDS
Invigorated classics...
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Page 1 of 2 Plaids, paisleys and tweeds are such go-to looks for fall that they are shorthand for cooler weather. But don't write them off as boring just because they're classic.
Tweed can be trendy if it's worn with chic jeans, plaid can be recolored into the most of-the-moment combinations and paisley can be a fanciful explosion of color if you let it.
Think of these rich, textured fabrics and prints as you would a popular silhouette, such as a sheath or pencil skirt, advises Gretta Monahan, co-host on "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style."
"You want something that says both `uniqueness' and `staying power,'" she says.
 The secret is to add an unexpected element to the outfit without compromising the familiarity of the fabric.
There's also a wise-buy element at play. Because the fabrics are classics, you could extend your wear of a particular garment--say wide-leg plaid trousers or a sueded-elbow tweed jacket--since they have a retro feel even when they're new.
A primer in creating a fresh look using traditional pieces:
Plaid:
Some sort of plaid has been in Tommy Hilfiger's fall collection since 1985. It could be a mountain plaid, a buffalo plaid or especially a tartan. "My mother was half Scottish," he says with a laugh.
 "Plaid represents something cozy, something festive. You certainly think about it at the holidays, or it makes you think of a ski or mountain weekend, or a fall weekend in Vermont or even the Swiss Alps," he says. "You can change plaid in so many different ways."
Whether oversized or micro, silk or cotton, customers love them. This year, he showed it in the Carnaby Street-1960s spirit, in red, white and blue with a high-waisted, flared-leg slim pant--one of his best-sellers.
Kimberley Newport-Mimrin, founder of the Pink Tartan label, says this season she favored tonal plaids, instead of using a lot of contrasting colors. She thought the subtlety of these plaids was regal and rich.
 A high-fashion accent color such as deep purple or metallic like silver or gold can also make a traditional plaid look new, she adds.
When the palette is sophisticated, there's more room to mix plaids, especially those of varying size. That said, there should always be some sort of complement among them, either in color or pattern. No Royal Stewarts with Black Watch, according to Newport-Mimrin.
 At American Eagle, buffalo plaid rules. In menswear, it goes back to the outdoorsy roots of the checkerboard plaid--in jackets, lining and woven shirts--but there are more contemporary silhouettes for women, including a fleece-lined hoodie, a shirtdress and bags.
 "For girls, make it modern by teaming a shirt dress with a great pair of skinny jeans and flats, or add a fun bright woven scarf with a black tuxedo blazer and a pair of boy fit jeans and simple heels," suggests LeAnn Nealz, chief design officer.
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