With the resurgence of 50s and 60s style that seems to be taking over the runways, bold prints and pattern mixing are the must-have wardrobe staples for this season. So it’s no wonder that houndstooth print is making a huge comeback in the world of fashion. In the 60s it was all about Anne Klein’s houndtooth women’s suits, and in the 80s Chanel used hounds tooth, which solidified its role as a fabric for high society ladies. But in 2011 anyone can wear this print any number of ways! Read on to find out who’s using houndstooth, and how you can wear this bold print for any occasion, not just a fancy brunch with the ladies.
Sticking to the classic style:
One way to wear houndstooth is to wear the tried and true classic black and white pattern. This doesn’t mean you have to wear it head-to-toe, covering every inch of your body a la Lady Gaga. Find one really great piece like a skirt from Salvatore Ferragamo, or a tailored jacket, and mix it with other solid colours and even other patterns. Or take some fabulous Ferragamo houndstooth shoes and pair them with your little black dress for a new twist on an old favourite.
Try a new colour:
Some designers are taking this classic pattern and making it with new colours and fabrics. Carolina Herrera does an amazing black and gold full-bodied hounds tooth skirt, which is definitely a fresh take on this timeless pattern. This is really a statement skirt, and would look great with a solid coloured sweater or a lightly printed blouse. These days, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find this print in a variety of different colours to choose from.
A cool stretch on an old classic:
Typically the pattern is made up of evenly spaced checks on a solid background. However some designers are taking the recognizable houndstooth checks with the notched corners and working them in with other patterns, or spacing them farther apart to create new variations of this typical pattern. Take Rag and Bone Fall 2011 for example. They spaced out the check and put them over dots for a look that is not your grandmother’s houndstooth.
Expand to your whole wardrobe:
The houndstooth pattern has typically been used for skirt suits and jackets, so a great way to update this trend for 2011 is to find other atypical items covered in the pattern. For instance a pair of pants like the ones from Stella McCartney Resort 2012 would really stand out as something different. Or a clutch, like this one from Salvatore Ferragamo Fall 2011. Who knows what else you might be able to find in this pattern¦ Scarves, belts, even bras! A little punch of this pattern will add interest to any outfit.
