Summer is all about slipping into prints or patterns, and one of our faves is that TIMELESS CHECK KNOWN AS GINGHAM. Most commonly shown as black and white or navy and white, gingham came into play into the mid-eighteenth century, when mills in England started weaving the plaid cotton fabric because it was sturdy, understated and cheap to produce. Initially it was used mainly in home items—like your fave tablecloth—to the classic men’s button down shirt (to this day, all guys look good in a gingham button up shirt, especially TOM HARDY).

The checked cotton fabric came out of the mundane and into fashion mainstream in the '50s and '60s thanks to style icons like AUDREY HEPBURN and ELIZABETH TAYLOR, who wore it in the form of cropped pants, skirts and bikinis. It took a high fashion turn in the 90’s with supermodels like NAOMI CAMPBELL IN AZZEDINE ALAIA and Linda Evangelista on the Versace runway in a classic gingham blazer.

Nowadays, it’s everywhere—from skirts to coats—and we couldn’t be happier. Especially in the summer months, gingham adds a dash of polish to hot weather style and still has that cool girl allure that BRIGITTE BARDOT and Jane Birkin made popular back in the day.

Here are some tips and tricks on how to make gingham your summer staple.

1. Show a little and some vintage-inspired sex appeal, by knotting your check button down at the waist with some HIGH-WAISTED DENIM. (Try out RUTHANN GINGHAM TIE FRONT TOP)

2. Classic plaid can sometimes feel masculine so offset it with feminine ruffles and cold shoulder styles like NEDRA COLD SHOULDER TOP.

3. Gingham can either feel simple and refined when paired with solid-hued basics, or give it a modern, unexpected twist and team it with a small-scale print or stripe. Check out our GINGHAM CRUSH PINTEREST BOARD for more inspiration.

4. Let’s not forget the beach classic—a gingham bikini like our XIRENA FAVE—a perfect mix of sexy and sweet (red pedicure optional but recommended).