All of Autumn's Best Outfits Have This One Thing in Common

It’s hard to remember a time when checks didn’t dominate our wardrobes, but alas, it did exist. It was probably around five years ago that heritage checks and Gallic gingham made a catwalk resurgence and found their way back into our outfit rosters. I don’t know about you, but I’ve worn them in some iteration practically every day since.

This is likely owing to their typically neutral colour palette, which means checks tend to go with just about everything you can throw at them. Brighter styles are often balanced out with a darker secondary colour, too, so even bolder interpretations of the trend are easy to style. Checks also make for a cool print clash too, which many of our favourite influencers choosing to don them with floral and snake motifs this season.

That said, it often pays to go back to basics and embrace the most classic combinations. Which is this story comes in: I’ve scoured the social ether to bring you the easiest and most effective examples of how to wear checks for autumn 2019. From dresses and trousers to the autumn’s most-coveted add-ons, keep scrolling to see how those in the know are wearing fashion’s favourite print right now.

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#1: BLAZER
(Image credit: @styleidealist)

Style Notes: Checked blazers will not only help to elevate your denim, but they’ll also help elevate all those slip skirts you invested in at the start of 2019. 

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#2: CO-ORD
(Image credit: @wethepeoplestyle)

Style Notes: For maximum impact, don your checks top to toe with the help of a trouser suit or co-ord. Then give it a cool-girl flourish with the help of barely-there strappy sandals. 

Related: I'm a Stylist, and This Is the One Wardrobe Staple I Wear on Repeat in Winter

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#3: SKIRT
(Image credit: @katherine_ormerod)

Style Notes: If trousers aren’t your thing, skirt around the issue with a checked midi. It’ll give the simplest of jumpers a ladylike spin. Then, for more 2019 fashion points, add a pair of lace-up boots

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#4: TROUSERS
(Image credit: @maria_bernad)

Style Notes: Who said checks need to be boring? Look for brighter or pastel hues to give the trend a new lease of life. We love how María has enhanced the sugary hue of her strides with cream accessories and a mint blouse. 

Related: 8 Easy Dress-and-Boot Combos That Work Every Single Time

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#5: DRESS
(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Style Notes: Dresses have also been given the checked treatment this autumn. Mini iterations look achingly cool with denim jackets, cowboy boots and unexpectedly prim arm candy, as evidenced by Lucy.

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#6: ADD-ONS
(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: You needn’t wear full-on checks to tick off the trend. In fact, often a grid-print lapel or handbag (preferably Rejina Pyo’s cult-status top-handle) is all you need to get your check fix. Just add your favourite denim, tee and run-around shoes.

Up next, read all about the season’s top trends with our autumn/winter 2019 fashion report

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.