Checked shirt. Upon hearing these words, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the image of a beardy man carrying an ax over his shoulder on his way to fell some trees. In short – a lumberjack. It does so with good reason, for this kind of shirt outfit has long since been associated with members of craft professions (which forestry workers are) who, in turn, have traditionally been made up of males. They have quite obviously embraced checked shirts, which have come a long way since then. At this day and age, such shirts have become a part of our daily outfits and, consequently, of our daily lives. In fact, there is at least one plaid shirt in almost every male wardrobe – regardless of the wearer’s professional orientation.
One of the main reasons that led to so many men taking a liking to checked shirts is due to the fact that these are quite easy to combine with a very broad range of clothing. It makes picking an outfit easier which, is safe to say, appeases to a great number of gentlemen.
This does not mean in any way that these kinds of shirts are exclusive to the male persona. Oh no! Women also wear this type of pattern and are more than enthusiastic about the visual benefits it brings. And so, it is not surprising that more and more women are coming to use checked shirts.
But what are the possible combinations of checked shirts? And are they only suitable for leisure time, or can they also be worn for more formal occasions?
Here we will try to summarize some of the answers to these questions, starting with the ladies.
Checked shirts in her wardrobe
Checked shirts are almost always a guarantee for a fashionable outfit, especially when you combine them with trendy jeans. This look can be further enhanced by picking the right combination of clothes and some funky accessories.
The most classic garment for women to combine with a checked shirt is undoubtedly a pair of jeans. This choice underlines the sporty and casual character of the shirt and makes it shine in the right light. Blue, beige, black, grey or green, they all go well with these patterned shirts.
Here’s an idea to make this shirt outfit interesting: Wear it open with a tight shirt underneath. If you do not close the button placket of the shirt, it falls loosely down, making you look slimmer and sportier. Pro-tip: Wear a single-colored and relatively tight shirt underneath to enhance your feminine look.
Shoes! Various models are suitable for checked shirts. Flat shoes underline the casual look. Ballerinas, sneakers or other comfortable footwear fit in well too. High heels make it look more feminine and enable you to quickly conjure up a look for a good night out in town. If you’re a fan of sturdy boots then, by all means, take up the cowgirl theme which, I might add, will never go out of style.
If it’s cold, then wear a cuddly fur vest (we recommend the fake kind) over the shirt. Some good winter boots on it and you’re all set for a perfect winter look.
Want to add a style icon to your otherwise casual look? Combine the checked shirt with a feminine tulle skirt. This break in style between the rustic top and the romantic playful skirt is super exciting and will make for astonished looks.
Checked shirts in lumberjack style are typically made from a wider cut. You can model your figure and emphasize your waist by loosely tucking the hem of the shirt into your pants or waistband. Then pull the fabric back up slightly to create a casual look. The sportier version: Wear the checked shirt over a shirt.
It doesn’t really matter what style you’re going for when it comes to wearing accessories. The best match is first and foremost scarves in trendy designs. A suitable example would be a plaid cloth. You can go for matching or contrasting colors, either way presents you with a wide range of choices.
To further elaborate on the accessories, matching bracelets are just as funky. Take a leather strap for instance or go for a rock star outfit with some skull-shaped ornaments.
Checked shirts in his wardrobe.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that, here too, the amount of possible styles and combinations is quite high. Keep in mind that checked shirts themselves come in different styles. For example, wider checks give you a more casual look. Smaller checks set out in a uniform fashion will be much more appropriate in formal occasions.
Analogous to their female counterparts, jeans are the classic choice to go with a checked shirt. Particularly the popular “used look” jeans make for a masculine stylish and cutting-edge outfit.
You can of course also wear checked shirts with any kind of trousers. Just keep in mind this usually results in a more simple, classic and serious look.
Much like jeans, a trendily designed vest goes very well with casual shirts of this kind. Wear a simpler design to give great contrast with the patterns of the shirt.
Short-sleeved through the summer! Combine the popular pattern with short sleeves, letting the air circulate better under the shirt for a more comfortable wear. Match it with a pair of tailored shorts and plimsolls for a timeless outfit in warmer weather.
During winter you can go for heavier designs. Try wearing a thick leather jacket over your shirt and pair it with black skinny jeans for a grungy look. If more formal is the way you want to go, then a navy coat will fit perfectly. Or up the scale even further by wearing a slim fit blazer.
Whether it be cold or warm, you can also throw in a tie. A tie that does not stand out too much can be easily combined with such a shirt and is usually the best course of action.
Checked shirt? Check!
A checked shirt can adapt to a number of different occasions. Originally designed for outdoor and craft professions, nowadays it has expanded to all types of situations. Outdoor activities, summer or winter looks, formal events or event romantic ones are just some of the honorable mentions I could bring up.
To bring an end to this short yet hopefully helpful description of checked shirts it feels imperative to point out that the aforementioned examples are but the scraping of the surface of the near-uncountable possible ways of wearing this shirt outfit. Depending on one’s own style, body figure, taste or circumstance, the sky is the limit. And the most important factor between all checked shirt wearers? Your very own personal touch.
