The gingham shirt is the mother of all underrated materials, so it’s not something we see often here in the UK.
Gingham in layman’s terms is basically a dyed cotton fabric, from two different colours, in a traditional check pattern. The pattern usually includes white and a strong primary colour like red or blue to contrast
Gingham is a staple feature of big brands such as Ralph Lauren, GANT and Tommy Hilfiger. Due to its background in the 60s Mod scene it is also prevalent in traditionally English brands such as Ben Sherman, Fred Perry and Pretty Green, so chances are; you may already own a gingham shirt. Not sold yet? Read on.
Gingham’s main selling points are that is is classic and underused, and it’s also very versatile. If you’re someone who enjoys being unique, then a Gingham shirt is the way to go.
How To Wear Gingham
Gingham’s versatility comes from the size of the check patterns. Because they are smaller than a plaid pattern and can be very subtle, there’s nothing they won’t look great next to. Solids are an obvious g- to – such as a red gingham shirt paired with a navy suit and brown penny loafers – but what if that’s a little bit too boring for you?
Mixing patterns can be a risky business but with gingham it becomes a lot easier. The general rule of thumb is to make sure that the patterns you use aren’t the same size as one another. Due to gingham having a micro check pattern, it can be paired perfectly with something as adventurous as a plaid grey blazer or a wide striped black business suit. The same also goes for any of your ties – as long as their stripes or checks are bigger than the shirt and you stick to the golden rule of always having your tie a darker colour.
I think gingham is a classic pattern partly because of its versatility but also because of how much subtlety it can introduce to a look. When considering something as simple as a jeans-shirt-jumper combination, a gingham shirt from underneath a v-neck really adds depth and little bit of foreign flair to the overall aesthetic. Micro-check is especially good for a business environment, because it will compliment everything you already have in your wardrobe and from a distance, will look like a plain solid shirt or tie. This is ideal for those of us who need to adhere to conservative office dress codes but still like to shake things up a bit !
As for wearing it because it’s an underused item, it’s awesome to be able to blend in and stand out in the crowd depending on your mood.
A brilliant way to use two checks of the same size together in a shirt and tie outfit is by having one of the patterns run diagonally (rather than a standard check) to put a very unique spin on pattern mixing.
http://www.landsend.co.uk/Mens_Regular_Slim_Fit_Button-down_Poplin_Shirt/pp/4191308.html?gclid=CKbKyOvTjswCFa0W0wodAvINWQ&tmplaceref=Google&cm_mmc=PLA&istCompanyId=d057ef61-38da-4fd8-8ea2-1181584b93bd&istBid=tztx&istItemId=mxwpiawrp&tmad=c&tmcampid=13&gclsrc=aw.ds
http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/Regular-Fit-Royal-Blue-Gingham-Check-Shirt/55322,en_GB,pd.html?cm_mmc=google-_-ppc_pla_uk-_-ACQ-NBO-GBP-PSE-ACQ-NBO-GBP-PSE-ONLINE-DEF-GOSHO-SDE-_-Home-Shirts&tmad=c&tmcampid=181&tmplaceref=ACQ-NBO-GBP-PSE&tmclickref=ACQ-NBO-GBP-PSE-ACQ-NBO-GBP-PSE-ONLINE-DEF-GOSHO-SDE&src=SHI1995FD&gclid=CO2EnYHUjswCFZAW0wodfrMEZA
http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Smart-Shirt-With-Long-Sleeve-In-Gingham-Check/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5703513&istCompanyId=6f061ed0-7427-4b6c-bb90-987c0bd08468&istItemId=qxxxmipip&istBid=tztx&affid=14173&channelref=product+search&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=74120971327&utm_content=&utm_campaign=&cvosrc=ppc.google.74120971327&network=g&mobile=&search=1&content=&creative=84679775661&ptid=74120971327&adposition=1o21&r=2&mk=ab&gclid=CKOQtaPUjswCFWcq0woddTYDwg
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Raging+Bull+Signature+Gingham+Long+Sleeve+Button+Down+Shirt/218114491,default,pd.html&_$ja=tsid:44970%7Ccid:207315835%7Cagid:10144775035%7Ctid:pla-95693422675%7Ccrid:56046958795%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:8585973674165244503%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:5o6%7Cmt:
http://www.mainlinemenswear.co.uk/product.php?xProd=72451&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=mainline&utm_campaign=shopping&gclid=CPySwcTUjswCFfYV0wodQ3sHUw
http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_080010512243?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=7922085&placmp=SSH_8484183840_258766271_26881352351&mkwid=stwha2uCq%7cpcrid%7c94478551871%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7c%7cpdv%7cc%7cprd%7c7922085&gclid=CI_Pl-DUjswCFcluGwod1z8CcA