Gingham Is Back for Summer 2026—and Cooler Than Ever
3 min readI am the type of woman who simply thrives in the summer, but I can’t always say I am the best when it comes to styling the season’s quintessential prints. Sure, there are undeniably delectable textures and eye-catching pattern play, but something like gingham has never sat quite as comfortably with me as, say, polka dots. While I’ve donned the picnic-esque print in the past, it doesn’t always land the way I want it to, as it’s always leaned a bit too feminine or coquettish for me. But as it turns out, gingham is getting cool—and now I want to wear it all the time.
Maybe it was about finding the right color for the checked print—or perhaps it was incorporating it into silhouettes that felt fresh rather than cliché. Either way, I can attest: Gingham is the perfect way to ramp up your ’fits this season. And I say this from my own experience; My newfound love affair began when I spotted a gingham funnel-neck jacket from Barbour (it’s now one of the most-worn pieces for spring’s more tumultuous days). Since then, I’ve been thinking of all the ways to incorporate the classic print into my looks—in a cool, fashion-girl way, of course. Naturally, it’s led me down a rabbit hole of seriously good pieces to add a playful pop to your summer wardrobe—all of which I’m sharing here with you. Scroll on to see the ways you can wear gingham like an It girl this summer.
Dresses
With a recent spike in temperatures foreshadowing what’s to come this summer, I’ve got easy, breezy one-and-done dresses fresh on my mind. You simply won’t go wrong with classic black or red styles, but if you’re feeling bold, I can’t see any reason not to opt for brighter pops of color (they’re just too good to pass up). And all you need are the right accessories to complete your look.
Rosie Assoulin Buttercup Gingham Short-Sleeve Midi Dress
Hunter Bell Louise Dress
Dôen Julia Dress
Guest In Residence Gingham Polo Dress
Tops
Okay, maybe you’re not much of a dress girl—it’s cool, neither am I. No worries, there are plenty of separates to go around. My personal picks are these collared options from Coach and Malbon, which give a bit of tomboy edge to the otherwise pretty print. Or, opt for a chic camisole or tank instead. Just imagine these paired with your favorite denim.
Malbon x HVN Mikayla Polo
Gap Gingham Denim Crop Shell Tank Top
Now 22% Off
Zara Gingham Camisole
Coach Coachtopia Loop Gingham Tie-Front Shirt
Bottoms
You can never underestimate the power of a statement-making bottom—and these are seriously good. All you need to complete your ensemble is a classic white T-shirt or a button-down. If you want to add to the It girl allure, may I suggest a sleek pair of jazz shoes as well?
Outerwear
Want to zhuzh up your outfits in minutes? The fashion girl’s way to do it is with a statement-making jacket or coat. ’Tis the season for rain showers and thunderstorms—and the occasional evening layer. I love the idea of a stylish and colorful raincoat like Loeffler Randall’s, and I already noted my favorite—but there are also some more neutral options that offer visual texture to your looks, too.
Barbour Bronwyn Showerproof Water Resistant Gingham Jacket
Loeffler Randall Kat Raincoat
Damson Madder Matilda Gingham Hooded Raincoat
Mango Checked Bomber Jacket
Why Trust ELLE
Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.