30-05-2025
The Print You Wore To School Is Now Fashion's Most Popular Thing To Wear
Few prints in the repertoire of dressmakers summon the ghosts of school days quite like gingham. The chequered classic - equal parts charming and cringe - has long been tangled up with sticky memories of summer terms,milkmaid tropes and, yes, picnic blankets (apologies). A piece of good news for the fans of this wholesome pattern, though - gingham has quietly graduated. No longer the preserve of playgrounds and prairie pastiche, it's gotten a new lease of life, rendered in adult cuts and knowing polish, making a convincing case for a grown-up return to the classroom staple. Suddenly, we're smitten with everything from gingham dresses to gingham swimwear - more head-over-heels-in-the-park than head girl.
L-R: Louis Vuitton A/W '25, Miu Miu A/W '25 ©Getty
While Wizard of Oz devotees might let out a collective gasp in defence for this classic – Judy Garland's blue Dorothy gingham pinafore from the 1939 classic was (almost) auctioned off for a whooping $1.2m before an ownership dispute halted the sale - it's fair to say that gingham hasn't always enjoyed universal appeal. Until now. Those with a predilection for a more serious wardrobe steered clear of the pattern and its twee associations, often tied up (sometimes literally) in shirred bodices and seersucker frills. But recent gingham sightings suggest a revolution is afoot. The latest iterations are crisp, considered, resolutely adult, and give our very quiet wardrobes a run for their money.
L-R: Paloma Elsesser, Juliette Binoche
Proof - for any naysayers - is delivered by the A-list, of course (supermodel Paloma Elesser is a fan in head-to-toe Miu Miu, as is actress Juliette Binoche in a blue gingham shirt), as well the runways, where super brands like Louis Vuitton, the aforementioned Miu Miu and Andres Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood delivered serious reprises of this classic fabric. Off the runways and on the shop floors, too, gingham has its hardcore advocates, such as fashion's perhaps most elusive character, Comme Des Garçons founder, Rei Kawakubo, who resorts back to it time and time again (not least in her infamous 1997 'Lumps and Bumps' collection) in the CDG offshoot brands Girl and Black.
Elsewhere, Dôen - the maker of some of the most popular summer dresses - caters towards those who prefer to keep it more traditional and less directional (take note of the brand's collaboration with Gap), as does the Scandi-girl staple, Ganni, where gingham designs run the gamut from flouncy minidresses to cargo bubble hem skirts, the latter putting an edgy spin on the twee print. Point is, even if you prefer to wander on the sartorially plain-speaking side of things, this school uniform staple might just be the carte blanche allowing you to tip toe over to the other side, where fashion doesn't only whisper, but at least speaks in indoor voices. 1.
Ganni, Mini Bubble Gingham Skirt 2.
Massimo Dutti, Gingham Lace Midi Dress 3.
Hunza G, Gingham-Trimmed Swimsuit 4.
Asceno, Gingham Mini Dress
Price: £275 5.
Theory, Gingham Linen-Blend Trousers 6.
Miu Miu, Gingham Poplin Shirt 7.
Gap X Dôen, Gingham Denim Mini Dress 8.
Posse, Strapless Gingham Cotton Top
Price: £180
Henrik Lischkeis the senior fashion features editor at Grazia. Prior to that, he held the role of commerce writer at British Vogue, and was junior fashion editor at The Sunday Times Style. A first-class honours Fashion Journalism graduate from UAL: London College of fashion, Henrik is invariably on the lookout for the newest talent in fashion, that is driving the industry forward, and shining the spotlight on them whenever possible. He's also got a passion for interiors design and the arts. Follow Henrik on Instagram @henriklischke.
