Is your favorite scarf really just a check pattern, or are you missing its real name? Fashion has its own vocabulary, by the time you finish reading, you'll speak it like an insider.
HERRINGBONE
WHAT IS IT?
Its a geometric weaving pattern that looks just like a fish skeleton. That is why it’s called "herringbone".
HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT?
It consists of rows of paralel lines that switch directions alternatively, creating "V" shapes.
WHY IS IT A CLASSIC?
It plays a trick on your eyes: from far away it looks like a solid color, but up close it reveals its texture. It is the ultimate pattern of British tailoring.
HOUNDSTOOTH
WHAT IS IT?
Born in Scotland, it’s a two-tone pattern. The British thought it looked like dog teeth, so it’s called houndstooth, while others saw a rooster’s footprint.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT?
It is defined by its four-pointed shapes, which form a broken check pattern, usually woven in two contrasting colors.
WHY IS IT A CLASSIC?
It is a classic of haute couture and tailoring, known for its bold contrast and timeless elegance that has endured for generations.
TARTAN
WHAT IS IT?
The famous check design of Scottish origin. In ancient times, based on the colors of your tartan, people knew exactly what family you belonged to and what region you came from.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT?
It is made by crossing horizontal and vertical lines of different colors to create a grid.
WHY IS IT A CLASSIC?
Because it carries centuries of history. It dressed British royalty with elegance, but it also became a symbol of rebellion in the punk movement of the 1970s. Today it remains a versatile, cozy pattern.
GEOMETRICS
WHAT IS IT?
This category gathers any design made with pure shapes like lines, circles, squares, or triangles. Although they look very modern, they actually exploded in the fashion world during the 1920s thanks to the artistic movement Art Deco.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT?
Intricate patterns woven directly into the fabric, not printed. Often reversible, with a rich, tactile texture.
WHY IS IT A CLASSIC?
Because our eyes love symmetry and order. Also, these patterns have a true superpower: if used well, they can flatter your figure, make you look taller, or add volume exactly where you need it.
WHICH PATTERN WILL YOU WEAR TODAY?
- Herringbone: sophisticated and detailed.
- Houndstooth: bold and elegant.
- Tartan: free and cozy.
- Jacquard: a lover of true quality and details.
- Geometrics: creative and original.
At Tom Gutie, we don’t choose these patterns by chance; we select them because we believe in fashion that tells stories and is made to last.
