Check Mate!

By Veronica Phillips

viphillips@smu.edu

It’s officially spring and the season where floral rules the streets might be getting a slight wake-up call in 2013. Reports show that trends like bold stripes and bright leather might be overtaking the softer pastels in the wardrobe. One particularly eye-catching trend is the checkered pattern and its colorful spin-off’s. Louis Vuitton is certainly leading the race with a monogram line devoted entirely to the checkered print. As an SMU student and a Boulevard (Bishop Street) frequenter, spotting a Louis Vuitton checkered “Neverfull” is almost as inevitable as the Seattle rain season. The trend has been circular for decades.  Houndstooth and checkered tweed have been a consistent favorite of Chanel suits, St. John, and of course the fabulous Burberry. Not to be confused with plaid or our brother’s J Crew button-down, this Spring 2013 checkerboard trend is already showing variety from years past. Marc Jacobs, Aquilano Rimondi, Timo Weiland, Balmain, and many others produced colorful textures and designs while incorporating the trend.  Take a look at just of few of the images spotted at NYFW and decide for yourself if this trend makes your checklist!