SS17 runway trend: Check mates and gingham gangs

Small-scale checks are proving to be print and pattern favourites on at least three of the Big Four runways (and who knows what Paris will bring?)

Surprisingly versatile, these checks SS17-style, run through the full range of looks starting with Bardot-influenced ginghams for a sexy ingenue edge or a look that underlines the extremely simplicity of a skinny vest dress or Capri pants.

It’s a pattern statement we find across a wide number of product categories from shirts, crop tops, skirts, dresses (casual day and grand evening or red carpet work just as well as each other).

But cute gingham doesn’t have it all its own way. Slightly larger multicolour-but-tonal checks look strong for casual and career daywear while oversized ginghams and blanket checks are powerful options for outerwear.

We’re also seeing updates on pre-season’s favourite black and white chequered flag prints with a move away from traditional colours and more mixed checks. Hanging on the coat-tails of the mixed print trend, multi-sizes and colours are worked together, turned on their sides and generally scattered through a print mash-up that also includes florals, stripes, scenic and psychedelic prints.

It’s all a sign that this often-most-classic and core pattern story is both a trend winner for the season and a far-from-basic basic.