The romantic Vichy pattern, AKA Gingham, is back, just in time for spring and summer. The colourful checkered pattern takes us back immediately to Brigitte Bardot in the ‘60s. It also makes us dream of picnics and lazy summer days.
A bit of history
Originally made in India and Indonesia, the cotton textile had bright coloured stripes, hence its name gengang, which is Malay for striped. The East India Company began exporting the colourful fabric to Europe in the early 17th Century. Textile mills in the UK and the south of the USA started producing a checked variety that they called Gingham, in the mid 18th Century. The French claim the iconic plaid pattern originated in France, more specifically in the region of Vichy. At the same time, Americans feel nothing is more American than the checkered textile immortalized by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz and Marilyn Monroe wearing tight gingham shirts.
Whether you call the romantic pattern Vichy or Gingham, there are several ways you can wear it in 2020.
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Total look
You can wear head-to-toe Vichy look, including matching face masks made out of recycled bedsheets by the Austrian Meshit. Checkered suits and jumpsuits are great spring office looks. Complete the look with loafers, one of the spring shoes you need for a capsule wardrobe.
Gingham instead of flowers
Instead of florals, go for Vichy-Gingham dresses this spring. For extra fashion points, wear dramatic puffy sleeves like Jeanette Madsen.
Simple chic skirt
If you don’t want to wear an entire Vichy look, go for a skirt. Midi skirt paired with a denim or white shirt creates an effortlessly chic look. Wear this combo from the office to lunch with friends.
Riviera’s style trousers
Very ’60s, the Vichy cigarette pants were a must for Princess Grace de Monaco and Audrey Hepburn. Get that Provençal air with these fab checkered trousers.
French girl look
Like a true French girl, wear a little Vichy jacket in the style of Coco Chanel. And to make it more contemporary, add a removable Peter Pan wide collar that you can get here.
Focus on the top
Add a summer vibe to any outfit by pairing a gingham top to your trousers, shorts or skirts.
Just a drop of gingham
For the minimalists, bring a bit of fun to your monochromatic outfits by adding accessories with the Vichy pattern like shoes, a Courrèges mini bag, tote or a hairband.
Beach chic
Like a modern Brigitte Bardot, wear one or two-piece swimsuits. By the way, you can also wear your swimsuit as a top or layered under a shirt and paired with jeans or shorts.
Street style photos taken during Fashion Week via Shutterstock.