Check designs are anything but square

WHETHER it’s blazers, jackets, skirts, trousers or blouses, check is everywhere this season – and it’s here to stay, according to fashion experts. “Check is associated with tradition and heritage,” explains Gerd Mueller-Thomkins from the German Fashion Institute. The oldest piece of material with a check pattern dates back 4,000 years, he says, turning up in everything from Scottish kilts to Chinese mummies. Traditional Scottish tartan is a popular current trend, with many of the latest designs using traditional wool or tweed. Glenplaid – or Prince of Wales check, as it’s often called – is another form of check with a long tradition to look back on. Made using two or more colours, glenplaid is a woven twill design of small and large check. Pepita and houndstooth are two types of check that are easily confused with each other, because they both often come in black and white. But on closer inspection, these two designs differ considerably. Houndstooth is not considered to be a classic check and differs from pepita due to its “broken” check pattern. Pepita, on the other hand, maintains the classic check pattern – albeit in a small format. This year, all types of check are in fashion. “But above all, it’s about Scottish checks combined with variations on check,” says stylist Ritchie Karkowski. “This combination looks especially good when the different patterns stay within the same colour range.” Otherwise, you risk looking too garish.

Another way to wear check is to choose it in a colour that matches your skin tone. Or else go for a complete style break and choose a contrasting colour. “Check patterns in really bright colours are causing a real stir this year,” says Karkowski.

Along with colourful check, traditional black and white check is a major trend. When wearing black and white check, pay attention to accessories and always choose something with colour, such as a pair of bright red boots.

Matching check properly is the way to avoid looking conservative. “I’ve seen a classic glenplaid skirt matched with tennis socks and high heels, for example,” says stylist Lydia Maier.

Maier advises matching the pattern to your figure type. “Large check patterns look best on larger body types, but they look overbearing on smaller women,” she says.

“If you have angular shoulders or an angular face, you should avoid wearing a check top. It will only serve to highlight your angular features.”

If you have an oval face shape, the opposite is true. “For this type, wearing check will provide a nice contrast.” – dpa