Is check pattern still trendy? vintage check in menswear

Who do we owe check to? 

Mostly Scots! The multicolored layout of lines intersecting at the right angle once represented a regional attire of Scottish clans. Official outfits of members of great Scottish families differed from each other in form, colors and kinds of check arrangements. The Scots wore them with pride as a symbol of affiliation to their own clans.  

Checked fabric was interestingly named tartan. Symbolic patterns of Scottish families penetrated into other cultures but a certain type of check for the involved ones, has always been associated with their original place of birth. Motif of Scottish tartan was used to create unique and iconic Burberry pattern. 

In 18th century tartan was incorporated into military uniform of Scottish Army under the command of James Francis during Edward Stuart rebellion. Black Watch check was included into uniforms of Scottish military divisions. 

More than just one pattern! Vichy, houndstooth check, windowpane...

On the catwalks we can see plenty of different styles and colorways of check pattern - Scottish tartan is just one of them, obviously. A combination of two contrasting colors is on the warp yarns and always along the grain - name of that kind of check fabric derives from Vichy - French town famous from its production. 

Border tartan however originated from the borderline of Scottish pastoral areas adjacent to England - its structure is defined by perpendicular stripes linked by diagonal weaving technique - as a result it looks as if evenly placed light and dark squares were surrounded by tiny, diagonal stripes. 

Popularized by Coco Chanel houndstooth check is a complicated pattern created by tessellation. It occurs in white and black and it’s a the most classic colorway. The easiest checks to create are windowpane and tattersall - they are formed by thin and delicate lines in one or two colors. 

Prince of Wales chic 

One of the most specific check patterns - of which different renditions are present on the runways - is so-called the Prince of Wales check. That pattern is most often found on three-piece casual suits. The name of the Prince of Wales check is taken from Edward VIII who favored Glenurquahart check. Really thin and narrow white and black stripes are alternating with invisible from distance stripes in reflective shades to create a crossing pattern of irregular checks. 

Regardless of the pattern, color, structure or texture - men’s fashion allows any incarnation of male check. No matter if it is present on grunge flannel shirts or avant-garde coats from Gucci or Bottega Veneta.