What is check? Check is a pattern formed where horizontal and vertical lines cross to make squares or rectangles. In menswear it brings visual depth, character and versatility — the natural next step once you own the basic plain pieces.
The value of dimension
If the stripe is rhythm, the check is the value of dimension:
- Depth: the crossing lines build visual layers, giving a garment life and spirit.
- Character: a refined point of difference that expresses your own taste while staying elegant.
- Versatility: at home in many settings, easy with plain colours and accessories.
- Aesthetic value: a well-proportioned pattern raises the perceived quality and finish of the whole.
Why does check endure? Because it brings visual rhythm and gives the cloth surface depth; because it saves an outfit from monotony without sacrificing refinement; because it shows both taste and the ability to combine; because it bridges the classic and the contemporary; and because it widens your options once the plain basics are in place.
Where check appears
- Blazer: a lift for smart casual, versatile and easy to combine — the most common home for check.
- Suit: a point of difference for work suits and event suits alike.
- Sport coat: perfect for relaxed weekend smart casual.
- Layering: depth when combined with coats, sweaters and scarves.
- Details: it can appear on ties, pocket squares, hats and accessories.
The common check types
- Windowpane: large squares with clear lines — modern, strong and instantly recognisable.
- Glen check: the Prince of Wales check — elegant, classic and highly versatile, a cornerstone of English tailoring.
- Tattersall: small checks in light colours — youthful, suited to smart dressing, most often on shirts.
- Gingham: small even squares — energetic, bright and easy to combine.
- Over check: several layers of checks combined — characterful, bold and fashionable.
- Madras check: varied in colour and open in spirit, made for warm weather.
Choosing check well
- Start simple: a small check or a neutral tone is easiest to wear and combine.
- Match your frame: smaller checks for a slighter build, larger ones for tall and well-proportioned men.
- Harmonious colour: pair the check with the dominant plain colours already in your wardrobe.
- Mind the layout: the lines must balance at the shoulder, the chest and the front edge — the mark of proper tailoring.
Proven colour pairings: grey check with navy — elegant and safe; brown check with cream — warm, classic and easy to wear; blue check with white — bright, modern and clean; green check with beige — refined, natural, very easy to combine; grey check with black — strong, modern and luxurious.
A few notes when choosing: avoid mixing too many patterns in one outfit; keep the whole balanced in colour and contrast; favour good cloth and crisp lines for a finer result; choose a check scale that suits your frame and manner; and when the check is the accent, let everything else stay simple.
Check across different styles
- Business elevated: a checked blazer within an office wardrobe, less monotonous yet still professional.
- Smart casual: a checked blazer with a polo or knitwear for the weekend.
- Event and dressy: a checked suit brings a distinctive luxury to weddings, events and evenings.
- Winter layering: with shearling, a roll neck and a scarf for depth and warmth.
- Accessories: a checked pocket square, tie or cap finishes an outfit with subtlety.
- The second piece: an excellent choice for your second garment once the plain basics are covered.
A word from Mon Amie's artisans
A surface with rhythm always makes a garment more interesting. Cutting a checked blazer or suit, Mon Amie matches the pattern at the shoulder, the pockets and the front edge — on checked cloth, the symmetry of the pattern is the measure of the tailor's hand. Check is not only a pattern; it is the language of depth and of style.
If you already own a plain suit and are looking for your first checked blazer, we invite you to book an appointment at one of Mon Amie's five showrooms in Ho Chi Minh City (Nguyen Trai, Ho Van Hue, 3/2 Street, Caravelle Hotel District 1, Nguyen Thi Thap), hotline 0888.111.118. You may also look through the tailoring process at Mon Amie — measurements kept for life, alterations guaranteed, cloths from Kevinlli through to Canonico, Holland & Sherry, Dormeuil and Scabal.