A/W 2015 trend alert: Houndstooth

Houndstooth has emerged as a key trend for autumn/winter 2015; continuing the popularity of monochrome as seen across collections this year, most notably in spring/summer designs, and further as a major print in Miu Miu’s fashion week A/W runway show in Paris earlier in March.

It has been identified by Fashionisers.com as one of their top A/W trends; Vogue has also featured it as a must-have. Miu Miu uses houndstooth as its signature for the final part of the 2015 fashion calendar. Other designers have demonstrated the application of houndstooth – Sonia Rykiel, Ermanno Scervino and Carolina Herrera also used the pattern in their pieces in their women’s collections.

Houndstooth has maintained an enduring appeal, having been revived throughout fashion for over a century, and cementing its place as a wardrobe classic, particularly associated with colder months as heavier fabrics are incorporated into design. The check pattern has its origins in the woollen textiles of the Scottish lowlands, primarily made by alternating four dark and four light colour fibres in a basic twill formation. One of the most recognisable brands in Australia, David Jones is identified by its classic houndstooth pattern, and it has also appeared in branding for Dior fragrance Miss Dior.

2009 saw it feature heavily in Alexander McQueen’s A/W ready-to-wear collection, with the Independent giving a glowing review and describing the pattern as “a signifier of fashion aimed squarely at those with womanly – as opposed to girlish – tastes”. Versace, Mary Katrantzou and Acne have all given houndstooth an updated twist on the original print.

Not limited to the monochrome palette, houndstooth has been translated in 2015 to fresh, colourful presentations assisting the transition from spring/summer to autumn/winter nicely; paired with glossy leathers and formed into bold shapes. The print seems to be most favourably used in tandem with structurally clean lines – boxy jackets, oversized swing jackets, A-line skirts and dresses all echo the classicism attached to the reputation of the design.

Emma Pugh
Featured image: Kriztian Pinter