B&W: Big Checks

Checks can be utilitarian (lumberjack, gingham), but also high fashion, especially in black and white, good materials and great tailoring. The traditional big check or windowpane check has been renamed "noughts-and-crosses" for the purpose of making it very-last-minute.

What to look for:

1. The right proportions: the taller you are, the bigger the pattern you can carry successfully.
2. A pattern matching perfectly at the seams. Say a big NO to any item of clothing that does not match at the seams and keep your money.
3. You are wearing the print and not the other way round (and the print is slyly laughing  behind its sleeve, so to speak). First, you need to look good in black and/or white. Consider if off white and shades of grey are not perhaps a better option for you. Second, you need to look good in contrasting prints because, in a sense, they are very loud, and can be overwhelming for those with softer complexions.

B&W: Windowpane Check by Caroline Grant. "Windowpane check" is the traditional name for big checks. This Karen Millen dress is a great example of the pattern: not only the pattern matches exactl, but the symmetry is perfect. Thee detailing on the hips makes it ideal for Body type Cs and slim Body type Bs. A brightly coloured sandal is the perfect counterpoint to the dress, and so are the bracelets, a collaboration between Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton [Style: Modern Classic].

Karen Millen Graphic Check Dress / Steffen Schraut Multi Grey Herringbone Leather-trimmed Coat/ Aspinal of London Hepburn Handbag / Theory Toscana Minorca Shoes / Yayoi Kusama for Louis Vuitton Infinity Dot Bracelets / Emporio Armani Earrings / Chanel Lipstick in Pirate / Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Scarlet Chinois.

B&W: Noughts-and-Crosses by Caroline Grant. "Noughts-and-crosses" is SS2013's name for big checks. I have chosen again colourful shoes and a plain T-shirt for the skirt, a MaxMara Studio creation. The scarf mixes B&W with a splash of red, and the bangles echo the spikes and studs trend in a less injury-threatening combination that some of the pieces I have seen out there (dangerous looking handbags and shoes). [Style: Modern Classic].

MaxMara Studio Glassa Skirt / Ted Baker Jjana Quilted Trench Coat / Bound Edge Soft Leather Top / Zara Tiger Print Clutch Handbag / Clarks Chorus Voice Shoes / Ashley Pittman Kuacha Horn Earrings / Mango Studded Bangle Bracelets / Dolce & Gabbana Flower Print Silk Scarf / Tom Ford Lipstick in True Coral / Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Scarlet Chinois.

MORE?

• How to wear B&W graphic prints. Part 1
• How to wear B&W graphic prints. Part 2