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Combining check patterns

Check patterns have established themselves as real evergreens in the wardrobe. They can be styled in new and different ways.
Here you can find out which checked pattern combinations will get you through the cold season.

outfits in checked patterns

Checked patterns become a very special highlight on grey days - whether on robust lumberjack shirts, casual check blousedresses, checked indoor jackets or coats made of high-quality wool mix qualities. Want to know how to combine them? And what are the different types of checks? Then follow our check guide for cool outfit ideas and lots of check know-how.

Coarse checked buffalo look

OUTFIT #1

The highlight of this outfit is the shirt jacket with a buffalo check. Cut like a shirt but with a much thicker and warmer fabric, this so-called overshirt is a real hybrid style for your wardrobe. The rugged overshirt with grey and rust-coloured buffalo check is perfect for the transitional season and can be worn from autumn through winter until early spring thanks to the heavy flannel material and the slightly brushed and thus soft surface. The Buffalo check creates a plaid with large blocks formed by brown and black woolen blend yarns.  

We combine the overshirt with grey denim jeans and sporty mid-cut sneakers in high-quality suede. Under the checked shirt jacket, a new and different idea of styling this look is to wear a colour-coordinated turtleneck shirt. Over this, a sporty waistcoat completes the roughly checked layer look. Now all you need is a warming knitted scarf and a backpack made of roughly washed canvas. And off you go!

Cosy checked layered look

OUTFIT #2

This cotton shirtdress made from lightweight flanell in a purple check pattern makes cool days much cozier. The loose and relaxed fit offers plenty of styling options: The checked shirtdress can be worn open with a T-shirt underneath or closed. If you get cold easily, wrap yourself in a hoodie in addition to the checked shirtdress - or put on a long quilted waistcoat with hood. A pair of slim fit jeans can be worn as a matching piece, as well, when you want to wear a checked blouse instead of the shirtdress. You see, there are countless possible combinations. Now slip into a pair of sneakers with a purple accent and head outside.

Casual checked denim look

OUTFIT #3

You prefer it classic? No problem either. We combine the dark blue checked shirt for men with sturdy denim jeans and dark brown Chelsea boots. 

Depending on the wind and weather, we wear a brown blouson with stand-up collar or a beige, lightly padded quilted waistcoat over our checked outfit. Both pick up the colour scheme of the check stripes exactly. Just like the brown cotton cap that rounds off the casual outfit for men. This way, you can head out for outdoor adventures in a casual style.

Big-size check combination

OUTFIT #4

Rough, jet-black leather boots, stretchy slim-fit jeans and a casual hooded coat in wool blend with extended back length and oversized checks: with this outfit, nothing stands in the way of your outdoor adventure. The enlarged scale of the shaded check and the felted feel of the fabric make this piece a fashion highlight in our collection. We combine it with a jet black cross bag with a sporty shoulder strap and either a white shirt or a beige cotton jumper. All three pieces are ideal essentials. Perfect, because the checked coat and the boots draw all eyes to themselves! If you want to be even more sporty, go for the checked shirt jacket instead of the coat at the cloakroom.

Your guide through the checked pattern jungle

Which check patterns are there?

Prince of Wales, Vichy and tartan: Here you will find the definitions of the most important types of checked patterns.

Tartan - at home in the Highlands

The traditional Scottish tartan pattern comes in countless variations. No wonder, as every Scottish clan, even every region and town, has its very own tartan pattern. This consists of many checks in two or more colours - with single and double stripes - closely strung together and woven together.

Pepita - Small checks big time

The mostly black and white pattern of the fabric consists of small checks in diagonal connection. If the checks are no larger than one centimetre, it is called pepita. We prefer to combine the fabric design with single dots of colour or quite classically in black and white. Related to pepita is also the houndstooth pattern and Vichy check.

Vichy check, peasant check and gingham pattern - 1 pattern, 3 names

The Vichy check, also known as gingham pattern or peasant check, makes many people think of picnic blankets and traditional costume fashion. But the small checked fabric design is anything but old-fashioned. Usually two colours dominate this plaid pattern. Blue and red tones in combination with white are particularly popular. These overlap in colour stripes of equal width to form the typical Vichy squares. They are more intensively coloured at cross points. The origin of the Vichy check pattern is not clearly known. However, the French spa town of Vichy is considered to have given the check its name.

Buffalo check - the wild variation of the check pattern

The buffalo check stands out because of its strikingly large blocks. These are formed by crossing two different coloured yarns - typically red and black.

Prince of Wales check - Check pattern in blue-blooded design

The Prince of Wales check pattern was invented in the 14th century in honour of the Prince of Wales: Edward II of England. The elegant fabric design is easily recognisable by the contrasting overcheck that runs over the fine chequered pattern. In shades of yellow and blue, it criss-crosses the large check fields.

Argyle - check pattern in diamond shape

Checkered diamonds dominate this check pattern. Probably the best-known variation of the pattern is the argyle pattern. According to legend, this comes from the Scottish county of Argyll. The argyle fabric gets its special look from the superimposed diamonds in which the crossed lines run in a contrasting colour. The pattern is therefore made for lovers of colourful checks.

How do I combine a check pattern?

Ready to add a checked pattern to your wardrobe? Then here a 4 tips on how you can combine the trendy fabric pattern.

 

  • Tip #1: Pick up one colour of the checked pattern in the rest of your outfit and always stay in the same colour family. This will give your look a harmonious look.
  • Tip #2: Want to play it safe? Then combine striking checked pattern garments with plain basics.
  • Tip #3: Checked patterns and denim always go together. They are made for each other.
  • Tip #4: The brave combine checked patterns with other fabric patterns. But be careful: you need to be sensitive here. One possible combination: marry simple, clean checked patterns with graphic patterns like stripes, allover prints or polka dots.

When did the checked pattern originate?

Fabrics with checked patterns have a long tradition. As early as 100 BC, the historian Siculus wrote about the Celts: "They dressed very conspicuously: cloaks adorned with a brightly coloured cube pattern served as a coverlet." The Celts seem to have passed on their penchant for checks to their Scottish descendants.

 

The first "tartans" were created by weaving light and dark sheep's wool into one fabric. Like the colouring of the sheep, the checked fabric patterns varied from region to region. So it became a tradition that each Scottish region and clan adorned itself with its very own tartan pattern.

Here you can find our check styles:

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