How to wear gingham without looking like you’re in school uniform
gingham lead comp
There was more than one notable thing about Olivia Rodrigo’s appearance at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. Not only was the 22-year-old fresh from an acclaimed headline set at Glastonbury and making a public appearance with her British actor boyfriend, Louis Partridge, she was also pulling off a sartorial master stroke: making gingham the “It” print of the summer.
Her red-and-white check shirt dress was vintage Ralph Lauren (from 2000, making it older than the pop star herself), accessorised with a red suede east-west bag from Khaite and co-ordinating oval sunglasses. It was the perfect strawberries-and-cream look for the summer sporting occasion, but the sharp cut and monochromatic accessorising helped it look fresh, on point and, crucially, not in the slightest school uniform-like.
“Classic but never boring, gingham is really having a moment this season thanks to the way it bridges vintage charm and modern ease,” says stylist Roz Kaur. “What Rodrigo did so well at Wimbledon was strike that exact balance. Her look was polished and retro without feeling too precious. The fit, the accessories – it was a nod to tradition, but totally her own.”
Polished, not precious: Olivia Rodrigo showed the Wimbledon crowds exactly how to wear the print - Karwai Tang
Rodrigo isn’t the first stadium-filling star to choose gingham for tennis spectator style; in fact, she was following in the fashion footsteps of Taylor Swift, who memorably wore a Reformation linen dress in “tomato check” at the US Open in 2024 (and more recently a green gingham co-ord by New York label Hunter Bell). This year, Daisy Edgar-Jones picked up the Reformation gingham mantle in a black-and-white check mini dress at Glastonbury, while other recent examples show just how high-end the perennial print can be – see Emma Watson in Chanel Cruise in Cannes, or Princess Beatrice in a Beulah London two-piece at this year’s Royal Ascot.
Daisy Edgar-Jones wore a black-and-white check mini gingham from Reformation whilst enjoying Glastonbury this year
It seems that everywhere you look this summer, there’s an “It” girl in this year’s “It” print. Gingham has long been a warm weather staple, not actually a print at all but a type of woven fabric with breezy, nostalgic appeal. It conjures up images of everyone from Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz to Brigitte Bardot, who wore a lace-trimmed pink gingham dress for her second wedding to French actor Jacques Charrier in 1959. But interest has spiked of late, with searches for “Gingham dress” up 78 per cent compared to last year at John Lewis and catwalk appearances from Loewe SS25 to Louis Vuitton AW25 cementing its transition from picnic blanket to style statement.
Judy Garland’s blue-and-white ensemble for The Wizard of Oz remains one of the most iconic gingham outfits to hit film screens - Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty
Brigitte Bardot wore a lace-trimmed pink gingham dress to marry Jacques Charrier in 1959 - AFP/Getty
There are various schools of gingham thought to join this year. “I always say: let the print do the talking,” says Kaur. “Pair it with minimal, structured pieces – think white denim, a sharp blazer or a bold red lip – to give it edge. Or lean into the softness with linen, sandals and undone hair. It’s all about contrast and confidence.” Embracing the print’s romantic femininity makes for a convenient alternative to florals; look to Jennifer Lopez in a pretty pink dress, also by Reformation, with a corset-style bodice and scalloped neckline for inspiration.
Other names to know if you’re leaning into the “cottage-core” look include Hill House Home, Rixo and Doen. If the budget won’t stretch, the latter has recently released a collaboration with Gap, and there’s plenty of gingham elsewhere on the high street. “It definitely has that nostalgic, uniform-feel to it, which we love,” says Hill House Home founder Nell Diamond, who’s incorporated gingham into collections since her cult brand launched in 2020. “We keep it fresh each year by playing with scale, fabrics and unexpected colours.”
It’s a similar case at Albaray, where gingham styles are almost entirely sold out online. “Gingham check has a timeless appeal and lends itself to all occasions – it’s a classic dress up, dress down print,” says co-founder Kirstie Di Stazio. “We make sure it looks contemporary and fresh by paying careful attention to the scale of the check to keep it looking modern.”
Sarah Jessica Parker paired a blue gingham dress with a pink blazer and heels earlier this year - XNY/Star Max/GC Images
Those concerned about verging on twee might temper an outfit with something more structured to anchor the print in the everyday, or smarten it a little. Sarah Jessica Parker recently gave a masterclass in this trick while filming And Just Like That, pairing a blue gingham dress by Austrian designer Lena Hoschek with a dusky pink blazer and embellished heels.
Another elevated spin is to opt for something more structured in the first place; part of the magic of Rodrigo’s Ralph Lauren number was its sharp cut. Gingham separates are an appealing alternative to dresses, with a longline waistcoat or shirt offering a particularly easy win – as evidenced by Nicole Kidman in a checked piece from Bottega Veneta’s resort 2025 collection earlier this year.
Nicole Kidman wears a checked gingham shirt from Bottega Veneta at a screening in March - Getty
As gingham classically consists of two colours, there’s space for being a little daring with your accessorising. “I love to pair it with unexpected, bold accessories, like a statement earring and a platform heel,” says Diamond. “I’m also loving all of the shell jewellery that’s around this summer, which gives a fun nod to coastal style.”
Whether you adopt a similar approach or keep things simple, gingham will be an effortless – and on-trend – addition to your wardrobe this season and beyond.
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