Checkmate

Windowpane patterns are haute at the moment with designers adopting a square approach to print for Fall as well as for Spring/ Summer.

Designer Jyoti Sachdev Iyer asserts that windowpane pattern has been catching the fancy of several design gurus for quite sometime and it is something that’s going to be seen on every silhouette under the sun for seasons to come. She says, “In fashion, when you cross an age of catwalk minimalism with an era of austerity, trends become incredibly down-to-earth. One of the punchiest utilitarian styles on the catwalk this season has been windowpane checks, referencing tower blocks. Known also as the chessboard checks because they reflect a stark grid of square tiles in traditional black and white or in yellow and white, they are the king of the fashion game right now.”

Explaining about several patterns in checks and plaids, designer Esha Amin avers, “Checks are usually squares of two different colours while plaids consist of crossed horizontal and vertical bands. Check patterns are much simpler than a plaid. Plaids involve varying widths of striping so you can really get creative with that. There are several types of plaids like the Tartan, Tattersall, Windowpane, Madras, Gingham and Glen. Taking its name from the window-like wide square plaid pattern, windowpane patterns are formed by two perpendicular pinstripes that generally constitute broader checks. It can be seen on everything these days from woollen coats to slouchy cool-girl separates and easy shirt dresses.”

However, if you are feeling ‘trend shy’, pair it with basics, advises designer Sumona Parekh. She avers, “The print presents a perfect opportunity for colour-blocking especially in classic black and white hues. You can style it with basic colours to make its artful grid lines the centrepiece of your look. And if you are game for some mixing-up action then pairing the windowpane print with more subtle and concentrated patterns like polka dots, plaids or even ginghams are fun and chic ways to adopt the style. However, if you are one of those who believe that the print is too bold to be worn on a dress, shirt or pants, you may adopt them in the form of accessories which is a good way to dabble in the trend without going overboard. A windowpane scarf can energise and refine a look by adding a bit of pizzazz while maintaining a level of minimalism and subtlety. Also, instead of the classic lines of the windowpane print, opt for pieces that ‘blur’ the line. And when in doubt, always wear a dress.”

Designer Anisha Chaudhri of Threads & Shirts agrees and adds, “The trick to styling a windowpane pattern is not to treat it too reverentially. Style it as you would a stripe: just as a striped collar peeking over the top of a crew neck sweater is a classic and a striped T-shirt looks good glimpsed under a cardigan or gilet. So the windowpane pattern will look more chic in small doses. Ease your way in.”

Also, there’s good news for men who want to adopt this trend. Opting for a classic plaid suit is the way to go, says Nitin Singh of BoSquare. He suggests, “When we hear plaid, most of us think ‘kilt’. But that’s not what we’re talking about. In contemporary menswear terms, ‘plaid’ refers to three individual fabric patterns that create interesting depth in the aesthetic of the suit: windowpane, glen plaid and Prince of Wales. When it comes to the workday, the plaid suit is super-sartorial. The individual components can be worn separately to more relaxed, stylish events.”

He adds, “Windowpane pattern is straightforward and what you see is what you get. So, the best choice is to go ‘two for three’ with patterns. Those with more fashion sense can probably pull together three patterns with a fair amount of ease though.”