Perhaps known as check’s wayward cousin, houndstooth might be a tricky pattern to pull off for some and is accessible mostly through suits and coats. While houndstooth may have been deemed a mere trend that reappears throughout the years, it can make for some bold and classic outfits when properly styled.
Lest we become more intimidated by its use, here are some looks that range from subtle to daring to prove how versatile it can be.
It’s always a good call to look stylish on the beach. Take a cue from Shay Mitchell and ride the waves with this long-sleeved swimsuit and pair it with some bold-colored sunnies.
Having one patterned piece on your outfit while leaving everything else plain and simple is the safest route. Take notes from Jamie Chung and pair a houndstooth skirt with a plain top and outerwear.
Up for something bolder but still casual? The size of your houndstooth print can make or break a look, but much like Jamie Chung’s approach, Kiko Mizuhara pairs her belted houndstooth shorts with a clean plain top and fuzzy outerwear along with a bright lippie.
If you’re looking for something more subtle, nothing beats a smaller version of the houndstooth a.k.a. puppytooth. This particular blink-and-you’ll-miss it puppytooth number from Tricia Gosingtian layers well with neutrals.
Because the contrast of black and white on houndstooth might come off too strong for some, accent colors might be the way to go. Lucy Williams matches the indian red of her coat with her corduroy trousers (and even the café chairs)!
Print-on-print can be really risky for houndstooth, but Margaret Zhang pairs it with a black dress with beaded and floral details, with the dominance of black carrying the whole look.
Another contender for print-on-print, Aimee Song makes a really strong case with this one. Pair your two-toned houndstooth skirt with a softer top carrying the same two tones (in this case, blue and black) and it just might work for you, too.
Not fond of the usual black and white? Substitute white with another color! In Vanessa Hong’s case, the yellow almost acts as an accent color with respect to an otherwise all-black number.
It’s truly best never to outdo it when it comes to colored prints. Taking Vanessa Hong’s look a notch further, Irene Kim pulls it off by keeping everything else black while still giving her look an edge with some lace-up trousers.
Looking for a more muted look? Layer some neutral and plain pieces with a gray and white houndstooth skirt just like Nicole Warne.
As a bonus item, here’s something for those not up for some houndstooth action yet. Grab two to three of your favorite nail polishes (those whose tones go together, of course!) and power through a manicure instead.
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