Sorry Polka Dots, French Girls And Fashion Insiders Are Wearing This Other Classic Print On Repeat
From the tablecloths at Italian trattorias comes this season’s most ubiquitous trend—gingham tops. Indeed, the checkerboard print has quietly staged a comeback for 2025, saturating hot days with a sense of charm and class. In my opinion, there’s no better way to cement summer’s arrival than by method dressing in the print that is synonymous with warm weather activities—long picnics in London’s parks, alfresco lunches, sipping Aperol Spritz and roaming through long wild grasses in prairie fields.
“Gingham has that lovely mix of nostalgia and freshness,” explains Morgane Sézalory, the founder of perennially chic Parisian-based brand, Sézane. “After a few years of bold, graphic patterns, I think people are drawn to something that still makes a statement but in a softer, more timeless way,” she explains of its return. “It feels familiar, yet new again, especially in unexpected colours or silhouettes. And honestly, I think there’s something quite joyful about gingham. It lifts your mood instantly.”
Are Gingham Tops Still in Fashion?
Of course, the classic print has long held appeal to those in the know. The chequed motif’s most visible moment came in the form of Dorthy Gale’s iconic blue and white apron dress from The Wizard of Oz. (And subsequently Harry Styles’s custom Gucci rendition of this look during a Halloween performance in 2021 as part of his Love On Tour.)
Since the 1940s, it has been quickly adopted as part of the gamine uniform, with the aesthetic’s poster child, Audrey Hepburn, often spotted wearing gingham capri pants, including while off-duty in Rome, filming the film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s 1869 epic, War and Peace.
These days, however, the style has been adopted by discerning dressers wanting to inject their balmy ensembles with a sense of ease. In 2023, Margot Robbie kickstarted its comeback in a custom pink and white Prada two-piece set during the early stages of the Barbie press tour.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Style Notes: Margot Robbie wears a custom Prada look comprising of a pink gingham balconette top and mini skirt to the 2023 Cinemacon in Las Vegas.
The piece referenced the Milanese maison’s spring/summer 2023 menswear collection, though the print wasn’t touched again by the eponymous designer until Miu Miu’s most recent autumn/winter 2025 collection, where she presented a series of gingham trench coats and candy-coloured skirts.
(Image credit: Launch Metrics / Prada)
Style Notes: Gingham on the Prada SS23 runway.
(Image credit: Launch Metrics / Miu Miu)
Style Notes: Gingham on the Miu Miu AW25 runway.
As is often the case in fashion, where Miuccia Prada goes, the world follows. Recently, Alexa Chung wore a zip-up windbreaker jacket in the print, harkening back to her twee days.
This, in part, has been part of the issue of why gingham, unlike polka dots, hasn’t enjoyed mainstream popularity. Thanks to association with the cottagecore aesthetic, gingham tops have often felt a little costum-y.
But a recent reappraisal from the likes of Dôen and Australian independent brand Mode Mischief, gingham tops have certainly shifted away from provincial design elements and become a crucial part of city dressing.
In lieu of whimsical collars or excess frills, gingham has become discernibly ‘cool’, like this sculptural Maison Margiela set worn by Cynthia Erivo while in New York. (Her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande also made gingham a part of her Glinda-fied promotional wardrobe, too.)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Style Notes: Cynthia Erivo wears a full Maison Margiela look while in New York promoting the upcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good.
How to Style Gingham Tops
So, while you might no longer be wearing it to dress like the interiors of your favourite rustic bistro or channel your inner old Hollywood starlet, gingham tops can still cause apprehension to some. It shouldn’t though, argues Sézalory.
“Gingham is so versatile—across seasons, across styles,” she contends. “I guess you could also say gingham is seen as quintessentially French, so maybe that plays in our favour too. No stranger to the print, Sézalory adds “gingham adds just the right touch of femininity and playfulness without ever feeling over the top”.
“It’s an easy, understated way to add a bit of colour or pattern into your wardrobe. And above all, I believe getting dressed should feel joyful. Gingham keeps that spirit alive.”
Her styling advice? “Don’t be afraid to mix prints—gingham pairs beautifully with florals, stripes, even bolder patterns. It’s more adaptable than people think.” She describes gingham tops as a signature print for the brand this season, and recommends that first-timers stick to classic cuts. “Personally, I love a square neckline—simple, clean, but so flattering,” she adds.
“For a more relaxed look, a tie-front shirt in gingham is perfect for an easy summer day. The gingham brings personality, and the cut keeps it elegant. It’s about striking that balance between charm and structure.” This is something that styles from Reformation, Posse and Nobody’s Child have all achieved, too.
But as Sézalory reminds me, it’s not just in the shop fronts of high-street favourites and in designer boutique windows where you’ll find a chic gingham top to covet. “You’ll spot it all across Paris, too. It feels very now, yet still completely timeless. That’s the magic, isn’t it?” Ready to feel the allure? Ahead, the best gingham tops to shop now and all the styling inspiration you’ll ever need to wear them this season.
The Best Gingham Tops to Shop in 2025
The romantic ribbon and sweetheart neckline makes this Reformation style my top choice.
Pair with heeled clogs, a basket bag and your favourite blue jeans for the ultimate French girl ensemble.
Nobodys Child
Black Gingham Bandeau Peplum Top
POSSE
Rio Cropped Gingham Linen-Seersucker Top
Ganni
Gingham Shirred Shirt
DÔEN
June Gathered Gingham Organic Cotton Blouse
The piece that’s on every fashion insider’s summer wish list.
VERONICA BEARD
Lois Gingham Cotton-Blend Seersucker Vest
An elongated vest top is always a good idea.
STAUD
Montgomery Cropped Gingham Jacquard-Knit Tank
To quote Mean Girls‘s Cady Heron, the limit does not exist when it comes to the amount of Dôen gingham tops one can own.
H&M
Smocked Off-The-Shoulder Blouse
This off-the-shoulder version is such a steal.
Bananhot
Solay Gingham Tank Top
The sheer panelling and petite white rosette makes this style made for the French countryside. A trip to Bordeaux, anyone?
Free People
Tag You’re It Tank
Take cues from Addison Rae’s closet, vibrant hues will be back.
The Best Gingham Top Outfit Ideas
Style Notes: The combination of the puff sleeve and raffia bag makes this outfit perfect for the streets of Paris.
Style Notes: Make like Margot Robbie by emulating Emmanuelle Koffi’s pink and white Posse bandeau top and lace-up Chloé sandals.
Style Notes: This is a quintessential gingham top outfit, pairing a billowing blouse with white denim bermuda shorts and red ballet flats.
Style Notes: From the flouncy blue gingham tank, to the white denim jeans and brown boat shoes, consider this a city-approved outfit I’ll be replicating all summer.
Style Notes: British songstress Raye brings the gingham top trend to Tokyo.
Style Notes: I adore this pretty gingham co-ord set, especially when paired with this very sweet butter yellow manicure.
Style Notes: What’s black, white and red all over? An extremely chic gingham top look, obviously.
