The summer trend dividing style queens – some call it a ‘girl's best friend' but it brings back bad memories for others

The Sun

29-05-2025

WHEN it comes to summer trends, there's only a few that come back year on year.
And one of them is gingham.
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But fashionistas remain divided as to whether the trend - which involves white and coloured squares in a checked pattern - is stylish or not.
Next is one of the clothing stores trotting out the trend again this summer, and took to TikTok to share a look at some of their latest gingham offerings.
"If it's gingham, we'll take it!" they wrote over the top of their video.
And they added in the caption: "Gingham is a girl's best friend... right?"
They went on to highlight some of their favourite gingham pieces, including a £49 red and pink 100% cotton dress.
The 100% cotton ensemble has rave reviews on the Next website, with one happy customer writing: "Gorgeous dress! I bought this to wear on my honeymoon in Mexico and I absolutely loved it - as did my new husband!
"Received lots of compliments.
"A great length, looks awesome, and much more expensive than it was!"
While someone else called it "comfortable and flattering", and added: "Also made of good quality material, just right for summer".
Other offerings included a pair of skinny cropped gingham jeans for £36 and a puff-sleeve tank layer jumper for £42.
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There's also a pair of pull on trousers for £25, which come in four different colours - including an unusual blue and pink combination.
And the pants seem to be one of the most popular gingham offerings, judging by the almost entirely positive reviews online.
"I have these trousers in every colour because they look great, fit perfectly and are incredibly comfortable," one wrote, adding: "They wash well too!"
"Lovely trousers, great for the summer very flattering and such a good price!" another added.
However, not everyone agreed, with hordes taking to the comments section on Next's TikTok video to have their say.
"Nope, brings back horrors of primary school dresses!" one insisted.
What's the best style that suits everyone?
ACCORDING to the fashion pros at Fabulous, there's a new style of dress that suits all body shapes.
Low-slung, dropped-waist silhouette styles have surged, thanks to the Noughties fashion trend that has swept the catwalks, social media and, of course, the high street.
First seen on the runways of luxury labels Molly Goddard and Jil Sander, the style typically cinches around the hip and pelvic area rather than the waist.
Now a plethora of more affordable options of the dress that suits a number of body shapes have dropped just as the sun starts to come out.
Clemmie Fieldsend, Fashion Editor, said: "There's something so stylish about these dresses, and I love them.
"The simplicity of the top half teamed with the full skirt is like a sleeker and more grown-up tutu.
"I have a short torso so the dropped waist makes my body look longer, but, thankfully, the long skirt means your legs don't look shorter.
"Plus it means I can tap into the low-waist trend without baring all in a pair of low-slung jeans.
"I know I'll be living in mine all summer, paired with black sandals and sunnies, but for now all I need is a blazer slipped over the top and a closed-toe shoe and I'm ready to go."
Meanwhile, Fashion Director, Tracey Lea Sayer, added: "I remember dropped-waist dresses from the 80s. I loved them then and I still love them again now!
"Forty years on from when they were first popular and I am not so sure they will be quite as flattering around my middle, because two kids and middle-aged spread later, my waist doesn't exist any more.
"With a dress like this I can disguise my middle bit and still feel on trend for summer."
"It all looks like school uniform, sorry," another added.
"Nope, nope, nope, nope," a third wrote.
"School dresses - that's all I'm gonna say!" someone else laughed.
"Nope, gingham's for little girls only!" another agreed.
But others were more on board with the reemergence of the trend.
"Next, you are going to bankrupt me right now!" one fashion fan sighed.
As another reasoned: "It's cute, that's why.
"It's vintage girly and reminds us of picnic time."
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