Gingham was made for sunny seasons. Synonymous with picnic blankets and alfresco dining table cloths, often appearing in bright, summery colours, the check fabric has cemented its status as warm-weather-wear across fashion, too. So timeless is the print, it reappears on our style agenda year after year, annually proving its staying power.
Like florals, gingham comes into its own in spring, and while there's no limit to the clothing categories the playful pattern effortlessly adorns, we feel strongly that the best way to wear it is in dress form. Look to Dorothy Gale's iconic blue gingham pinafore dress, worn in The Wizard of Oz, or Brigitte Bardot's pink and white gingham midi dress, worn in place of a traditional wedding dress when she married her second husband. Despite being understated and effortlessly wearable, gingham dresses are no less of a style statement than a drop-waist dress.
While it's easy to veer into school-uniform territory, look for more sophisticated silhouettes that will keep this girlish print feeling grown-up. An elegant mid-length hem and interesting design details – think key-hole cut-outs, tiered skirts and bow embellishments – will add an element of polish, perfectly balancing the playful feel of gingham.
When it comes to occasion, it's easy to dress gingham up or down. A denim jacket and flat sandals will keep your patterned dress feeling cool and casual, while kitten heels and statement earrings will easily take a beach dress into dinner and drinks territory.
When it comes to shopping for a gingham dress on the high street, there's no limit to the endless variations of styles available. One such design that caught our eye was Next's Chocolate Brown Gingham Bandeau Maxi Dress. With its pretty bow-tie spaghetti shoulder straps, a ruched square neckline and gathered panelling across the centre of the bodice promises to enhance – or create – a super flattering silhouette. Plus, its chocolate brown colourway adds extra style points.
Below, shop our favourite gingham dresses around right now:
Nobody's Child Pink and Red Gingham Shirred Charlie Midi Dress
Follow Alex on Instagram.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
