2 Ways I Styled My Favorite Fall Skirt: The Plaid Mini

There are certain pieces in a wardrobe that quietly become the anchor. They slip into your routine without demanding attention, yet somehow end up being the thing you reach for again and again. This Gibson and Latimer Glen Plaid Mini from Dillard’s has officially become that piece for me.

It is simple but special. A little vintage. A little academic. A little like something you would have found in a dreamy fall fashion spread years ago. And the best part is the versatility. One skirt, endless outfit combinations. That is the kind of styling I love. Not buying more, but reimagining what I already own. Playing with textures, layers, and color stories until something new emerges.

This week, I built two completely different outfits around this skirt, and each one felt like its own mood. That is what great foundational pieces allow you to do. They let you express different sides of your style without reinventing everything.

Let’s start with the first look.

Look One

Structured Layers and My Favorite Traveling Work Bag

The first outfit is very “meetings, travel days, work events, and coffee shop brainstorming sessions.” It has structure, but it still feels warm and approachable.

The Base

The Glen Plaid Mini pairs beautifully with the Quince Stretch Silk V-Neck Cami in Wine. It is sold out now, but if it comes back, I highly recommend it. It drapes so softly against the wool plaid.

The Layer

The Alex Marie Anastasia Jetset-Tech Super Stretch Blazer from Dillard’s has one of the best fits I have found. It sharpens the outfit instantly but moves with you, which makes a big difference.

The Details

The Vince Camuto black and gold belt adds structure and ties the tones together.

My shoes are the Jeffrey Campbell Hurricane Block Heel Chelsea Rain Boots in maroon. They were originally from Nordstrom and can now be found on resale sites. They look nothing like rain boots and somehow go with everything.

For tights, I am wearing the Toast fleece-lined sheer illusion tights by Noosh. They look polished but feel incredibly warm.

The Bag

The Multitasker Bag in Berry by Poppy and Peonies is my everything bag. It holds my laptop, DSLR camera, Stanley cup, planner, and about a dozen other things. It is structured, beautiful, functional, and honestly my favorite bag I have ever owned.

The Little Details

My phone case is the Velvet Caviar Burgundy 1990 case and my jewelry is by Kendra Scott, which always adds the perfect touch without overpowering the outfit.

This whole look feels like my version of a power suit.

Look Two

Textured Jacket and a Planner Full of Fresh Ideas

The second outfit is cozier and more creative. Perfect for mornings when you want to ease into the day but still feel intentional.

The Jacket

The Steve Madden Deirdra High Collar Jacket from Eccentrics Boutique in Carterville adds so much personality. The sleeves are bold and voluminous, the brown tone is beautiful, and the whole piece feels warm and sculptural.

The Same Plaid Mini

Here’s where the versatility really shows. The same Glen Plaid Mini shifts easily into a softer, cozier fall outfit just by changing the top layer. The colors work perfectly together.

The Boots

I wore Vince Camuto tall boots in Dark Mahogany (originally from Nordstrom and now sold out). They are chic, comfortable, and the perfect height with a mini skirt.

And of course, the Toast tights by Noosh make a second appearance.

The Planner

In this look, I am holding one of my favorite things in the world: my planner. I look forward to choosing a new one every year. It is where all my ideas live first before they become reality.

My current one is the Blue Sky Day Designer 2026 Daily and Monthly Planner from Target. Clean. Simple. Inspiring.

Why I Love This Skirt

Two completely different outfits. One skirt. That is where the magic is.

This Glen Plaid mini is the perfect foundational piece. It gives you enough structure to feel polished, but enough personality to make styling it fun. I love the challenge of taking one piece and imagining all the ways it can shift. A blazer one day. A voluminous jacket the next. Silk, knits, boots, booties. The combinations are endless.

Reimagining outfits is one of my favorite creative outlets. It reminds me that style is not about collecting more. It is about seeing new possibilities in what you already have.

A Special Thank You

These photos were taken at ethOs, a coworking and entrepreneurial community in Marion that offers meeting spaces, workshops, incubator support, coaching, and guidance for small businesses and nonprofits. I was the first annual member when they opened, and it is still one of my favorite creative spaces. You can learn more about their work here: https://www.ethosmarion.org/home

And a special shoutout to my photographer, my cousin Mallory Minor, who captured these looks so beautifully. Creating in a space that has shaped so much of my own growth made this shoot feel full circle in the best way.

If you recreate one of these outfits or build your own look around a favorite piece in your closet, send me a photo. I would love to see your style and how you make it your own.