Gingham Is Trending Thanks To Margot Robbie's Picnic-Inspired Barbie Outfit
Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" has already stolen our hearts with its fabulously pink, campy aesthetic — we're truly living in the Barbiecore era and couldn't be happier. To add to the Barbie fervor, the press tour of the film has brought us a cascade of incredible style inspiration courtesy of Margot Robbie's Barbiecore outfits, including a surprising newfound interest in gingham.
Gingham, the checked print that's been around for hundreds of years, sometimes gets associated with bland shirts or cliché attempts at folksy styles. But as Margot Robbie demonstrated with her pink cropped set at Las Vegas Cinemacon and her stunning dress in the film's trailer, gingham isn't just for the farm anymore. The gingham styles of today are a far cry from your parents' old picnic blanket, ranging from romantic gingham dresses to spunky gingham graphic prints. So if you want a versatile pattern to take you through the warmer months, it may be time to start investing in some increasingly trendy gingham looks.
Femme retro prints
To fully embrace the cutesy retro vibes of this latest gingham trend wave, you'll need something pink. Discover your inner Barbie (or your inner Betty Draper, for a more mature angle) and throw on a pink gingham A-line sundress. The print will give your entire outfit a charming, wholesome effect, while the flattering silhouette of the dress will have you feeling like a sexy style icon.
Gothic gingham
Gingham doesn't have to be an innocent look. Take a dip into the Southern Gothic aesthetic with dark gingham prints. Gingham in black or deep red creates a moody, vintage feel, especially when you incorporate delicate details like lace or small bows. Keep the look more gothic and less skater girl by focusing on small-scale gingham prints and more feminine, tailored pieces. Add a black choker and a messy updo, and you'll look like you stepped right out of a Faulkner novel.
Casually playful
You can also use gingham as a casual, contemporary print that breaks up other textures or colors in your ensemble. A look that would otherwise seem plain will feel more intentional when there's a splash of whimsy. For example, a gingham skirt or pants paired with a graphic T-shirt brings extra fun to a daytime outfit. Another classic casual combo is a gingham sundress over a white T-shirt with chunky sneakers. As long as you're mindful of the color scheme, gingham can work with a wide range of everyday looks.
Sunny office ensembles
If you want a work-appropriate print that's a little more interesting than stripes, gingham is a great choice. Gingham brings some warmth and fun to summertime workwear without being too distracting or informal. Wear a sleeveless gingham blouse with lightweight trousers, or a gingham midi skirt and linen blazer. You could even sport some gingham in your accessories, such as a gingham headband. Cultivate your own Mary Tyler Moore energy with a colorful gingham print or stick to neutral tones if you prefer an understated professional style.
Gingham in a set
Take a page from Margot Robbie's style book and experiment with a matching gingham set. You can keep things sweet and simple with a regular crop top and shorts, or do a '90s-preppy-meets-Barbie aesthetic and get a cropped blazer and skirt set. Look for a blazer with structured shoulders, as this will give you a more retro silhouette and ensures that the printed fabric will hang nicely on your frame. To make your gingham set stand out, choose something with a unique detail, such as oversized buttons or an eye-catching graphic design.
Gingham with a hint of glam
Another way to experiment with gingham is to wear it on upscale, glamorous pieces. For instance, an otherwise standard curve-hugging dress will become much more distinctive in a gingham print. If you don't already have a gingham outfit that automatically brings the va-va–va-voom, try elevating a casual gingham dress with high heels and a luxurious purse. Gingham can add life to any aesthetic, and this latest rendition of the trend is sure to offer a plethora of new creative ways to rock the old-school print.