Checks can become your signature for the season.
As autumn 2025 ushers in cooler weather across the UK, checked and tartan prints are making a bold return to menswear, offering the perfect balance between heritage and modern edge.
Designers such as Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, and Charles Jeffrey’s Loverboy are reimagining tartans in fresh colourways and silhouettes that feel current yet rooted in tradition.
This trend resonates particularly well among South Asian men who appreciate rich textures, pattern depth and cultural hybridity in their wardrobe.
Yet many still hesitate, fearing checks may look too loud or costume-like.
DESIblitz aims to guide you through styling tips, smart pairings and brand suggestions so you can wear checks and tartans with confidence this season.
Wherever you are in the UK, these ideas can be applied to your street, workplace, or festive gatherings.
By the end, you’ll see that checks are not just for winter kilts or countryside weekends; they can be your autumn signature.
Understanding the Types of Checks and Tartans
Before styling, it helps to understand what you’re working with.
Checks broadly describe patterns of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines forming squares, while tartan is a specific kind of check with historical clan associations.
The Glen check or Prince of Wales check (Glen plaid) is a staple for tailored menswear.
Meanwhile, tattersall checks use thinner lines in multiple colours, often found in shirts or waistcoats.
There’s also windowpane check, buffalo checks, gingham and more. FashionBeans’ guide calls checks versatile when used with restraint.
Lofficiel has noted that “Back to Office: Check Defines Men’s Fall 2025,” pointing out that checks are invading outerwear, trousers and suits.
Recognising these patterns helps you choose the right scale, colour and context, important when mixing with other elements in your outfit.
Outerwear with Checks: Coats, Blazers and Overchecks
One of the most effective ways to introduce checks is through outerwear.
A tartan overcoat or a Glen check blazer instantly injects character into an otherwise neutral base.
As Tellar notes, tartan jackets and coats offer heritage flair while retaining modern utility for colder months.
When opting for a checked coat, keep layers underneath minimal; a solid-coloured roll neck or merino knit works well.
For a more daring look, choose a coat with an overcheck (a bold stripe over a subtle underlying check).
Burberry’s recent reimagined check outerwear under Daniel Lee has shown how classic prints can be made fresh again.
In the UK, brands like Mackintosh and Barbour often produce checked or tartan-lined coats that hold up to drizzle and city life.
Pair such coats with slim dark denim or charcoal trousers so the pattern remains the focal point without overwhelming the outfit.
Shirts, Trousers and Layering with Checks
If outerwear feels too bold, checks can start closer to the skin.
A tattersall or micro-check shirt layered under a solid blazer offers visual interest without visual noise.
Permanent Style’s explanation of tattersall and shirt checks helps with picking subtle patterns.
For trousers, windowpane checked trousers or plaid flannels can work beautifully if the rest of the outfit remains calm.
Stylist recommends pairing tartan trousers with a chunky knit and camel coat to keep the look elevated and cohesive.
Alternatively, a checked waistcoat worn over a crisp shirt offers a nod to classic tailoring without going full pattern.
Westwood Hart’s bespoke menswear guides also suggest starting with accessories before scaling up to larger garments.
In all cases, ensure the check’s colour palette complements your skin tone and other outfit pieces, especially for richer South Asian complexions.
Mixing Checks with Prints, Textures and Colours
Mixing checks must be done thoughtfully.
The goal is harmony, not chaos. When layering multiple patterns, vary the scale: pair a broad tartan with a micro-check or subtle stripe rather than two loud prints.
As FashionBeans points out, knowing the rules helps checks make you look refined rather than cluttered.
Use texture to soften transitions, tweed, herringbone, or cable knits to create buffer zones between pattern shifts.
You might pair a Glen check blazer with a marl wool jumper underneath.
For colour, lean into autumnal hues like deep burgundy, forest green, camel or charcoal.
South Asian menswear houses like Manyavar or Indian-UK labels (if imported) sometimes use checks in festive wear, so blending those with high street pieces like Reiss or Charles Tyrwhitt can translate prints across cultures.
When mixing prints, a checked pocket square or a tartan scarf from Drake’s in London can tie everything together without hogging attention.
From Street to Formal: Contextual Styling Tips
Transitioning checks from casual to dress occasions requires tweaking accessories and layering weights.
For urban streetwear, a bold buffalo check overshirt or flannel styled over a hoodie with jeans feels effortless and modern, echoing the ’90s grunge revival seen on the runways.
To dress up, a checked suit or blazer in Glen or windowpane check becomes more acceptable if grounded with a solid shirt and tie choices.
Lofficiel’s observation that checks will define formalwear this fall is apt.
Pair with classic loafers, Derby shoes or monk straps.
In South Asian events or weddings, a check-patterned Nehru jacket over a plain kurta might work well for subtle fusion.
For the office, use checked ties or subtle pocket squares rather than full suits if your workplace is conservative.
Keep your check palette aligned with the formality of shoes, belts and outerwear.
Where to Shop in the UK: Brands and Boutiques
For heritage British checks and quality men’s wear that you can touch, head to Savile Row, where tailors may offer Glen, tartan, or Prince of Wales patterns in bespoke jackets.
Drake’s in London (Savile Row) offers luxury checked accessories and silky scarves that elevate any look.
For ready-to-wear, Reiss, Charles Tyrwhitt, and TM Lewin often carry check shirts, suits and outerwear suited to UK climates.
High street stalwart Ben Sherman also produces checked casualwear that marries mod heritage with accessible price points.
For bolder designer statements, check the collections of Charles Jeffrey Loverboy or Vivienne Westwood at London boutiques or via Farfetch and MatchesFashion.
British heritage houses like Barbour and Mackintosh often include tartan linings or outer tartan blazers in autumn collections.
And for South Asian fusion opportunities, look out for UK-based Desi menswear designers who incorporate regal checks into sherwanis or waistcoats.
The trick is mixing domains, pairing a high street checked coat with a festive kurta at Diwali or Eid.
Autumn 2025 presents an exciting moment for men to embrace checks and tartans with renewed creativity and confidence.
Rather than shying away, you can experiment. Starting small with a checked shirt or scarf and gradually stepping into full-blown blazer or coat choices.
The key lies in balancing scale, colour, texture and context so the pattern amplifies your style instead of overwhelming it.
Whether navigating London’s drizzle or attending festive gatherings in Birmingham or Bradford, these tips adapt to your environment.
With the right brands, intelligent mixing and a respect for heritage, checks can become your signature for the season.
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