It’s a Gingham Girl Summer

In pretty much every photo of me from ages three to five, I’m wearing gingham. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I did wear my handmade Dorothy dress basically every single day for a year, complete with glittery plastic ruby slippers. It’s been a long time since my Dorothy days, but guess what? I’m still wearing gingham on the regular—and you probably are, too.

The checkered pattern is a forever favorite, especially in the summertime. Just looking at those sweet little squares conjures up visions of sunny day picnics, garden parties and old-fashioned ice cream parlors. It’s retro and nostalgic without feeling costumey. It’s cute but not twee. It’s timeless, and perfect for summer. Sure, it’s a warm weather classic, but there’s no denying Gen Z cool girls are embracing the print more than ever this summer—read on for why.

The Trend

If gingham feels like it’s been around since the dawn of time, that’s because it basically has. Many historians believe gingham dates all the way back to the 1600s in Malaysia. Then, gingham made its way to Europe and its popularity blossomed from there. In the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s, gingham was a popular choice for day-to-day house and workwear dresses due to its durability; this is probably why Dorothy’s iconic dress is made from a cotton gingham, as she would have worn it daily for work on Auntie Em’s farm.

Gingham prints popped up in lots of Hollywood movies and on the stars themselves, including Marilyn Monroe, Katharine Hepburn, and Doris Day. French actress Brigitte Bardot loved gingham so much, she got married in a gingham dress.

The pattern conveys an aura of simplicity and sweetness, which is why it’s a mainstay for sundresses and cropped pants. In the 2020s, gingham got a boost from the cottagecore aesthetic, which began in the early stages of the pandemic as we tried to make our homes as cozy and comforting as possible. Brands like Doen and Hill House frequently feature the pattern in their ultra-feminine designs, adding to its traditional but not fussy allure.

Flash forward to 2024, where this summer’s twist on the coquette trend includes a dash of ’50s allure—it’s very early Lana Del Rey. Red and white gingham bloomers are replacing classic jean shorts, and the pattern is popping up on babydoll dresses and crop tops alike. It has a retro appeal, but because of its graphic nature it feels like a bolder, cooler choice than classic summer florals.

How to Wear It

You don’t have to dress up in Dorothy cosplay to wear gingham (though my toddler son does enjoy it when I wear a blue and white gingham dress.) The checkered pattern can go anywhere and everywhere with you, and you can find it anywhere and everywhere this summer too, from Reformation to Urban Outfitters.

A gingham sundress is the eternal go-to, but the pattern is equally cute on a miniskirt or hot pants for a “summer in Saint Tropez” vibe. Go retro with a crisp white blouse and pedal pushers or incorporate gingham into your look with a hair bow or scarf. Reformation’s Balia Linen Dress is pure date-night romance, while Old Navy’s budget-friendly Square-Neck Linen Blend Mini Dress would be adorable with flats and a kerchief in your hair.

Even High Sport, creators of the viral $800 stretch pants, has gotten into the gingham game for summer, releasing a pair of their signature pants and a pinup girl pencil skirt in a big, bold gingham. For a more relaxed take on the trend, try a loose-fitting cotton or cargo pant like BDG’s Charlie Gingham Wide-Leg Pant from Urban Outfitters, a less retro and feminine way to wear the pattern. Stick to gingham’s roots and opt for cotton or linen fabrics, which will keep you cool on hot days and can easily be tossed in the wash if you drip ice cream or ketchup on yourself while enjoying a summertime treat.

Gingham is equally adorable on shoes, like the Mackie Heel slingback from Lisa Says Gah or Dolce Vita’s Lilou Kitten Heels, which come in three colors and also feature the sweetest little daisy detail. And you can’t forget the gingham bikini, like this vintage-inspired style from Frankies Bikinis! Nothing says summer like gingham two-piece. Ahead, shop some of our gingham faves that will never go out of style.