Pattern Challenge Three: Show us your Plaid/Checks etc - YouLookFab Forum

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Pattern Challenge Three: Show us your Plaid/Checks etc

Sal

Veteran

Thanks to those who have shared their fantastic looks on the first two challenges. Here are the links to the previous threads.

Challenge thread
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....r-patterns

Spots and Dots
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ka-dot-wiw

Stripes/Chevrons/Geometrics
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....eometric-p

You can keep adding to them with photos or finds, there is inspiration there for people looking how to add pattern into their wardrobe.

Now checks..

I have a large check blue gingham dress that I wear over summer. This spoke to me because in my mind it had a Scandinavian flavour that I liked, but it is the only check item I have bought in the last probably 20 years!! This has lasted two summers well and will get regular wear this summer. It is not quite a workhorse but will get worn ten-twelve times a season. It is a dress I don't like layered with a jacket or cardigan which reduces it's usefulness in our erratic climate.

I have also added a pic of myself in a cream and grey plaid coat that I inherited from my Grandmother back in 2011 when she passed away. I am guessing it is 1960s in vintage, I think a car coat? I rarely wear it, and am open to feedback as to how I should style it or whether I should pass it on. I wore it with a modern casual look today.

And lastly, I have two scarves - I have never worn either - one in Kerr tartan, one inherited from my MIL. I could pass them on - they are both wool and I just struggle to know how to wear them.

Over to you, there are many plaid lovers on the forum and I look forward to seeing their outfits.

Thanks
Sally

(just adding photos from phone now)

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Dressing

46 replies

Latest reply was from Mirjana

JAileen

Veteran

I seem to have a lot of plaid/checks too. #10 I just bought in NAS, and haven't worn yet. I'm not sure why I couldn't find a picture of me in my Woolrich jacket (#3).

This doesn't include any scarves. I have quite a few of them, mostly thrifted.

Bonus: Mr Skunky in his Halloween costume (made by me) from a few years ago. He didn't like it very much.

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Sal

Veteran

Some great plaid here JAileen.

My favourite is 10 because it is unexpected - I hope you enjoy wearing this. I also like the coat in 6 - very smart and cosy. Mr Skunky is very dapper in his plaid - shame he was not a fan - maybe like me he prefers polka dots?

Joy

Veteran

I have more in this category than I thought. The Finds below are a sample, but not everything, especially scarves. Unfortunately, many of these pieces will have to wait for cooler weather.

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Boy shirt in crinkle gingham

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Top Pick

4

Sandra Plaid Double Face Cotton Shirt

Sale

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6

Boy shirt in mini gingham

Sale

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2

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Burberry Giant Check Print Wool & Silk Scarf

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Top Pick

4

Revolve Clothing

Soft Joie Dane Blouse

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Top Pick

1

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Sal

Veteran

You have a lovely collection too Joy. I love your shoes, and also the Abound silky tee. I think of gingham being a summer pattern and most plaid being an autumn or winter pattern - but not always - and rules are made to be broken....

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sal, I like that coat on you! I suppose the classic way to style it would be with an a-line skirt and block heels, but you're showing that it could work with pants too.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

One or two heavy winter scarves I hardly wear. Perhaps they will be donated.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Fashiontern- that is how I used to wear it and did like it.

Barbara Diane - yes I am in the same boat...

The Cat

Veteran

In my summer wardrobe I have only 2 check items: a black & white skirt and a turqoise & white short-sleeved shirt. There are more check items in my fall wardrobe, which is stored in the attic and will stay there for another few weeks.

The pic shows an at home outfit I wore a few days ago: checks & butterfly print & leopard print.

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Brooklyn

Veteran

The cat, what great pattern mixing!
I have nothing to offer here but I will watch with interest.
I saw a woman yesterday wearing wide leg black and white windowpane pants. They looked seriously fab. I could be tempted by something like that.
Love your funky dress Sally.
For Joy, my fave is the red plaid pants. Very statement-ish!
For JAileen, my fave is the poncho. Beautiful colours.

Anonymous

Once again, only two items. But both are smashing. The pants never fail to get me compliments. The top is worn all winter long during off-work hours.

Shout out to Mr. Skunky's outfit.

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kkards

Veteran

Sal-that dress is fab!
JAileen--FAB! great collection! and yeah for the plaids and stripes in #4, but Mr Skunky is the clear winner...
seems plaids are the other pattern i wear---hmmmm stripes and plaids-my preppie shines through

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Deborah

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Ooh I can join this one! I have to say I'm loving the gingham trend that is hitting here at the moment. I have two checked items!

Both are new. I'm not a pattern person so I did think long and hard before adding these.

1.
Checked wool blend Duster coat

2.
Reversible skirt. One side is checked the other black. The skirt is turned inside out and can be twisted to create a variety of looks. (Pic is in store when I tried it on)

xxxDeborah

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skylurker

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Sal : wow, beautiful dress, beautiful coat.
Love how you styled it here, doesn't look vintage-dated at all. It's the same shape as your faux fur coat really, so I'd wear it the same way.
I don't wear my 2 wool scarves either - they're striped actually but I forgot about them...

Jaileen : hahaha, poor dog! I'm going with #6, I like the deep blue and pattern mix with dots.
The Cat : you seem to be an expert pattern mixer (you also look 2m tall)
Kkards : #4, the preppiest in my eyes
Deborah : I like your skirt

I have 4 checks in my wardrobe :
2 flannel tunics
#1 is wool, super warm
#2 is cotton, and too big, I wear it layered #3
A pair of shoes and a scarf #4

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Sara L.

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I don't have any summer plaid or checks. I do have some winter items and I attached those pics below. I also have a grey and black plaid scarf but I couldn't find a picture of it. I must not have worn it last winter.

Sal - I love the checked dress - Wow - so great on you.

Jaileen - you have so many great plaid items, but of course Mr. Skunky takes the cake.

Joy - You have so many great items it makes me wonder why I don't have more plaid in my wardrobe.

Sterling - I love the blue plaid shirt.

kkards - I love the colorful plaid in #5 - so summery!

Deborah - Great skirt!

skylurker - The plaid shoes and scarf are very unique.

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JAileen

Veteran

Thank you for Mr Skunky love!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any checks, but plaid? Yuppers.

#1 was taken yesterday. This flannel dress only has limited wear seasons, but it's a favorite.

The rest of these photos were pulled from my WIW archives, but they're all still in my wardrobe. My favorite flannel shirt (2), a gameday Sounders scarf (3), and two blazers inherited from my mom (4, 5).

ETA #6: I totally forgot about these leggings.

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Sal, do not give away that coat! It's fantastic!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all for your lovely plaid looks....if anyone can convert me it is the YLF community.

The Cat - agree with Brooklyn, more great pattern mixing from you. I like the long skirt with the flat shoes, it works really well.

Brooklyn - I expect to see you on the floral thread...

Sterling - those pants are fantastic. That is a plaid I could wear.

Kkards - you have some lovely plaids too. I really like 1, what a cool fitted jacket.

Thanks Deborah - these pieces are gorgeous and very you. Thanks for chiming in as it is great to see different ways you can wear checks.

Skylurker - thanks for your supportive comments. I like 3 with the check shirt layered and I also really like your scarf.

Thanks Sara - you are a natural with plaid too, my pick is no 2 which is fun plaid top and you look so good in red.

Jenn- that dress - I want it!!! I suspect like my one it is hard to layer, but it is also quite classic so I suspect you will wear this for several years.

OK - I will keep the coat. I have room and pull it out five or six times a winter- it is nice to have a light coloured coat on occasion. And since it is 50 years old it deserves some dignity.

The Cat

Veteran

Brooklyn, skylurker and Sal, thank you. Fun to hear that you like my pattern mixing. And skylurker, I am actually "only" 1,72 m, but have nothing against appearing taller.

Jenn and others, I would appreciate if you could explain to me the difference between checks and plaids.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

The Cat, I think of checks as simpler patterns than plaids or tartans, with squares rather than multiple overlapping lines, but this might be a regional usage (I'm in N. America). Gingham is a check, so is skylurker's scarf, Joy's windowpane trousers, and JAileen's tote in #7.

Sal

Veteran

Here is a Wikipedia definition that sort of helps

Tartan (Scottish Gaelic: breacan [ˈbɾʲɛxkən]) is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns. Tartan is often called plaid in North America, but in Scotland, a plaid is a tartan cloth slung over the shoulder as a kilt accessory, or a plain ordinary blanket such as one would have on a bed.

Tartan is made with alternating bands of coloured (pre-dyed) threads woven as both warp and weft at right angles to each other. The weft is woven in a simple twill, two over—two under the warp, advancing one thread at each pass. This forms visible diagonal lines where different colours cross, which give the appearance of new colours blended from the original ones. The resulting blocks of colour repeat vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines known as a sett.

And here is one for gingham

Gingham is a medium-weight balanced plain-woven fabric made from dyed cotton or cotton-blend yarn.[1] It is made of carded, medium or fine yarns, where the colouring is on the warp yarns and always along the grain (weft). Gingham has no right or wrong side with respect to color.

The Cat

Veteran

Jenn and Sal, thanks for the explanations.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Sal,I adore your coat! My Mum used to have car coats too. I guess just for getting in and out of cars rather than walking a long way or public transport?
I also still have my Mum's deep red 1964 coat. I haven't worn it in about 3 years but cannot bear to give it away. Of everyone else's, all great, my 3 faves so far are Mr Skunky, Joy's red tartan shirt, and Sara's pic 2.
I will just add ones you have seen before first. I want to know, is houndstooth a check ( Joy shows it as one) or is it animal print? If it's a check I can post it tomorrow:)

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kkards

Veteran

oh JenniNZ matchy-matchy plaids....how fun!

krishnidoux

Veteran

Sal, your gingham dress is so pretty and original. It was made for you!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I think I have a lot of pattern in my closet, but there are just a couple pieces in these classic styles. Here are my plaids. I don't know how to link to my WiW, and the pic is on a different device, but this was a winter outfit with plaid leggings. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/outfit-1-2

The gingham shirt doesn't get much wear, because it feels seasonally mismatched to me; that strong color feels summery, but it has sleeves and a full back, so even though it is lightweight cotton from an outdoor gear company (Columbia), it's too warm to wear for a couple more months.

The green shirt, likewise, isn't going out of the house for a while--it's too warm. Given how the pants fit me right now, that's a good thing.

Is it appropriate to ask for advice/criticism in these challenge posts? I noticed after going through my shoes that I don't really have strappy summer sandals. These are a contender for that spot. They are cheap shoes, to see if the excitement of pattern on my shoes knocks me off balance.

I'm not sure about any of the tops I'm trying with the blue plaid shorts. I had just worn them all day in the usual way (with a white tank top) when I saw Firecracker's post and thought "I want to do that" so please excuse the creases. Live & in person, the blue/white blouse doesn't make me look as square as it does here, but I'm still not sure about it with these shorts. It is lightweight silk, so I could actually wear it now. I'm not sure about the other tops I tried with the shorts either.

The orange shirt is a match I worked out in my head. I didn't expect it to actually work, but I kind of like it.

The paisley/striped shirt is the match I like best, but might be too much. I'd like to come up with something more fun to pair that shirt with than blue jeans.

ETA WIrW (what I really wore). The swingy tank and hat I had on with those shorts before trying the other options

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skylurker

Veteran

All these red tartans, this post feels like Christmas
Jenn : I love #4, I want to try that formula - tartan jacket, graphic tee, bf, oxfords - thanks for the inspiration.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Jenni NZ, great Scot! Love those shoes.

Staysfit

Veteran

I seem to have checks, plaid, tartans and squares in abundance. I only did a quick search and snapped pics of the most obvious items. My favorite being the oversize flannel shirt that my brother left at my mom's house and I took from her.

I recently purchased a plaid suit from JCrew. I'm not sure why but I love this also. It's a departure for me to wear so much pattern at once. I might break up the trousers and jacket.

The Madewell dress with a knot in front is fun to wear but has an unexpected shape. It balloons out wide at the hips.

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