WHERE IT CAME FROM
A variation of plaid, the windowpane check gets its name from how it looks; a repeating pattern of framed windows. Characterized by stark lines that are further apart than graph checks, they can be found in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. While we all know that plaid seems to have a recurring lifecycle: runway, flock to purchase, wear, discard, condemn, judge, burn…repeat! It’s no surprise that windowpane also gets caught up in the mix of it all. However, thanks to its more simplified take on it all, it seems to have far greater longevity over the years than its more ostentatious cousins, gingham and madras.
THROUGH THE AGES
The windowpane pattern can be seen through the ages, scrolling back to the beginning of the 1900s and fast forwarding to 2020 Paris Fashion Week. Largely due to its restricted colour palette, it seems whether pant or skirt the grid works as a timeless look and compliments any outfit. In over a century, what remains top of relevance is timelessness. Quality pieces that stand up year after year and easily paired with diverse tastes will never truly go out of style. 1960s suits photographed in Italy can still be worn in the every day. It is items like this that are an investment; collected and passed down, worn and re-worn with the same strong sense of self. All the while, the pattern is what manages to maintain the youthful edge of it all, standing out in the crowd against tedious solid-colour counterparts.
1969, Marrian-McDonnell Pant Suit
2018, New York Street Style
1923, Woollen Coat
2018, London Fashion Week
1967, Safari Day Dress
2018, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
1967, Modèles Paterson
2017, London Fashion Week
1923, Checkered Coat
2017, Paris Street Style
1951, Italy
2018, New York Fashion Week
1973, House of Givenchy
2019, Milan Fashion Week
1969, Jacket
2019, Milan Fashion Week
2020, Paris Fashion Week
1996, Anna Sui
2018, Berlin
1985, Jean-Louis Scherrer
2020, Paris Fashion Week
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Pinterest Board: Seeing Clearly Windowpane Patterns We Love
Don’t forget to show some love. Photo credit: Tan Danh via Unsplash
Coralie Myrne
Coralie Myrne is a seasoned journalist with a keen eye for sustainable fashion trends, serving as the voice of conscience for "EcoStyle Insights." Combining her love for writing with a passion for environmental advocacy, she travels the world uncovering the stories behind eco-friendly designs and the innovators shaping the industry. With a commitment to authenticity and a dedication to promoting conscious consumerism, Coralie empowers readers to make informed choices while looking effortlessly stylish.