If there's one thing we all know about the (in)famous plaid pattern, it has got to be the fact that it easily conjures up a whole bunch of stereotypes. A plaid shirt or blouse can easily put people in mind of a lumberjack, while a pleated plaid skirt will make you look like an Avril Lavigne-wannabe with a bad sense of fashion - not to mention the whole "naughty schoolgirl" implications that will make most of us blush. If you decide that you look good in a pair of plaid pants, again, people may easily believe you've been in a coma for at least a decade and never learned that the grunge era is effectively over.

And still, this summer, designers such as Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Ferragamo or Armani put plaid-clad models on the catwalk and rocked this print on everything from skirts and bags to trench-coats and baby-doll dresses. What are we girls to do, then? The answer to that question is, go light. Plaid goes well with chic, lightweight pieces such as blouses or playful shorts. It also works well on more classic pieces such as an A-line skirt that reaches just above the knee or a timeless blazer - not to mention the staple, classic Burberry bag. However, unless you're the same age as Miley Cyrus, don't go for the plaid short skirt.

Avoid the large-patterned plaid if you've got a full figure, as it will make you look bulky and stocky. Instead, go for coats and skirts with a tighter pattern and a defined waist. Be extremely suspicious if you decide to try on a pair of plaid trousers, as they can very easily make even lean girls look buxom. Mid-sized patterns work best, whether on tops or dresses. They lighten up the fabric, and make any basic, otherwise unremarkable piece acquire an instant "pop" feel. Pastel plaids will work well for long summer days, and so do satin fabrics for evening wear - just don't overdo it and let your inner sense of style tell you when you look a little too much like the kitchen tablecloth.