When you hear “gingham,” you may think of picnic blankets or kitchen curtains. When I hear it, I think of a classic print with surprising versatility. The two-toned checkered pattern brings to mind grassy lunches, yellow brick roads, and the fabric shops my Grammy used to take me to as a child. It’s the nostalgia of fond memories, paired with its gender neutrality for all ages, that makes gingham such a timeless print. Nowadays, you can find it in various formats, from handbags to dresses to scrunchies, as well as tablecloths and dish towels. To incorporate this summery pattern into your life this season, here are a few styling tips to try out.
First, pair a gingham top with jeans. You can take a modern gingham blouse like Loft’s Gingham Tie Back Keyhole Shell with white jeans and ballerina flats for a very crisp, romantic look for summer nights. Or go more rough and rugged with the same brand’s Pucker Dolman Shirt, distressed or vintage denim, and cowboy boots for a Sunday barbecue. Denim is just as much of a summer classic as gingham, and together, they make a super-cute pairing, especially for dressing the whole family.
If you’re a bit hesitant to dive into the deep end of the gingham pool, then dip a toe in with an accessory or two. Handbags, headscarves, and even socks are subtle yet stylish enough to add a little quirkiness to your look without being gimmicky. Anthropologie’s Gingham Ruffel Hair Clip in six different shades perfectly polishes off a standard sundress and sandals outfit. Gingham bowties like Kohl’s Men’s Bespoke Pre-Tied bow tie can be a standout at this summer’s wedding scene. Or, have some fun with gingham collars for the pets in your life. Dapper Dexter has a light blue gingham bow tie for dogs that is so adorable I just about died.
For those of us who are fully swimming in the gingham pool, since we’re already wet, let’s go with gingham head to toe. You can pair a checkered maxi dress like Asos’s Voile Picini Midi Sundress in red gingham with Anthropologie’s Shiraleah Picnic Slouchy mini bag in a matching print and red slide sandals for a bold statement. To push the summery vibes even further, find red-framed sunglasses and stick on Olive and June’s Pink Checker Party Tab press-on nails for your next outdoor happy hour. If that sounds a little too much, you can still sport a full gingham look with Old Navy’s Linen-Blend Crop Top in blue gingham with the matching High-Waisted Wrap-Front mini skort. Style this matched set with sneakers and a baseball hat for the weekend or flats and a cardigan for the workday.
If you want to work gingham into your summer style between subtle and statement-making, consider pairing it with coordinated neutrals. Quince’s European Linen Pants in black gingham pair chicly with J.Crew Factory’s Classic Cotton Cardigan and matching shell, which, when worn with a heeled loafer, gets the job done in an office setting. Another demure take on a checkered print is Talbot’s Pencil Midi Skirt in pink gingham, paired with a simple white blouse and flat sandals.
What makes gingham such a fun pattern is that once it’s on your mind, you’ll start seeing it everywhere, especially as the summer shifts into high gear. And it’s a print the whole family can wear, whether it’s in small nods like hair clips and bow ties or big and bold swings with head-to-toe checks. Hopefully, you’ll be able to put some of these gingham ideas to use.
