4 ways to wear the check trend that aren't just shirts

Trust us when we say checks are a thing for AW 18 menswear.

Pretty much everyone, from newbies Charles Jeffrey to veterans Versace and Vivienne Westwood (and everyone in-between – think Marni, Kenzo and Thom Browne) paraded checks in all forms for their winter collections.

Even the graduates were onto it. Amy Vanderwal (whose Graduate Fashion Week mentor is celebrated designer Oliver Spencer) presented a graduate collection inspired by the Eighties’ post-punk traveller movement – the perfect vessel for everything check.

The pattern also just happens to be one of the most adaptable you can get (which is why Tu turned Vanderwal’s graduate show into their first, super-wearable Menswear Graduate Fashion Week collection). We’re talking suits, jumpers, jackets, the lot.

Here’s how to wear them well…

1. Double up

Your checks needn’t be limited to one statement piece. In fact, they definitely shouldn’t be. The more clashing the better.

The key is to double up by mixing it up. By that we mean, keep your patterns different.

Team a wide tartan coat with a check suit and go grunge with a T-shirt underneath and a pair of DM-style boots.

2. Go monochrome

If you want to look more polished than punk, keep it classic in monochrome.

A pair of tailored dogtooth trousers teamed with a black-and-white striped jumper weirdly tone down each pattern, making it easier on the eye than you’d think.

3. Pair with pinstripes

It’s not just checks you should clash this season.

Pinstripes have left their stiff, stuffy banking past behind them, and teamed with checks they make your smart-up grunge dreams come true.

A knitted check jumper with a pinstripe pair of trews and jacket will take you from casual Fridays to weekend-away wear before you can say The Clash.

4. Tone it with leather

A pair of tartan trousers aren’t just fitting for a round of golf at St Andrews – they’re as at home on your pegs in the city, at the beach, or anywhere else you choose to spend your precious, precious time.

The key to this look is to keep it tonal with a dark charcoal tartan pair, a grey crew-neck and finished off with a leather biker jacket.

Check mate.

To shop Amy Vanderwal’s capsule collection, head to Tu now.

Win £500 to spend at Tu

You know what makes shopping better? When it’s free. Tu are giving one winner £500 to spend on the Menswear Graduate Fashion Week capsule collection and anything else that tickles your fancy. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question below:

UK18+ only. Normal exclusions apply. Opens: 04/10/18. Closes: 11:59pm 04/11/18. One winner will receive a £500 Sainsbury’s Tu voucher. Winner will be randomly selected and notified by email within 14 days of the closing date. Promoter: Shortlist Media. Supplier: Sainsbury’s Tu. Standard T&Cs here. Privacy Policy here.