Why You Need it in Your Closet
As a designer I believe that fabric and textiles are arguably one of the biggest muses to fashion and product design as a whole. There is just something about the mood and feeling that fabric can invoke that inspires a designer to create wearable art. Some textile prints are considered timeless and will always be a staple in design; Houndstooth is certainly one of those fabrics. Now I could be bias because it is one of my favorite diagonal weave textiles but its hard to argue its timelessness.
With origins dating somewhere between 360 AD and 100 AC in low land Scotland; houndstooth was usually made out of wool (although nowadays the print can be seen on almost any type of fabric) and worn as outer wear for shepherds. The name “Houndstooth” was essentially coined because of the prints resemblance to the shape of a dogs tooth.
Houndstooth became more popular in fashion and mainstream apparel sometime in the 1930s and it’s still finding its place on Runways and on store racks today.
This two-toned textile ; also known as “Shepherds Check”, made one of it’s first appearances on the high fashion scene in Christian Diors 1948 Haute Couture S/S collection. Although originally seen in black and white; houndstooth can now be seen in different color and scale variations throughout fashion.
Houndstooths emergence on the fashion scene all those years ago was as a symbol of wealth and class and it still exudes such elegance and sophistication today.
One The Runway This Year
Coach showed this timeless print in their S/S 22 Collection in a beautiful blue and off white tone.
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com; Kelly Donoghue (left), Emma Peet (RIght)
Looks from Coach SS 22 Runway
How I Houndstooth (My Recreate)
I myself have started adding this classic print to my wardrobe with a recreate of a houndstooth suit by Wolk Morais that Viola Davis wore on the cover of InStyle in 2020.
Photo Credit: Nakia Young-EL, Nakia Young-EL
Shop Houndstooth Looks
You can find Houndstooth looks to add to your wardrobe by doing a simple Google search. The options are endless and their are a million different ways this fabric has been used to create pieces that will speak to your personal style and wardrobe. Check out a couple options below:
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YOUNG lifesty-EL 