15 Best Gingham Skirts That Are Stylish and Timeless

I don’t think I need to tell you that polka dots are in this year—everyone from Kate Middleton to Bella Hadid has been wearing them in the past few weeks—but alongside them I’m seeing another classic print make itself known for summer 2025, that being gingham. I’ve always had a soft spot for gingham. There’s something unmistakably nostalgic about it that transports me to a simpler time, one filled with memories of Princess Diana in her red gingham capris and getting myself ready for primary school in my very own gingham pinafore. And while the print has endured in many wardrobes since, right now I’m most interested in finding the best gingham skirt out there.

From sweeping maxis to airy minis, some of the season’s best skirts are covered in gingham. Previously, I opted for a more pared-back approach when wearing the print—often in dress form, I’d add simple sandals and perhaps a basket bag to style it. This approach enabled me to participate in this timeless pattern without stepping outside of my comfort zone and is something I’ll be emulating when it comes to wearing a gingham skirt in 2025.

The trend itself has been around for decades, enjoying popularity since the 1950s when French actress Brigitte Bardot famously wore a pink gingham dress for her 1959 wedding. Ever since, gingham has been synonymous with elevated French fashion, which has helped make it feel so timeless across the decades, during which gingham has ebbed and flowed in popularity but has never really gone out of style. The ‘90s saw the print receive a grunge-like reboot, gracing runways of designers such as Anna Sui, Vivianne Westwood and Marc Jacobs where it was paired everything from ripped tights, oversized flannels and dishevelled layers, chunky boots and smudged eyeliner. Fast forward to the 2010s and beyond and gingham skirts have made a triumphant return, embraced by cottagecore enthusiasts and classic dressers alike.

I first started coming round to gingham’s outfit-enhancing effects when I spotted fashion person Javiera in a full black and white skirt. Keeping the rest of her outfit fairly minimal—a black top and red kitten heels—she proved (if ever it was needed) that with minimal effort, a gingham skirt can look very sophisticated.

But it’s not just influencers who have fallen for the gingham skirt. From Kaia Gerber to Scarlett Johansson, celebrities of all ages have been wearing the print for some time now, and then there’s the data, which shows that searches for “gingham skirts” are up 350% on Google Trends, so it seems we’re all craving a slice of this pretty pattern.

I know I found styling this print tricky, but a few small simple steps made it much easier. An easy starting point is a plain top, especially if you pick out one of the two colours within the gingham skirt and match it to. Then, when you get more confident, you can try clashing it with other hues and perhaps prints too—those polka dots might come in handy after all.