It’s no secret – or surprise – that check is once again a massive trend for AW18 and I am – as always – on board. While my style is predominantly inspired by the sixties and seventies, I have a soft spot for nineties grunge, punk checks and tartan so this outfit brings together many sartorial elements that I love. While a matching check suit is a powerful look, this trend inevitably encourages me to experiment and mix different checks together. I call this double check - you can have double denim so why not double check?
BLAZER: VINTAGE VIA BEYOND RETRO | SKORT: VINTAGE | TURTLENECK: BODEN (OLD) | BOOTS: BY FAR VIA NET-A-PORTER
Let’s start with the blazer. It’s vintage, adorned in a gorgeous red tartan check and I bought it about five years ago from Beyond Retro. I didn’t wear it much at the time because I was conscious of the shoulders being too big. Fast forward five years and big shoulders is everything I could want from a statement blazer. The way our perceptions change of what looks good always fascinates me and that’s why I’m always so reluctant to give away (to charity) my hard-earned and sort-after vintage pieces. ‘One day, I will like that again,’ I tell myself, and usually I’m right. How glad I am that I did not give up on this blazer.
This skort, on the other hand, will be a forever favourite. Countless times and in countless ways you’ve seen it styled up on this blog and I’m not about to stop anytime soon. What can I say? It’s the skort that keeps on giving. Another vintage piece, it is patchwork suede mixed with subtle tartan check panels, which add some extra interest to this already statement piece. Paired with a black turtleneck jumper, you’ve got a classic sixties look (which I love, of course) but throw on this red tartan blazer on top and it’s the perfect kind of juxtaposition.
The secret to clashing different checks – and why these two pieces work so well together – is a common colour within the two prints. Ivy green is the colour in this look. Running subtly through the tartan of the blazer and being more stand out in both the patchwork and check elements of the skort means these two pieces work effortlessly together.
I finished the look with my new By Far boots. They are the Becca boots in black suede and I have, no joke, been lusting after these for over a year. But that purchase deserves an entire blog post to itself.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post after styling double check. Of course, the weather has become much chillier since these photos were taken but I think this outfit will look just as great with some wool tights and chunky biker boots once winter truly sets in. Have a great week and I’ll be back soon with another post! X
