Elle's White Plaid Pants Are Beyond Cool

Dressing for work or school isn't always that exciting. Professional can sometimes translate into "blah" when it comes to fashion, but it doesn't have to be that way. According to The Daily Mail, Elle Fanning rocked plaid pants during her visit to SiriusXM studios in New York and showed us how all covered up looks so darn cool.

The 17-year-old stopped by the radio station to promote her latest movie, About Ray, and took a break from her flirty summer dresses to rock the coolest pair of pants I've seen in a while. Fanning paired the white plaid trousers with a navy blue turtleneck, proving that work/professional wear can still make serious style statements. The drapey blouse and wide-legged pants plus a pair of chunky brown clogs was the more polished way to do the '70s trend (it's not all about those boho dresses), and her take on it makes me seriously excited to revamp my fall work wardrobe.

Elle also kept the look from being too stiff and buttoned-up (figuratively speaking, that is) by wearing her hair in loose, undone waves. It helped bring an ease and relaxed feel to the separates. And I'm not even ashamed that I'm taking style advice from a 17-year-old.

Here are the gorgeous pants she rocked from Derek Lam 10 Crosby. They'll cost you a pretty penny — $395 to be exact.

But for more affordable alternatives, here are a few plaid pants you might want to consider for fall to get the same look.

1. Theory

This silk pair is light enough to wear in the late summer. (Silk Check Pants; $129.99; saksoff5th.com).

2. UNIQLO

A cropped pair keeps things a little more casual. (Ankle Length Pants; $39.90; uniqolo.com).

3. Classiques

All white not your thing? Try a grey pair. (Clara Plaid Pants; $136; nordstrom.com).

Images: UNIQLO; Saks Off 5th; Nordstrom; wdfashions/Instagram