Wondering how to style checkered pants? What shoes should you pair them with? How do you accessorise it?
I will help you.
As a fashion enthusiast, I often recommend checked pants to women who are looking for an outfit that is simple and stylish, yet a bit unique.
In this comprehensive guide, I'm going to show you why this clothing item is so versatile and how you can match it with other pieces in your wardrobe to achieve a look that's uniquely yours!
A pair of checked pants can be paired with a solid top (crop top, t-shirt, or blouse) or a top with the same check pattern for a high-fashion graphic look. This also applies to coats and jackets that you can wear with checked pants: a matching pattern will be very trendy, but you can also keep it classic with a simple long coat or go bold with a black leather jacket. When it comes to shoes, mix up the materials by pairing your checked pants with black leather ankle boots, Converse sneakers, or elegant tone-on-tone sandals!
Want to know more details? Keep reading to find out:
- How checked trousers became a trend,
- What to wear with them no matter your style,
- Outfit ideas suitable for all seasons,
- Shoe examples that will perfectly match checked trousers,
- And ideas for accessories to elevate your look!
The Checkered Pattern: A Brief History of a Timeless Print
Like polka dots, checks are one of those classic patterns that we've seen worn by our parents and grandparents. Their history actually dates back several centuries! Let's discover together how check prints have achieved the international success they enjoy today.
Cekak atau tartan?
Check patterns are sometimes referred to as tartan; however, there is a difference between these two fabrics, even though the former has its roots in the latter. Tartan refers to the various types of distinct patterns worn by Scottish clans for thousands of years, which helped them identify one another.
Checkered prints date back to the 16th century, when some British manufacturers took inspiration from tartan to create similar patterns. Writings from 1538 refer to these prints, which were quite popular among the nobility.
The Second Half of the 20th Century: The Rise of Checked Patterns as a Fashion Trend
After being exported to Europe and the United States, checkered patterns gradually became a classic motif in clothing fabrics. However, things changed in the 1970s, and this print took on a new character: shifting from a design seen as traditional and rustic, it became trendy and acquired a stylish and sophisticated connotation. It started appearing everywhere, notably worn by Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions.
In the 1980s, the punk movement took plaid patterns and wore them in a grunge style, with ripped jeans, for instance. Following this spirit of rebellion, the 1990s made plaid one of the hallmarks of grunge fashion culture. It became a staple in the wardrobe of iconic bands of the era like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and The Breeders.
Sure! Please provide the content you'd like me to translate, and I'll help you with that.Today: When and How to Wear Checked Trousers in the 2020s?
Today, check patterns are still in style and have even seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the hipster trend, which has brought them back into the spotlight.
Wearing checked trousers instantly adds style to your outfit while maintaining a slightly non-conformist and rebellious edge that lets you express your personality. It can serve as a chic detail in a casual outfit when paired with a relaxed top, or it can look extremely stylish, even haute couture, when worn as a complete ensemble.
What Top to Wear with Checkered Trousers?
The choice of top that you wear with your checked pants will define your style: to help you find what suits you best, I've put together a short list of various options you can consider in the following lines.
A Crop Top
Wearing a crop top with checkered pants will give you a youthful and vibrant look. I recommend pairing it with high-waisted pants to create a nice balance with the cropped style of the top. Some heels would also be a great addition to complete this outfit.
👉 If you have wider hips or thighs and want to draw attention to the upper part of your body with this look, go for a dark plaid pattern instead.
A white blouse
This classic piece is practical as it fits most contexts:
🔸 For a professional look, tuck your shirt into your trousers.
🔸 For a more casual look, you can tuck your blouse out of your pants or leave a few buttons open to create a bit of a neckline.
If you're looking to achieve a more unique and polished look, consider pairing your blouse with a wide belt that matches the colour of your shoes, for instance.
A Plain T-shirt
Checkered patterns are quite striking and can really elevate your style. Pairing them with a solid-coloured t-shirt will highlight the checkered pants beautifully, making them the focal point of your outfit. For a chic look, opt for a neutral colour like black, white, grey, or brown.
👉 The colour of your t-shirt should ideally match one of the shades in your trousers, preferably one that’s more subtle.
A matching t-shirt
If you love wearing trendy outfits that stand out a bit, don’t hesitate to pair your checkered pants with a matching patterned t-shirt. To create a stylish look, it’s important that both items have the exact same print and not something merely similar, as this may break the high-fashion vibe of your outfit.
👉 To avoid looking like you're wearing a jumpsuit, you can try cinching your outfit with a belt, tucking in your top into your pants, or going for a cropped top.
A cable-knit sweater
Looking for a warm and comfy outfit that still looks stylish? Pair your checkered pants with a loose, chunky knit sweater. By creating a colour coordination between your sweater and pants and opting for a more fitted pair of trousers, you’ll achieve a cute and chic look.
A Solid Cardigan
No matter what you're wearing, a cardigan is a reliable choice to give your outfit a classic yet cute look, making it suitable for all occasions. It's also a great option if you need to stay warm while being able to move freely: by rolling up the sleeves of your cardigan, you won't risk staining or damaging your outfit.
A graphic t-shirt
When we talk about a graphic t-shirt, we're referring to any t-shirt with a design on it, which appears only on a part of the clothing and is unique. Otherwise, it’s considered a pattern or print, like checks, polka dots, or floral designs…
Wearing this type of t-shirt with your checked pants is totally doable, as long as the t-shirt is in a colour that matches your pants. The design or message on the t-shirt allows you to show off your uniqueness, while still looking stylish and trendy with the checked pants.
What coat or jacket to wear with checkered pants?
Thinking of rocking checked pants this winter? Just like picking the right top, choosing a jacket is essential to put together your outfit. Here are some options that will pair perfectly with checked pants:
- A matching blazer with the same pattern as your trousers for a very chic tailored look,
- A leather perfecto to bring out the grunge aspect of the checked trousers mentioned in the first part of this guide,
- A simple ¾ length straight coat in a neutral colour for a stylish and elegant look for any occasion.
What shoes to wear with checked trousers?
Once you've picked out your clothes, it's time to choose the perfect pair of shoes to complement your checkered pants. These pants are quite easy to match and go well with most shoe styles: it's how you style your footwear that will help define your overall look.
- with ballet flats for an adorable preppy look,
- with low-top sneakers for a youthful and modern vibe,
- in a grunge style with high-top sneakers like Converse,
- chic and sexy with high-heeled pumps,
- elegant with ankle boots.
🛑 The checked pattern looks great when you can see it fully: I recommend that, whenever possible, you avoid any high shoes that cover the pants and hide them (like thigh-highs or knee-high boots…).
👉 While checked pants can be paired with many types of shoes, they generally don’t go well with bold colours like bright red, yellow, or teal. For a polished look, it’s better to opt for neutral colours such as black, brown leather, grey, beige, or white.
What Accessories to Choose to Enhance Your Checked Trousers?
Accessories are the finishing touch to your look! They highlight the rest of your outfit and should be chosen carefully. With checkered trousers, mixing materials can be a great option: smooth leather, for example, provides a nice contrast to the patterns of your pants and adds elegance to your outfit.
For example, you can wear:
- a wide belt,
- a stylish handbag,
- a beret hat,
- and sunglasses…
👉 Remember to match your accessories with each other by choosing the same materials (or materials with similar characteristics), or by coordinating your accessories to complement the colour of your checked trousers, creating a pleasing monochromatic look that's easy on the eyes.
I hope this comprehensive guide on checkered pants has helped you incorporate this iconic piece into your wardrobe and especially, into your everyday outfits.
If you’re looking for trendy and unique clothing to express your style, don’t hesitate to check out our online store dedicated to bohemian fashion. We carefully curate chic and one-of-a-kind outfits throughout the year, including our collection of tops, where you’re sure to find something to pair with your checkered pants!