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8 New Ways to Wear Gingham So You Don’t Look Like a Walking Picnic

Stripes, polka dots and florals can all step aside, because gingham is here to reclaim its spot as summer’s hottest print. Once reserved for outdoor eating adventures and Wizard of Oz Halloween costumes, gingham is getting a much-needed cool-girl makeover. Here are eight ways to rock the print like the trendsetter you are.

The 5 Trendiest Prints to Wear This Summer


Choose A Color Other Than Navy Or Red

Take a cue from Coterie member Grace Atwood and opt for an unexpected shade like purple, green or yellow. See? You just went from preppy to fresh.

Get the look: ASOS dress ($40); Old Navy top ($42); ModCloth dress ($89); Draper James dress ($180); MDS Stripes top ($198)

a woman wearinga pink gingham maxi dress
Acielle/Getty Images

Or Try A Subtle Muted Hue

Light shades like pale pink or pastel peach help you get away with longer or larger pieces without feeling like you’ve just wrapped yourself in a tablecloth.

Get the look: Unique Vintage dress ($98); Lost & Wander jumpsuit ($110); Eliza J dress ($138); Majorelle dress ($148)

woman carrying a gingham clutch bag
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Use It As An Accent With Accessories

Not quite ready to wear gingham from head to toe? Start small with a cute clutch, sleek stilettos or a silk scarf to ease yourself into the trend.

Get the look: Forever 21 bag ($18); Sole Society clutch ($45); Kate Spade New York scarf ($78); Diane von Furstenburg sneakers ($99); No. 21 slides ($293)

Play With Volume

Summer is a time for fun, so why not go a little crazy? Bring on the oversize statement sleeves and tiered ruffle maxi skirts, because gingham is here to party!

Get the look: American Eagle top ($35); Forever 21 bodysuit ($45); Draper James for Eloquii top ($85); Caroline Constas top ($195); Petersyn top ($280)

woman wearing a gingham skirt and sporty sneakers
Melodie Jeng/Getty Images

Pair It With Sporty Pieces

A mesh knit tank and gym-ready comfy sneakers help downplay gingham’s girly nature.

Get the look: Forever 21 top ($15); Saucony sneakers ($70); New Balance sneakers ($80); Wilfred top ($85); Madewell skirt ($98); Silvia Tchesrassi skirt ($364)

Try A Super-structured Suit

White boots, big hair and some mod sunglasses give this look a seriously ’60s vibe. Groovy.

Get the look: Who What Wear for Target blazer ($40) and pants ($30); Lulus blazer ($61); Banana Republic blazer ($178) and pants ($88); Lafayette 148 New York blazer ($279) and pants ($244)

Mix It With Other Patterns

Treat your gingham pieces like a neutral, especially if the print is navy or black, and you’ll find that they suddenly go with everything in your wardrobe.

Get the look: Old Navy pants ($35); NastyGal top ($50); Eberjay pants ($79); Rails top ($100); Paige pants ($229)

woman wearing a gingham floral dress
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Or Look For A Version That Incorporates Another Print Already

It’s a floral dress, sure. But it’s also…gingham!

Get the look: Forever 21 dress ($15); Love, Fire top ($29) and pants ($35); Eloquii pants ($80); 1901 dress ($159); Innika Choo dress ($330)



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