GETTING AHEAD ON SPRING TRENDS | CHECK MATE

Anyone else absolutely flipping thrilled that the worst is over when it comes down to the weather, or so it seems at least, can somebody please touch wood!?
Spring appears to be on it’s way, the sun is beaming through my window as I type and we’re officially in double figures temperature wise… HURRAAAH!

I’m actually heading on holiday this Sunday, something that is LONG overdue and I found myself getting a little emotional about the other day as it’s safe to say, I am certainly in need of a switch off.

So with that this will be my penultimate blog post.
I decided not to pre-plan, pre-write and schedule posts as I often like to write from the heart about exactly how I’m feeling in that moment, so writing weeks in advance didn’t feel quite right for me, I hope you don’t mind. A week or two away from the online world is exactly what I need and I’m SO excited to feel rejuvenated once I return in April.

However, we still have two posts left until then and today’s is the second instalment of our seasonal trend chat. Following the success of my Crayola Brights post (give it a read here), today we’re going to be talking about the whole check trend that has taken the SS18 catwalks by storm. Checks have certainly been doing the rounds for many seasons heck, the print has been doing the rounds for years upon years, but this season theres something really rather special about the much loved print.

Last summer it was all about gingham, dainty checks predominantly in black and white that flooded the rails in every shop within our high street and it was absolutely no secret that I was a teeny, tiny bit into it. You’ll be pleased to know, and I’m certainly thrilled to hear, that gingham is still doing the rounds this time around (I mean it bloody better be, I invested HARD in that trend last summer) however, there are some further checks that have been thrown into the mix to create a print trend like no other.

Plaid checks began filtering their way into the fashion scene late last year and are set to be huge for SS18, with the whole punk trend that is key for the season and all. It’s my absolute favourite print of the season, go all out with a plaid kilt, trousers or even a full suit or keep things subtle with a good ole plaid shirt, this is a trend I feel we can all get involved with, so much so, I’ve left my favourites from the world wide web below for you to have a nosey of.

But if it’s a little bit of catwalk inspiration that you’re after then look to the long reigning King of the Check at Burberry for their SS18 shows and lessons in wearing check, however, for me the ultimate in check education comes in the form of the Balenciaga show.

Balenciaga really showed us how to wear the check this season and it’s certainly not in an understated way. Clash your checks with more checks, go all out on plaid but then throw in some gingham, some checkerboard or some Prince Of Wales check to really go all out on this seasons must have print trend. It’s a show thats seriously inspiring me and my outfit choices right now and really shows us how to style checks in a number of different ways, definitely one to take a look at if you’re in need of some style inspiration for the season ahead.

And with that, you can see that I’m getting ahead and clashing my checks to make a really fun and unique look of my own, the perfect transitional look if you ask me. Made up of some old favourites and some new ones too, to show you that it’s highly likely you’ll have some of the check trend already hiding in your wardrobe. Just have a little rummage and then play about with check sizes, colours, proportions and layers and have some fun alá Balenciaga.

I’m SO excited that so many of you are on board with me showing how to give some new love to old items within my wardrobe (see this post here), it’s really inspired me and challenged me as a stylist to come up with some new and fun ways to inspire you with the clothes you’ve already seen, so thanks for being oh so cool, as always!

x M

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROSIE BUTCHER