Check Mate

Gingham is one type of print you will see throughout this spring. Whether you get your fashion inspiration from runways, magazines or boutiques you don’t have to go far to see that it is raining gingham all over the catwalks, roadways, sidewalks and even waterways

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

 

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

Balmain SS15

Lela Rose SS15 RTW

Lela Rose SS15 RTW

Luisa Beccaria SS15 RTW

Michael Kors SS15 RTW

 

Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific

Taylor Swift

Rihanna

The history of gingham, which is made of cotton or linen, is vast and quite interesting. What I found out about it has led me to have an entirely new understanding of what I have long thought of as just another type of print. Gingham is so much more than that. Gingham was manufactured in Malaysia, Indonesia and India way back in the day but of course in the 17th century and subsequently the 18th century Europeans and Americans fell in love with the textile and adapted it into their own fashion cultures. In some countries, it was and still is simply a textile used to make towels while in other countries it is used to make all manner of fashionable garments.

One of the most interesting things I learned about gingham is that one side of this textile mirrors the other. In other words, there is no right or wrong side. I sometimes do like grey areas. Don’t you. Why choose a side if you don’t want to? After all, wouldn’t life be boring if everything was black or white? Even those of us whom like to dress in black or white, whether on occasion or all the time, like to add a pop of color to our look. My pop of color comes in the form of a bag and shoes usually but let me not digress. A gingham print can include a bold color like red or a non-color, like black. It can be the perfect check mate for solid shades, other prints and even make your outfit glow when it is in the form of a sheer print.

Source

 

If you aren't really into wearing checks all over just give your audience a glimpse of your check mate.  Did I say glimpse? See below and you will find that just a glimpse of gingham can be so divine.

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

 

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

Richard Nicholl Resort15

DVF SS15 RTW

DVF SS15 RTW

You can actually get the best of both worlds with gingham. Black and white print gingham is so in right now. Gingham may be more associated with blue and white or red and white print but not anymore. It is the 21st century, after all, and things are meant to naturally evolve. If you love fashion as much as I do, and you must if you are reading this right now, you may sometimes feel like you are a quick-change artist as it were. I certainly do. One day, I may wear jeans and a blazer and the next a skirt and blouse. The great thing about gingham is that it may be a vintage textile but it has modern day sensibilities. It just fits somehow. It works when paired with solids other prints and even comes in many more color combinations than the traditional white and red and blue and red I referenced earlier. Check this out. No pun intended, of course.

Oscar de la Renta SS15 RTW; Source

 

Source



Luisa Beccaria SS15 RTW


 

Temperley London SS15 RTW

One of the most common gingham prints this spring is pink and white. So if you want to let your feminine side fly high one day why not wear a pink and white gingham dress one day and the next when you are feeling bolder just break out a black and white gingham top. Regardless, of how you choose to adapt to the gingham style this spring I am certain of one thing. You undoubtedly will be noticed, in a good way, of course. Gingham print has an elegant way of standing out in a crowd of solids.

Bottega Veneta SS15 RTW

Bottega Veneta SS15 RTW

I previously thought of gingham as rather a cute print but I can honestly state, right now, that cute is no longer the adjective that comes to mind when I think of gingham. Not only are there so many colors that pair with white to make up gingham but the size of the gingham prints has certainly expanded to double and even triple the size it was back in the good old days.

Oscar de la Renta SS15 RTW

Leandra Medina

 

Why wouldn’t I grow rather fond of a textile that is the same exact print on both sides, includes one of my favorite shades (white) and comes in an array of print sizes?  What do you say? Are you going to make gingham prints your check mate this season? I do like to read your comments so bring them on.

DVF SS15 RTW

 

DVF SS15 RTW; Source

DVF SS15 RTW

DVF SS15 RTW

DVF SS15 RTW; Source

DVF SS15 RTW; Source

Tsumori Chisato SS15 RTW

Tsumori Chisato SS15 RTW

Before I go, I must give homage to the great Lucille Ball who always looked like a domestic goddess in her gingham frocks and to Elizabeth Taylor who shined bright like a diamond in a gingham shirt. Wouldn't you say? Goodbye for now, my dear friends.

 
Credit: Most of the images featured here were sourced from Pinterest except where indicated.