Fashion for the Defense : Roll Tide - Styling with Houndtooth Checks

Houndstooth checks have always been one of my top favorite patterns to wear. I'm not sure if it was just ingrained in me as a child because my family are die-hard Alabama fans, or if it just kind of happened. My mother is from Alabama and I have wonderful memories of visiting there as I was growing up, and now Birmingham is one of my favorite places on earth. Either being an Alabama fan or an Auburn fan there is basically the equivalent to breathing. So I think now the Alabama gear (which includes houndstooth checks thanks to Bear Bryant) just gives me warm happy feelings inside.

But associations aside, houndstooth checks are just a beautiful pattern. They're more sophisticated than gingham and less festive than plaid. They're somehow subtle and chic at the same time. And while we tend to think of them as only black and white, I've added so many other color combinations of the checks to my wardrobe. I also have a red and white checked jacket, and a tone on tone checked gray skirt that I don't have pictures of yet, and I'm always on the lookout for new items. I guess that just means that this post will eventually have a part 2!

Houndstooth originated in the 1800's in Scotland (how appropriate for me) as a woven wool garment for shepherds. When it started it was referred to "shepherd's check" or "puppy-tooth" (because of the wonky square shape). In the 1930's the pattern became of symbol of wealth and was one the favorite patterns of Christian Dior. There is also a houndstooth tartan in Scotland. In the early 1900's the Duke of Windsor appeared in small houndstooth patterned jacket, and manufacturers all the over the world responded by adding the small "puppy-tooth" size pattern to their collections.

Here are some of my favorite ways to style this historically rich and beautiful pattern.