Checks and stripes, much more fun than checks and balances.
Today in the office is meant to be about checks and balances but my mind has wandered to the more fashionable side of the grid. There is a big trend right now for blazers and pants to be covered in checks or stripes; some this season are in the vein of man’s tailoring and others downright bold with a thicker more nautical approach to the stripe.
As a fan of man’s tailoring, I am drawn heavily to this trend – give me a Prince of Wales, a Glen or a Hounstooth anyday and I am happy. It helps I do love a blazer and finding a new variation to add to the collection is a big bonus.
Many of our days are spent wearing jeans, capris or tailored trousers and the addition of a slightly patterned blazer really makes the simple essentials work harder. It’s easy dressing and I am all for that. A soft check or stripe can look as classic or relaxed as we style it. All black or white underneath with a grey check is an elegant option; add a colourful tee, perhaps a citrus shade and the whole look changes.
The check and stripe pieces are not only good worn separately but also together. The fashion for women to wear suits, both in and out of the office, has been around forever and it is an easy one for most women to wear well. Think Charlotte Rampling and Katherine Hepburn for starters.
And did I mention the plaid is ageless?
My mind seems to be focused on ease of dressing; finding outfits that work but don’t take up mental bandwidth in the planning. Maybe it is a mood, or maybe there are so many exciting moments to be enjoyed in life that getting dressed should be a quick, happy and simple process.
Don’t you think? xv
checks
stripes
leith linen || topshop double breasted || frame off-white || veronica beard pinstripe
image, will davidson, vogue australia 2015, christy turlington calvin klein 1989
