7 ways you can level up your sartorial game with checks
by Sanjeeva Suresh /
July 17, 2020
Photo: Getty
The check print goes back way before the ’90s (yes, it predates the era of grunge and punk) and Burberry is perhaps the biggest fashion brand that made a name off of check. In the 1920s Burberrysaw its brand breakthrough with the use of Scottish tartan sewn into coats with a beige base, accented with the colours black, red and white.
Checks (or plaid) would later find its way into the subversive punk subculture where it became a mainstay in high fashion labels like Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier.
The checked print has now found its way into the closets of many men and here are 7 ways you can level up your sartorial game.
If your closet is already bursting with shirts, not invest in a checked blazer to amp up your wardrobe? This Brunello Cucinelli jacket (right) has a loose fit with notch lapels and a single-breasted fastening and will definitely let you stand out in a crowd.
Why play it safe? A head-to-toe checked suit is a surefire way to get you the attention you want. This three-piece Gucci suit (right) is made of tartan-checked wool twill woven with the house’s signature motifs with tapered-leg trouser with overlocked cuffs.
If the usual plaid is boring, go for something unique like this patchwork shirt from Burberry (right). The deconstructed, striking patchwork patterns lend you street cred instantly.
Keep your ensemble fresh and unexpected with some playful separates if you’re bored of the regular long-sleeved shirt and trousers combo, like this checked blazer and shorts seen on Numero 00’s spring/summer 2020 runway (left)? Burberry has a similar print and it goes perfectly well with a bright short-sleeved shirt or a bold coloured tee.
Plaid has a place in street style and Officine Générale (right) provides the ideal alternative. This one is made of lightweight cotton-blend twill and it is ideal for layering with tactile knits. Pair it with a cap and your favourite denim jeans and you’re good to go.
Think out of the box with your style choices. An extended hem on a shirt adds another dimension to your outfit. Palmer//Harding’s (right) black and white Paul shirt looks like a tunic, and comes with sharp jacquard-woven checks. Elevate the look with a pair of classic black leather loafers as seen on this street style look (left).
