Don’t get us wrong–solids and stripes are great. They’re styles that never go out of fashion and no matter what the occasion, you can bank on a pinstripe suit to put your most fashionable foot forward. But if you’re looking to up your fashion game, give checked suits a shot. They’re super chic, work in both formal and casual settings and are the perfect way to set yourself apart. Here are some tips on how to pull them off.
Key colours
If it’s formalwear you’re after, pick a checked suit in colours such as grey, navy, burgundy, tan or slate. Subtlety is key, and these colours ensure that your checks give you a polished appearance instead of making you look loud and out-of-place. For more informal gatherings, picking suits in jewel tones of purple, green and beetroot red is a good idea.
If it’s formalwear you’re after, pick a checked suit in colours such as grey, navy, burgundy, tan or slate. Subtlety is key, and these colours ensure that your checks give you a polished appearance instead of making you look loud and out-of-place. For more informal gatherings, picking suits in jewel tones of purple, green and beetroot red is a good idea.
Two tone
Mixing and matching colours is a great tip to follow while sporting a checked suit. For formalwear, we love combinations such as black and indigo, and grey and wine. For casualwear, experiment with ribbons of red, burnt orange and turquoise running through the checked suit.
Mixing and matching colours is a great tip to follow while sporting a checked suit. For formalwear, we love combinations such as black and indigo, and grey and wine. For casualwear, experiment with ribbons of red, burnt orange and turquoise running through the checked suit.
True to size
While large, bold checks are great for more youthful, casual social gatherings, smaller checks are a good option if you’re just starting out with the trend or are sceptical of carrying off checks convincingly. While there are plenty of options to play with, remember that smaller checks suit most body types, while larger checks suit lean physiques. Buying a checked suit or jacket is also a great way to start sporting this trend, which allows you to keep the pants and shirt plain.
While large, bold checks are great for more youthful, casual social gatherings, smaller checks are a good option if you’re just starting out with the trend or are sceptical of carrying off checks convincingly. While there are plenty of options to play with, remember that smaller checks suit most body types, while larger checks suit lean physiques. Buying a checked suit or jacket is also a great way to start sporting this trend, which allows you to keep the pants and shirt plain.
Take a cue from the stars
Eddie Redmayne seems to have a penchant for checked suits and no matter what the colour, size or occasion, this talented actor owns the trend.
Eddie Redmayne seems to have a penchant for checked suits and no matter what the colour, size or occasion, this talented actor owns the trend.
Make it shine
Let the suit be the focal point of your look and opt for simple, block-coloured shirts that complement it without drawing attention away from it. If you have colours such as purple or burgundy running through the checked weave, complete your look by picking a pair of socks or a tie in the same shade.
Let the suit be the focal point of your look and opt for simple, block-coloured shirts that complement it without drawing attention away from it. If you have colours such as purple or burgundy running through the checked weave, complete your look by picking a pair of socks or a tie in the same shade.
Once you are comfortable with the trend, experiment with the Prince of Wales plaid, also known as Glen Plaid. A more intricate checks pattern, it involves multi-layered squares as opposed to single checks. Both Robert Downey Junior and Ryan Gosling, two of our favourite actors, sport this trend and look super stylish too in this sporty checked suit.
