Gingham: Bringing Back a Classic
Floral and other fun prints bring to mind laid-back picnics with friends. But something screams summertime making every fashion girl go on board with its revival: gingham prints!
A gingham print adds a classy twist to every outfitof-the-day, perfect for warmer weather but can be very versatile as it also goes well with those with an edgier style. Gingham originated in Southeast Asian countries which came from the Malayan word, “genggang” meaning striped – yes, striped.
Gingham might look like a contrasting-check shirt, but it actually resembles a striped 500-year-old fabric that eventually lost its significant stripes. It has retained its name when it arrived in the Western world. In the 18th century, manufacturers in Manchester, England, influenced by tartans and plaids, took the fabric and refrained from the stripes in favor of the United Kingdom’s renowned checked pattern.
The feature with which many people identify gingham is its checked pattern, but it is primarily distinguished for its fabric being ‘dyed in yarn’, meaning the yarn is dyed before it is woven. Gingham is also known to be essentially reversible as it is marked by having the colored yarns (the warp) going against the uncolored ones (the weft) to be able to create a lightweight texture on both sides.
It is, however, not only restricted to Sunday dresses. Gingham today is seen literally everywhere – from maxi dresses, lace-up sandals, shoulder bags to bikinis. This neat and playful pattern is one of the most recognizable fabrics in the world, and indeed forges an integral part in spring and summer landscapes.