Gingham Is a Fashion Favorite This Summer—and It’s Bringing Classic Charm to Homes, Too

The vintage checkered pattern evokes nostalgia and summertime charm, and it works in decor just as well as it works on the runway.

There’s a pattern we’ve seen pop up around this time time and time before (you could say it’s a pattern). It speaks to vintage design, a picnic in the sun, and a fun summer cookout. But over the past few years, the two-toned checkered print has more gained traction in the fashion world, stepping beyond dining rooms and backyards and onto dresses, hair bows, and peplum tops. 

Gingham is starting to take over fashion—Pinterest discovered a 770% increase in searches for “gingham shorts” in its 2024 Summer Trend Report—and it’s generating a resurgence of the pattern in homes, too. It’s a modern twist on classic Americana, and it’s one that’s not entirely new.

Related: We’re In for a Big, Bold, ‘Bridgerton’ Summer, According to Pinterest

The rise in popularity can be attributed to the cyclical nature of trends: a re-found interest in ’90s trends, when gingham last had a moment. During that decade, it was seen as a preppy and vintage aesthetic that popped up in all kinds of casual summer outfits. What made gingham particularly intriguing in the ’90s, though, was how it was embraced in grunge fashion: Stylish individuals used it as a charming, contrasting pattern to the dark context of the beloved grunge aesthetic.

As the ‘90s contributed to using gingham in more rebellious ways, the pandemic, connection to nature, sustainability, and collective need to connect beyond screens led to the gravitation toward outdoor dining and dinner parties, where gingham tablecloths are a classic.

Related: How to Plan a Casual Al Fresco Dinner Party for Summer Socializing

To style it in your home, lean into the pattern as part of the coquette aesthetic or go full femme and take inspiration from that baby pink gingham sundress in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. You can also take a hint from the grunge fashionistas of the past and mix it with contrasting styles. The wholesome energy of gingham can be paired with darker colors and lace to create a sense of allure.

Make it come to life with Trader Joe’s cotton picnic cloths, add ribbons to your home decor, or switch it up with some cafe kitchen curtains. No matter how you choose to incorporate gingham this summer, know that it has a place in nearly every style choice—in your wardrobe and home.

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