Check Mate

10.9.10

Perhaps a little outdated, but I only recently watched Alicia Keys' Unthinkable (I'm Ready) video, and I have to say its probably the best video I've seen from her. Asides from the fact that it addresses certain socio-political issues, I was highly intrigued by the vintage-imagery. I also observed that there was an over-abundance of gingham...five bonus points. 

It was like a familiar face from my past that I'd long forgotten to call for a few years. It brought back memories of my childhood years heading to junior school. Children and food probably go hand in hand, just as gingham and picnic tablecloths fit like white on rice. With its lightweight and easy to clean fabric, it was definitely a smart choice to use as school uniforms for potentially mucky children the world over. People may not go the whole nine yards anymore with meticulously prepared ham and cheese sandwiches tidyly placed in woven baskets fitted snuggly in the nook of their arms; but 50 years ago, picnicking was all the rage (or so I hear/read).

However, it wasn't until a pouting young French actress came along in the Fifties that gingham was finally given a major dose of appeal. Brigitte Bardot pioneered the gingham look when she wore a pastel- pink gingham dress (left photo) to her wedding ceremony. Alas, gingham was instantly adopted by more than just screaming children and picnic tables.



Since this is as sexy as sexy does, I guess we could say I'm channeling my (not so) inner child with this outfit. Here I've got people wondering why there is an overgrown child walking home alone after school. I threw in the socks and sky high platforms to create further confusion along the lines of: since when did schools allow children to wear such high shoes? Check mate! Now where is my picnic basket....

So, would you wear gingham? Or is it best left behind at your local Italian restaurants, to aprons and picnics, or on Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz?

Bisous,
Abs

80 Contributions:

Unknown said...

You look lovely in gingham. I'm completely on the fence about it. I like it but I don't know if I would wear it.

Diana said...

you look perfect in this pattern! such a lovely nod to a childhood staple as you said :) i would wear it too - you've inspired me :)


http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

L'Amour et la Paix said...

Such a sweet look. Not sure if I'd wear gingham or not, but you pull it off perfectly! xo

Jasmine said...

i do have some gingham outfits , keep the outfit u look good in it

MY REPUBLIC OF FASHION said...

Really pretty outfit. Love that skirt. :)SarahD

Anonymous said...

great outfit, i like your shoes<3

SusuanaLove said...

Lol after reading this I had to finally watch the video and listen to that song
I have no idea why I hadnt in the first place
its reallly sweet!

antonia said...

LOVE YOUR BLOG!!
U LOOK GORGEOUS!!!
LOVE YOUR SHOES!!!

http://blogwbutach.blogspot.com/

Emilie said...

Love the skirt babe! Great outfit :)

xx

lifeisroyalty.blogspot.com

Sharon said...

Its about how you wear it... so much style, I know I´ve said that more than a couple of times, but its the plain truth!

Velvet said...

I like gingham but I reserve it to the moments I feel particularly girly!

...Iww... said...

I love how you match socks with high heels ^^

PS: Yes I made those truffles ;)

Emma at Daily Clothes Fix said...

I would wear a gingham shirt (and have). Never seen a skirt but love this on you.

Cinja said...

cute outfit. you look beautiful

Caroline Ergy Erg said...

That's such a lovely outfit! The skirt looks really cute. Love the pink dress you linked to as well, how lovely :)
xxxxxxxxx

jolaa said...

Thank you for you sweet comment! I had a great bday;)

Great outfitpost! loving the skirt;)

A.n.E said...

Ooo so chic in your gingham skirt - not childish at all.
I say bring on more gingham!! esp after seeing C Kane's spring collection, I love gingham just that much more!

Ninjagaiden78 said...

I like the shoes and necklace.

Windowshop78.blogspot.com

soph // and other things said...

Love this look. I would definitely wear gingham, especially if it's styled as wonderfully as how you've worn it!

Jenmarie said...

You look cute! I like those heels :)

Kristin Wyly said...

I love the socks with the shoes. I wish more people were willing to do it: I imagine it makes things so much more comfortable!

Misnomer said...

I have to admit that I usually avoid gingham, but my sis recently bought a pair of gingham shorts, and there growing on me everytime she wears them. She looks great in them and you look great in gingham too! :) P.s love the shoes.

Kesi said...

just stumbled upon your blog by way of an old comment you left on my site. i love it here.

Fashionably Black said...

School girl chic! I love it!

www.fashionablyblack.blogspot.com

Grace said...

Lady you are owning that gingham!

Love Grace.

pancakestacker said...

If you haven't heard the rest of Alicia's album, you definitely should! As someone who has all her albums, this one is definitely one of her best. I love the sock + pump duo. I haven't tried it yet because I guess I'm a little weary on how it will look on me, but you pull it off so well with the rest of this outfit! :)

Come back soon!
www.pancakestacker.blogspot.com

Amalina said...

The shoes + socks combo is great...have yet to try it too! Thanks for commenting on my blog, otherwise I wouldn't have found yours...love it, following you!

www.fashion-feline.blogspot.com

M said...

wow, I love the socks-shoes combination, well done!
and erm... I'm a little bit shy but I have to say that you are damn beautiful. yes.
have a nice day

Vonny said...

love your shoes :) thx for your comment

Sophia Molen said...

I really love the last photo!!

rudegirlnina said...

awesome...you look so vintage/french!! :D:D lovely!

Regan said...

You have a lovely blog!!

Candice said...

oooh i love your blog and your style!
of course i will be a follower of your blog :).

i hope you will follow mine too?

xo

p.s. thanks for your comment! really like that :)

Leather Skirts said...

Lol after reading this I had to finally watch the video and listen to that song
I have no idea why I hadnt in the first place
its reallly sweet!

Anonymous said...

Loving the shot of socks and heels!

xoxo, http://heelsandwedges.blogspot.com

Natasha said...

Pretty! You totally just took me back to the days when my mum dressed me in gingham dresses. You made it look so cute yet grown-up xxx

www.fashiondevotion.com

StylishForever said...

school girl chic!

Lexy @ QUIRKY EXPLOSION said...

YOU LOOK SO ADORABLE. Somehow you're so chic. Yet so fun and fresh. AT THE SAME TIME. How do you do it?! No, I've got it... it must be MAGIC. I'm madly in love with those socks.

And I love gingham. I love picnics and Dorothy, so I guess this is all suitable...

QUIRKYEXPLOSION.blogspot.com

Jamie-Lee Burns said...

I really like the way that you have styled your outfit, it is sooo sweet!

http://pagesixxx.blogspot.com/

Yaary said...

this outfit is so cute! i really love it :)
girl you look so gorgeous.

style-haus said...

so true that gingham brings back childhood memories. this outfit is a perfect example of how to wear gingham stylishly! adore the shoes

http://style-haus.blogspot.com/

Arini Desianti Parawi said...

love ur plaid skirt and absolutely ur shoes is really to die for.

tks for leave comment, i'm following u now, hope u can follow me back..

THE SECRET LIFE OF "D"

in Love&Light
Queen D

Walk this way said...

you look so pretty, love the socks and heels,and I LOVE YOUR skirt!

Jazzy E (Hivenn) said...

adorable
xx

Emma said...

Love the shoes, and the skirt is soooo cute ;)

Love from Sweden,

http://emmamattson.blogspot.com/

FashionableAsians said...

I really like your shoes! <3 Thnx for dropping by my blog, followed yours cause I like your style ;)

I V Y said...

cute shoes!

BALLET NEWS said...

I think you look lovely in gingham. I'm not sure I would though ! Brilliant post.

Chloey H said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

love the gingham!
your blog is amazing!

http://pieinmypants.blogspot.com/

stylenuggets said...

You've put a fresh spin on it with the shoes and socks. Sweet!

joana said...

Ohhh what a cuuute skirt!! Guess who's back?! MEEE!!! Don't miss the news on the blog!!!

Emilie said...

Love the socks with the sandals!

Violet E. said...

loooove it <3

Anonymous said...

Hell Yes, I would wear gingham. I would love a nice red and white pattern.

Thanks for your compliment, Abi, When I made those pants I did not really think much of it. But everyone seems to think otherwise.

Love from Toronto

kaitlyn said...

love those shoes! have you seen umbrellas of cherbourg? i love catherine deneuve's costumes! it's one of my favorite french films.

xx
_
kaitlyn

Jason Laucht said...

lovely skirt and shoes!!

S said...

You're working gingham so well. Not only is it a cute pattern but can be worn in so many ways!

S
http://notjustmedical.wordpress.com

Closet Fashionista said...

CUTE! I love those shoes :D :D
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

HONEY... LOVE THIS LOOK! LOVE YOUR SKIRT...YOUR SHOES! <3 <3
XXX

The Backseat Stylers said...

I LOVE gingham! That skirt is too cute. I'd love a gingham something...top, skirt, shorts...hmm...

Unknown said...

love the shoes, and the yellow skirt from the previous entry is awesome, love the color!
xx

Stylelover said...

OMG! PERFECT AS USUALL, LOVE IT!
XOXO
VICKY

Anonymous said...

Loved the third picture! The movement is so nice.
Kiss,
kath

Carla Chávez Lino said...

omg! I love you shoes and socks!

FashionJazz said...

So love your the checks hun :) xxxx

Cucu said...

Great style!!! :)
Want to check my site and are you interested in following each other?

xoxo

Hilaloeya said...

thnx for the lovely comment!
love your skirtt!!

xx
www.fashionrnbw.blogspot.com

Maria said...

Thank you so much for your birthday wish :) the dancing was separeted trow the hole day, I did not do it all at once :P I danced 3 classes of street dance and one of contemporary, and I can´t belive how amazing you look with short hair!!

Denisa L said...

why not, it looks great!

Abi said...

Thanks guys :)
Oh, I just want to clarify that this is a dress worn as a skirt...one again ;)

@A.n.E: yes. Christopher definitely inspired me, along with Chanel's Resort 2011

@kriskrosapplesauce: it most definitely does! And keeps your feet warm too ;)

@Kesi: I'm glad you do :)

@pancakeSTACKER: oh, I've only listened to that one song. Might have to do a little youtubing now ;)

@Amalina, xtirsa & Aniie P.: thanks so much for following :)

@M:no, YOU're beautiful! Thank you :)

@Candice & Queen Desi: thanks for following. I'll be sure to stop by your blog soon ;)

@Lexy: Hahah! Must be he magic which we both have, cause you're fun and fresh!

@johanna: hope you had tonnes of fun!

@Trishna: only because they're a gorgeous! ;)

@kaitlyn: oh no, I haven't seen that film, but I'm looking to change that! I do love French films so this might be a hit with me. Thanks! :)

@Maria:hahahha! Ok, that's good to know. That's great that you dance. It's such a beautiful art form!

Isquisofrenia said...

i used to have a skirt like that! you look so cute an love the shoes too!

rotkäppchen said...

i love your "way of style" it's gorgeous and special. lovely !

Shanna Maren said...

Great outfit! It's really special and I like the way you explain it in the last paragraph ;)
I'm following BTW (follow me too?)!

http://www.m-4-l.blogspot.com/

ATTITUDEINABUNDANCE said...

Gotta love Alicia Keys!

Lady-like here :)

I have a few gingham shirts so I wear it too.

Thank you for commenting on my blog x

www.purelovefashionn.blogspot.com

Siru said...

What a super sweet look! Thanks for visiting my blog!

juliet xxx

Abi said...

Merci, merci!

@Shanna Maren: Thanks for following. I'll be sure to stop by your blog soon ;)

Rebecca said...

brigitte bardot can do no wrong!
i love this whole look, and i definitely want to steal your shoes (:

http://itscohen.blogspot.com/

Elle Sees said...

such a fan of gingham. i've got a post on it next tuesday.

Abi said...

Oh, can't wait to read Elle!

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