It's official: summer is fully in bloom. What does that mean? Well, apart from setting out to find the perfect nostalgic pair of jelly shoes and strategising ways to make denim work in yet another heatwave, we're also thinking a lot about how to integrate gingham into our wardrobes. Sorry polka dots, but this checkerboard print is officially taking over as the print of the szn.
When we say ‘gingham,’ no, we're not meaning just any old check print (nor are we referring to houndstooth, tartan, or plaid, thank you very much). We're very specifically talking about g-i-n-g-h-a-m: the picnic tablecloth print, turned beloved summer wardrobe pattern.
Lately, gingham has been everywhere, from Olivia Rodrigo's super cute red gingham shirt dress that the singer wore to Wimbledon to Daisy Edgar-Jones rocking a classic black and white gingham mini at this year's Glastonbury and Bella Hadid's gingham bikini from her Frankies Bikinis collaboration. But there are also plenty of other ways to style the trend if you want to branch out from summer dresses and swimwear. Whether it's festival-friendly bloomer shorts (y'know, the ones that have been soooo popular this szn), a voluminous bubble skirt, Sabrina Carpenter-esque retro capris, or even tailoring.
Below, we've rounded up a whopping 15 ways to wear gingham, complete with shopping recs hand-picked by our fashion team. And, yep, we tracked down the perfect gingham bandana for ya... Thank us later!
Gingham midi dress
If you're anything like us, you're always looking for a summer staple that can take you from work meetings, to dinner, to a nice ol' wine bar. And voilà: the gingham midi dress has got your back. Despite the summery pattern, the longer hem length is a bit more formal (dare we say...‘grown up?’) and can work for all manner of occasions depending on your choice of accessories. We'd opt for heeled flip flops or kitten heels for a date/drinks, loafers for work, and jelly shoes for a summery casual day out.
Gingham bikini
Heading on a beach holiday this summer? An easy way to tap into the gingham trend is with gingham swimwear, either a one-piece or a bikini. Despite obviously having a purpose by the beach or pool, depending on the level of support required, bikini tops can also double up as a tiny crop top in a pinch (specifically in a laidback bar, or for a relaxed day of mooching in a resort). Level up your poolside look with a pair of flip flops and a straw sunhat.
Gingham shirt
We love a good shirt. You can style your gingham shirt over a pair of matching gingham bottoms as part of a co-ord (see below!) or use it as an eye-catching top to go with a bottom half of your choosing. White midi skirt, linen trousers, even jeans – the options are endless.
WNU The Classic - Red Gingham Linen Shirt
Gingham bubble skirt
If you are looking to prolong the indie sleaze trend, well, we don't blame you! The late 2000s and early 2010s are a treasure trove of under-explored nostalgia, and a bubble skirt is an easy way to tap into this time period and the era's love affair with maximalist silhouettes (à la the peplum). The trick here is to let the skirt take centre stage, so try your gingham bubble skirt with a short-sleeved tee or a plain tank top.
Gingham shorts
Gingham shorts in any silhouette – be it bloomers, boxers, or Bermudas – can work well in a co-ord with a matching (or contrasting, if you're feeling wild) gingham shirt for a nice lunch date or a cute day out. You can also style with a baseball cap, t-shirt and trainers for a more low-key, comfy look. Or, style with a peasant blouse and stick on a pair of cowboy boots for a Westerncore take.
Gingham bandana
Bandanas and headscarves, particularly in gingham, are a major hair look this summer. They work well with festival attire like handkerchief tops and short-shorts, with a more westerncore look like denim shorts and cowboy boots, or even your bikini.
Gingham co-ord
What goes better with gingham than gingham?! It seems the high street agrees, with endless cute checkered co-ords around right now. We love a shirt and boxer shorts set, but the easiest way to wear a gingham co-ord is in the form of a top and skirt combo. Obsessed!
Gingham capris
Gingham can serve major retro vibes, and nowhere is this truer than when applied to gingham capri pants. Capri pants have had a major resurgence this summer for their ‘90s energy, but a pair in gingham throws it back even further, channelling a Sabrina Carpenter 1960s nostalgia. Rock yours with some matching headgear, a crop top, and some espadrilles for a party-perfect, TikTok-ready look for when you're bopping around to Sabrina's latest single on the dance floor.
Gingham mini dress
If you're meeting friends or a date for an al fresco dinner or cocktails, a gingham mini dress can be a great option. There are so many different variations, from a more structured, strappy gingham dress to a short and sweet cutesy, gingham, mini dress with a peter pan collar. Regardless of the style, you can tap into a western/prairiecore vibe with a pair of cowboy boots or go more preppy with a pair of ballet flats or Mary Janes.
Gingham top
There's a reason that 'jeans and a nice top' was a generation's guiding motto for assembling an outfit: it just works! With a gingham top, you can easily summer-ify a pair of jeans, and bring a bit of sunshine to your outfit even if the British weather necessitates a more sensible fit. However, you can also go full gingham and try a pair of gingham trousers in a contrasting colour, styled with some sandals.
Gingham trousers
If you're looking for a statement summer wardrobe piece, look no further. On holiday, everyone needs a lightweight pair of trousers, and selecting a gingham pair in an eye-catching colour is a great outfit hack. Dress up with statement jewellery and a strappy top and sandals, dress down with a pair of Birkenstocks, a denim jacket and a simple tee.
Gingham jacket
It may be summer, but we still need a cover-up from time to time. A gingham jacket works perfectly for chillier or rainy days when styled with regular capri pants and a t-shirt, or with a full gingham look (bonus points for contrasting colours). This one's great for the weekends or for nippy evenings on holidays.
Gingham tailoring
‘Gingham’ and ‘tailoring’ aren't words that immediately seem to go together, but, like with salt and caramel, plus other unlikely yet iconic duos, they work together perfectly. From blazers to waistcoats or smart trousers, there are a number of gingham tailoring options out there, which tend to work well when styled with smart sandals, loafers or ballet flats (the latter in leather/pleather, not mesh or jelly, if you're going into the office). We recommend opting for either a larger check and/or darker colours to make this one work-appropriate, if that's your aim.
Gingham midi skirt
Midi skirts are big news this summer, so tick off two trends in one with a gingham iteration. No matter the skirt silhouette you opt for – A-line, peasant, boho, pencil – stick to a simple top, like a block colour tee (slogan or graphic print, options) to let the print take centre stage. Add a pair of sandals and you've got the ideal look for a garden party, dinner at a friend's house, or a particularly trendy BBQ.
Gingham scrunchie
Scrunchies are a fave for a reason, a way of delivering a fun hair look even when you're between washes. When it comes to the gingham trend, a fun hair accessory in the pattern can be an easy way to dip your toe in and see if the look works for you. Try it in a bright colour to inject some boldness into an otherwise low-key look.
Megan Wallace (they/them) is Cosmopolitan UK’s Former Sex and Relationships Editor covering sexual pleasure, sex toys, LGBTQIA+ identity, dating and romance. They have covered sexuality and relationships for over five years and are the founder of the PULP zine, which publishes essays on culture and sex. In their spare time, they can be found exploring the London kink scene and planning dates on Feeld.
