The checkered pattern has vertical and horizontal lines that cross each other to form shapes, usually resembling a box or a square. Various types of checks exist, and you have to look closely before you can differentiate them. Checkered pattern fabrics are great for all seasons, morning and evening, and suit plenty of styles and trends. Thus, understanding checkered pattern types and how to mix and match them is important.
Checkered Pattern - The Different Types of Checks
Checks can add style to bedsheets, clothes, socks, blankets, ties, and more because the fabric is made of two or more different colors. With many types of checks, let’s talk about some of the most common ones you’ll find in the market or probably what you already have in your closet.
Argyle
Most commonly seen in socks and sweaters, argyle is a check pattern that creates diamond shapes that make them appear very elegant. That is why they give out a formal vibe.
Buffalo
Like the gingham checkered pattern, buffalo has two tones and resembles the chess board because one of the colors is black and the squares are large. You typically see this pattern in casual shirts and home furnishing. Some tailors also use buffalo patterned fabrics in suits for formal and business affairs.
Checkerboard
As one of the types of checks that will never go out of style, the checkerboard comes with equally sized squares. It has two squares of different colors, such as black and white, gray and blue, and black and red, placed alternately to create a pattern that looks like a chessboard.
Dupplin
The dupplin checkered pattern comes with a combination of two checks: the windowpane and another type of simple check, usually the houndstooth. As such, they appear like checks within checks. It’s a kind of pattern that has a straightforward and casual style.
Gingham
As one of the most iconic and common check patterns, the gingham comes in two colors, with white being one of which. You usually see it in aprons, table cloths, and napkins. When used in clothes, they are perfect for both casual and formal wear.
Glen
Also known as the Prince of Wales types of checks, this pattern has irregularly sized, randomly distributed squares with alternate light and dark stripes. It is common in officewear and suit fabrics.
Graph
When you look at this pattern, you’ll be reminded of the graph paper. It has pencil-thin, solid lines made of one color, creating single, “unfilled” squares against a white background. The graph check pattern is ideal for formal attires, workwear, and daytime casual outwear.
Gun Club
Workwear, casual, and home t-shirts typically have a gun club check pattern. The double-check variety has alternating lines of two or more different dark colors, usually red-brown, black, and pine green, against a light background.
Houndstooth
Mostly considered a sub-category of the shepherd’s check, they almost look alike. The difference is that houndstooth has pointed and notched squares with broken, uneven lines, so they look like canine teeth.
In the past, you’ll find houndstooth patterned black-and-white outfits and accessories that are mainly suited for the fall season and work. Nowadays, you can find them in a variety of colors that can match every season and work and informal settings.
Ichimatsu
Commonly used in kimonos, two squares with different colors are alternately placed to create a checkered pattern. You can compare it to the checkerboard pattern, but the squares have designs inside them.
Madras
Another checkered pattern with unevenly shaped and spaced squares, madras also has various vibrant colors intersecting each other. It’s usually found on fabrics to make summer outfits, scarves, blankets, and more. For clothes with madras checks, they’re perfect for casual wear.
Mini
Mini checks have sizes in between gingham and pin that you can usually find on suit fabrics, making them the perfect choice for business meetings, formal events, and regular office attire. That said, you can also find casual wear with the mini checkered pattern type.
Pin
As an understated but sophisticated type of check pattern, the pin has tiny squares or stripes with a thickness of approximately one or two yarns. Aptly named, they resemble pins or dots when you look at the patterns from afar. This pattern also generally has two colors: white background and any other color.
With its intricacy, depth, and texture, clothes made of fabric with the pin check pattern are excellent for formal occasions and work.
Shepherd
Shepherd is another kind of checkered pattern that closely resembles the gingham. The difference is that this pattern is set against a twill weaving backdrop. Suitable for light outerwear and formal wear, items with this pattern are usually made from suit and flannel materials.
Tattersall
Somewhat similar to windowpane and graph checkered patterns, tattersall has two or more alternating thin lines with dark to light colors that give it a dynamic vibe. You’ll usually see these regularly spaced squares in lightweight fabrics standard for making spring and summer clothes, blankets, and more.
Windowpane
Windowpane appears quite similar to the graph pattern, but the squares are a little larger and widely spaced. It has thin, light-colored lines that contrast the background’s color. This two-tone check pattern is common for winter outfits and accessories.
Mixing and Matching Checkered Patterns
To make the most out of your checkered fabric-made items, you must learn how to mix and match them, whether that may be your outfit or inside your home.
Outfits
Undoubtedly, you can find many wearable items made of checkered fabrics, such as:
- Clothes: T-shirts, sweaters, coats, jackets, blazers, skirts, shorts, and pants
- Accessories: Hats, bandanas, headbands, turbans, ties, scarves, socks, shawls, handkerchiefs, and shoes
Since fabrics with check patterns come with one or more colors, they’re quite challenging to mix and match if you have no idea what you’re doing. Experts say otherwise, though, as they claim that checks are one of the easiest patterns to mix and match. To become an expert on wearing clothes and accessories with checkered patterns, below is a guide to help you out.
Plain and Checkered Pattern
Suppose you plan to match a checkered top with a plain bottom or vice versa and plain clothing with a checkered accessory or vice versa. In that case, experts recommend that the checkered item you choose should have one color that complements or matches the color of the plain-colored item. Meaning, if you will wear something blue, make sure your checkered item also has a blue color.
Checkered and Checkered Pattern
Some people might disagree with matching patterns with patterns because you will look like a dork or weird, but that isn’t 100% true. In fact, if you match the right ones, you’ll look as stylish as ever before.
With that said, it’s a no-no to wear items of the same patterns. For instance, don't wear a top and a necktie with both a buffalo pattern. It’s best to match a piece of fabric with small checks with fabric with large checks, and vice versa.
For example, try matching a skirt with checkerboard checks with a pin-checked top. This matching will ensure proper balance and enough contrast. Of course, you must also make sure that the colors match and complement each other.
Additionally, if you wear clothes in layers, just like during winter, always reserve your clothes with the boldest types of checks as the last layer, such as your coat. Another option is to accessorize with bolder checks and wear clothes with smaller or muted checks.
Home Interior With Checkered Pattern
You might have carpets, pillowcases, blankets, throw blankets, table cloths, seat covers, and other home items made of checkered fabric. The same rule applies to the colors and sizes of the checks you’re mixing and matching. Some additional tips when enhancing your home interior's design and appeal through checkered patterns are:
Bold Checks on Neutral Colors
It’s always best to place checkered patterned items with bold or too loud checks and colors in a room or area with neutral colors, such as beige, gray, and white. You can also mix and match your curtains, seat covers, and carpets like a bold checkered seat cover and a neutral tone curtain or carpet.
Consider Mixing the Same Colors With Different Tones
If you don’t want to have interior space with multiple colors, you can consider checkered patterns with the same color. For instance, if you have a light brown wall, match it with a carpet or curtains with dark brown types of checks.
Checkered Pattern - In Conclusion
Fabrics with prints such as checks will add great style and appeal to your outfit and home interior design because they’re already made of multiple colors. You can easily recognize a checkered pattern because checks are basically squares of two or more colors distributed along the fabric. You can differentiate the multiple types of checks based on the square size, how thick and thin their lines are, and how they intersect each other. Some checks also mimic familiar patterns such as windowpanes and checkerboards.
When using and wearing checkered fabrics, always make sure you mix and match compatible colors, whether they’re plain or checkered. You can use the color wheel to help you out. You also always have to go for contrast when it comes to color shades and check sizes. That is, not mixing dark colors with dark ones or light with light and mix small checks with small checks and large checks with large checks.
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