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It’s been a little while since we’ve talked about prints. Animal prints and tie dye are still big players however, checkerboard is the new prevailing queen. You’ll see why I used the word “queen” in just a minute. But first, let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?
Where we’ve seen checks:
1. Italian Restaurants: Was I the only one fixated on the checkered red and white table cloth during the iconic spaghetti kiss in Lady and the Tramp?
2. Graph Paper: This is the trendiest thing about math. All the right angles in a checkered print allow for precision when representing data on old school pen and paper.
3. Skate Culture: Running in conjunction with the grunge time period, thick black and white checked pants, suspenders, belts, and of course, flat Vans slide ons were all the rage in alternative circles. Now we see checks go mainstream.
4. Nascar Flags: The reason Nascar flags are checkered black and white? It’s easy to see from a distance. I think we should all dress eye-catching.
5. Hairspray: In the final number Tracy Turnblad, the poster child for integration in 1960s Baltimore, makes an entrance in a sparkly black and white checkered dress. The costume designers utilize checkers to symbolize unity and equality of races. A theme we could use some reintroduction to.
Why Now?
Debuted on Netflix in the last quarter of 2020 The Queen’s Gambit quickly became one of the most influential shows of the year because The Queen’s Gambit did the unspeakable. It made chess cool. Based on the 1983 novel by Walter Tevis, the show follows an orphan girl from Kentucky through her adult life in the 1960s - becoming a chess champion. The show was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and has movie-quality cinematography. Not only does everyone now want to learn how to play chess, they want to be the board by wearing checkered print via clothing and accessories.
Checks are the plaid flannels for spring. And seeing how it snows literally every week this year, this is genius. We want to dress for spring, for the new season ahead, but also want to be warm in these lackluster temps. Checkered print is a simple version of a type of plaid. It consists of only two colors in a perfect grid formation. Explore the many pastel combos of spring with the help of checks. I’ve always been biased towards a baby pink and white checkered print but soft sage or pale yellow and white checks get us excited for that first spring blossom!
Two Main Ways to Wear:
As far as I am concerned there are two main ways to style checks. You can go with A. a soft feminine 1950s summer leisure vibe or B. a punk over-the-top 1980s look. Each person can and should try both!
Starting with the girlier style of the two, double up on the check prints by mixing and matching two colors! This Lee Matthews dress goes from sweet (see crinkled neckline) to unexpected by sectioning the dress via color. You’ll be seeing more full skirts and dresses that range from just below the knee to ankle length this spring season. Checks are a great way to ensure the detailing of a bigger fabric skirt does not get lost. Combine the square necklines, side ties and cutouts of today, with a halter shape, a true handbag, and t-strap sandals, of yesteryears.
Aside from colorblocking, designers make check printed pieces special by adding floral embroidery on top. Black and white tight checks with embroidered fruit like cherries and strawberries reminds me of the photoshoot Katy Perry did for her first album, One of the Boys. If you're not a dress or a skirt person, or live in a colder climate, I also love a wider check on a double breasted coat. This one by Anouki is the perfect season-all color! I’m drooling!
The other main styling technique consists less of tiny light-hue baby checks and more of loud, thick black and white squares. Black and white is probably the most widely worn color combo but, that doesn’t mean it's boring or even over-done. You can make black and white bold. Go all in with a fun structured jacket complete with padded shoulders and scrunched leg of mutton sleeves. Corset tops, bodice boning, and lingerie styles in general, get us excited thanks to shows about royalty, like Bridgerton. It is the perfect opportunity to combine two 2021 trends by searching for a corset made your way in checkered print. I especially love when people get trendy with their beachwear, and hope to see many underwired checkered bikini tops this summer.
When wearing this high-visibility print we want ruffles, we want volume but, of course, there are ways to ease into 80s style checks. Checkered Kurt Cobain sunglasses will make you feel like a 21st century rockstar. A flannel checkered scrunchie can casually get your hair out of the way or be the focus of your whole look.
Next time someone asks you: “Do you want the check?” You now know the answer is yes.
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