What’s common among a geeky bookworm, the club-hopping nocturnal and the corporate honcho? Well, all of them love to embrace checks – the timeless pattern that has been ruling the fashion roost in menswear for ages.
If there are a thousand odd reasons to love the 1000-week magnum opus Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, how can we not have one good reason to love the ‘cool dude’ look that SRK pulled off so convincingly in the film – remember those oversized flannel checked shirts! Bollywood has always celebrated the evergreen checks so much so that our very own Big B, who also happens to be a style icon, was once quoted saying, “I remember coming out of a theatre after seeing Shammi Kapoorji’s Tumsa Nahin Dekha, wanting to be in possession of the jacket worn by him… a coloured checked jacket with a belt around the waist.” Bollywood’s fascination with the ‘checked’ look is perhaps only an extension of men’s engagement with this wardrobe staple in real life. “Checks as a pattern adds an extra dimension to men’s clothing – it can be worn for formal as well as informal occasions. No matter what body type has to be dressed, there are different types of checks to suit the variety of physique,” opines Paresh Lamba, Head Designer, Paresh Lamba Signatures. “It’s a trend that’s particularly apt for men who work in corporate environments and want to add a bit of variety to their often uninspiring and monotonous tailoring collection. Quite recently, checks have made their way into the casual wardrobe of the suave gentleman,” feels Vandy Mehra, Director, Study By Janak.
Bold Plaid Play
The plaid look, once embraced by the American blue-collar workers, is making waves world over in its slim-fit version today. Plaid is perhaps one of the most popular patterns in menswear. It consists of vertical and horizontal bands of two or more colours that cross one another. Remember, when you choose to go the plaid way, you choose to go bold! Plaid is for men who don’t shy away from deep and bright colours. In fact, the best plaid designs are a mix of dark and bright hues such as blue and orange or yellow and green.
Best suited for casuals, the full-sleeved plaid shirt or shirt jacket can be layered over a solid tee. Well, you could also go the other way round! Wear a quilted sleeveless jacket over a full-sleeved plaid shirt and step into stylish boots. Team it with a pair of distressed denims, and you have the perfect weekend makeover! Plaid scarves make for a suave dekko. For swanky boardroom look, try a plaid tie with your monochrome suit.
Adorable Argyles for Knitwear
Once upon a time, the Duke of Windsor had his way with argyle vests in the game of golf! So what’s stopping our corporate honchos? Often designed as sweaters and socks, argyle is made up of an overlapping motif of diamonds and lozenges, which bring in a sense of three-dimensionality and movement. Having caught on the imagination of England and then the US, argyle knitwear is the ticket to the gentleman’s demeanour world over.
The V-neck argyle cardigan is the best pick for your winter work wear. Go for a multi-hued argyle vest with a solid, full-sleeved shirt and coordinate it with a pair of argyle socks and a rich satin tie.
Trend into Tartan Trews
Criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours, tartans are woven in such a manner that they form visible diagonal lines. While tartans originated in wool, they are made in many other materials today.
Add a vibrant edge to you outfit with tartan trousers and trews. Bright cotton ones will make for interesting summer casuals, whereas neutral tones in woollens are apt for winter work wear. As the tartan checks are bold, it’s also a good idea to save this pattern for smaller accessories such as ties and scarves. “Going by today’s trend, checkered bottoms for men have become a style statement. Do not be shy to try them out. You can also team your outfits with checkered bow ties or pocket square,” asserts Paresh. Designer Dhruv Vaish of Dhruv Vaish Label suggests checkered bottoms for party time. “If one is out partying then a check trouser can make your plain shirt look cool or just a simple checked pocket square can give you that sharp look,” he says. “If you are opting for check trousers, pair it with a plain Oxford shirt and a scarf to complete the look,” advises Vandy.
| Thumbs Up | Thumbs Down |
| Combine checks with solid ensembles to play it safe | Bright checks with equally bright solid hued shirt |
| Dark solid suit with light solid shirt teamed with checkered tie | Putting together two sizes of checks in one ensemble |
| A shirt with small two-toned checkered patterns teamed with solid hued 3-piece suit | Big checks on shorter and plus size body types. |
| Checkered blazer with light coloured pants | A loud tie with checked shirt |
Glory of Gingham
If the popularity of the blue and white gingham shirt from US retailer J Crew is anything to go by, gingham pattern seems to be rocking on! A widely-used pattern in shirts, ties and scarves, Gingham is nothing but a close interplay of checks in two colours. It has no right or wrong side as far as the colour is concerned.
A tasteful mix of dapper and nonchalance, gingham seems to be right choice for one and all! Whether it’s the nocturnal in the lounge or the demure boss in the boardroom, gingham goes well on everyone. Layer a monochrome gingham shirt under a sombre blazer or flaunt a smart casual one with khaki shorts, the choice is all yours. “Checks have always been in trend, but this year is all about gingham. The NYFW and other global ramps witnessed this trend from ramp to the guests seen. In fact overall check suits are really IN thing for the year,” informs Vandy.
Suit Up in Windowpane and Glen Plaid
With wide checks, often in white or off-white, windowpane is a timeless classic pattern for bespoke 3-piece suits and sports coats. Pair a windowpane coat with a herringbone tie to look the Man Adonis on board! “Windowpane checks are the pattern for the season. They look very modern and elegant. Available in all sizes, one can go for double lined big checks for a bold look or small one for subtle yet totally different look,” informs Dhruv.
Sartorial perfection to the core, glen plaid is a matrix of tightly woven small and large checks in muted shades of greys. An impeccably classy glen plaid coat will be perfect for a ballroom or a reception party. Try glen plaid cabbie cap at formal dos to show off the vintage look.
Uber Cool with Madras Checks
The humble Madras fabric has been getting a makeover in the last couple of years with international fashion designers showing a renewed interest in it. Look every bit ultra-casual on a sunny day, wearing a pair of Madras shorts or chinos teamed with a solid tee. For the office wear, a colourful Madras tie will be an awesome choice when combined with a window-pane checkered shirt and blazer.
Madras is a lightweight cotton fabric designed with vibrant uneven plaid patterns. It is used mostly for summer clothing such as pants, shorts and jackets. The fabric takes its name from the former name of the city of Chennai.
With its diverse fashion wearability, checks is a timeless pattern that will always have a pride of place in menswear. So guys keep checking ‘em out!
The article was originally published in Plan Your Wedding magazine.