By most accounts, gingham is a girlish fabric, reminiscent of summer picnics in the country. Judy Garland was a picture of innocence when she donned a blue gingham pinafore in 1939's The Wizard of Oz. Coquettish Brigitte Bardot wore a pink gingham wedding dress in 1959. For spring and summer 2015, designers and retailers have revived the fabric in black and navy. The colours are more subdued, but the pattern still has youthful flair, which means it adds lightness to an otherwise grown-up ensemble.

So you want to wear a gingham…dress


Sleeveless gingham dress, $118, guess.ca.

Add: An edgy leather jacket (on cool evenings) and colourful accessories.


Clockwise from top left: Leather jacket, $138, express.com. Earrings, $79, swarovski.com. Strappy suede sandals, $80; clutch, $80, marshallscanada.ca.

So you want to wear a gingham…top


Gingham picnic top, $168, anthropologie.com.

Add: Black or white shorts, flat sandals and summery accessories such as a pastel cross-body bag and raffia fedora.


Clockwise from top left: Classic shorts, $29; T-strap sandals, $19; joefresh.com. Raffia fedora, $55, ninewest.ca. Cross-body bag, $27, dynamiteclothing.com.

So you want to wear a gingham…skirt


Gingham asymmetrical-hem skirt, $60, lechateau.com.

Add: A floral or striped blouse with a black or white background, pointy-toed booties, a structured white bag and movie-star sunglasses.


Clockwise from top left: Blouse, $20, winners.ca. Leather dome handbag, $179, danier.com. Booties, $200, ninewest.ca. Sunglasses, $12, aldoshoes.com.

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