A Complete Guide to Different Types of Check Shirts for Men
Gingham, Tartan, Houndstooth, Shepherd, Graph, and more are the most popular types of check shirts in India. Patterns come in different dress styles for various occasions and occasions.
A check shirt is a shirt whose lines intersect horizontally and vertically to make a square or rectangle. Every Indian has at least worn a check shirt on casual weekends, semi-formal office days, and so you should own it.
This guide will make you know the different types of check shirts as well as style the patterns accordingly, along with selecting the right fabrics so that it would suit the Indian climate.
Different Types of Check Shirts
|
Check Type |
Best For |
Key Feature |
Style Tip |
|
Gingham |
Summer office & casual |
Even-sized squares, two colors |
Navy gingham + beige chinos |
|
Tartan |
Winter casual |
Multi-color Scottish pattern |
Red tartan + dark jeans |
|
Windowpane |
Business & formal |
Large thin lines like window frames |
White/navy windowpane + blazer |
|
Madras |
Summer casual & vacation |
Bright uneven checks in cotton |
Bold Madras + white linen trousers |
|
Buffalo |
Street style & outdoor |
Large, two-color blocks |
Red/black buffalo + distressed jeans |
|
Houndstooth |
Semi-formal & formal |
Broken check pattern |
Black/white houndstooth + blazer |
|
Shepherd |
Classic office wear |
Tiny uniform two-color checks |
Grey trousers + shepherd check shirt |
|
Graph |
Business formal |
Small squares like graph paper |
Light blue graph + navy trousers |
|
Tattersall |
Casual & semi-formal |
Thin stripes, spaced evenly |
Cream tattersall + dark denim |
|
Plaid |
Everyday versatile |
Irregular lines & colors |
Green plaid + black jeans |
Understanding the types of Check shirts Patterns
1. Gingham Checks
Gingham checks have even size squares interweaved two different yarns, i.e., white and other color like blue, red or black. They comprise one of the standard types of check shirt since they are thin and breezy and are ideal during summer. They will be worn at the office particularly in India where it is worn with formal pants or chinos that are semi formal shirts.
Style Tip: Pair a navy gingham shirt and beige chinos to get a smart and breezy feel.
Lumber Flannel Check Shirt In Ash Grey
2. Tartan Checks
Tartan is a very loud and classic Scottish pattern that has several colors intersected to each other in different thickness. In India, the tartan check shirts are popular due to their winter appeal mostly in the warm flannel material.
Style Tip: Red tartan shirt with dark blue jeans and boots gives a macho look and feel of outdoors
3. Windowpane Checks
Windowpane checks resemble pattern like window frame due to large and thin squares. They are simple and classy and thus they fit in any suit or any smart-cool attire.
Style Tip: A white formal shirt with navy windowpane checks goes really well with a navy blazer and grey trousers and is a nice business-ready style.
4. Madras Checks
Madras check shirts comes from Chennai origin. In instance, they are made up of pure cotton. The designs are bright in colors with checks not coming up evenly, which makes them casual and summery.
Style Tip: Use a bold Madras check shirt combined with White Linen Shirt to get a vacation appropriate outfit.
5. Buffalo Checks
Buffalo checks are imposing patterns that contain big squares normally of two hues i.e. red and black or Black and White Shirts.
Style tip: If you want to style for a casual street style, pair with a distressed jeans and sneakers on red and black buffalo check shirt.
6. Houndstooth Checks
Houndstooth is technically a broken check pattern but as long as it is a check, it gives a sophisticated flair to the common types of check shirts. It is perfect when it comes to semi-formal and formal events and is usually in black and white or muted colors.
Style Tip: Whenever you want to go out smart, a houndstooth check shirt beneath a solid blazer is a very nice move.
7. Shepherd Checks
The shepherd checks are tiny, similar-looking checks of different colors, usually the black and white checks. They are gingham in nature, but are more traditional in look.
Style Tip: Pair it with grey trousers in order to create a simple yet fashionable office attire.
8. Graph Checks
Graph checks are simply having thin lines that pass across one another to create little squares resembling graph paper.
Style Tip: Pair with navy trousers and a tie to have a professional look.
9. Tattersall Checks
Tattersall designs consist of thin stripes of regular spacing with alternate colors on light background. They are an old British style and ideal to wear in casual and semi-formal dresses.
Style Tip: Put on a cream tattersall check shirt with dark denim to have a classic yet casual weekend style.
10. Plaid Checks
Plaid is one of the types of check shirts which is normally confused with tartan. Plaid patterns have an irregular variation of lines and color combinations and are quite versatile to wear every day.
Style Tip: Make it green plaid shirt and black jeans as smart-casual.
Styling tips for different Types of Check Shirts
1. Styling Casually: Pair jeans or cargo pants to come up with the relaxed look.
2. Semi-Formal Style: Opt your chinos and loafers to get a smart-casual style.
3. Layered Vibe: Don a plain T-shirt under an unbutton to get a chic, youthful look.
4. Seasonal Styling: In the summer choose lighter colors and in the winter, go darker.
Conclusion
Check shirts have been a staple in fashion for years as it is easily adopted in the workplace. When you become familiar with different types of check shirts, you can create your looks for every occasion. However, as important as the type of check shirting fabric, it's equally as pertinent to understand the type of fit as well, especially considering India's varied climate.
To ensure you never need to worry about which check shirt to wear, it's good practice to own each types of check shirt. For example, have a crisp gingham for the summer, a woolly tartan for the winter, or even a plaid for the two in between the summer and winter.
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FAQs
1.What is the best check shirt to wear in the office?
Graph, micro and windowpane checks are discreet and business like.
2. Do check shirts suit summer in India?
Right, best to use light cotton or linen.
3. What are some of the ways to wear a check shirt in winter?
Layering with jacket, sweater or blazer will be good and stylish.
4. What is a tartan check and a plaid?
Tartan have pattern of Scottish ancestry but plaid have an enlarged pattern.
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