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Black Tie International: Now Trending With Alison Minton Houndstooth

Houndstooth, the jagged edged cousin of the sweeter, more innocent, gingham, is having a multi season resurgence in both traditional and modern ways, and if you don’t already own at least one houndstooth accessory it’s time to invest in this classic print to spice up your wardrobe. 
 

Giorgio Armani houndstooth print sneakers in black

Most notably woven in black and white, but not exclusively, houndstooth has been an enduring, fashionable staple for at least the last century, draping famous figures like Lauren Bacall and Katherine Hepburn in dramatic menswear inspired attire during Hollywood’s Golden Age and wrapping icons like Audrey Hepburn and Doris Day in elegant and playful frocks in the 1960’s.  Like the aforementioned gingham it’s considered a checkered pattern, but unlike demure gingham which has squarely defined borders, houndstooth literally colors outside the lines.  Whether you call it by the French pied de poule, which means “chicken feet,” or the English houndstooth for its perceived resemblance to a canine’s canines,  the pattern is not for monkeying around.   Houndstooth is bold and brash.  It makes a statement.  Even a small swatch of houndstooth in bowtie or pocket square form gets noticed. 

Tradionally used in suits, designers today are adorning accessories with this tooth of the dog pattern, which I personally love. This isn't your mother's houndstooth, at least it's not my mother's.

.  (Tales of a houndstooth suit with a butterscotch yellow lining from her days working for Mademoiselle Magazine in the 1950’s have alternately haunted and tantalized my adulthood.)  Houndstooth shoes or a bag still pack a punch, but they’re not an overpowering knockout, just the perfect statement piece to elevate an outfit.    A sweep of my own wardrobe unearthed a houndstooth bag, gloves and shoes, not to mention clothing, but it’s time for new iterations of this old classic.

My top pick's for revving up an outfit this season are below.
 

The Armani houndstooth sneakers also come in brown

M.M.LaFleur blue houndstooth wool scarf for stylish warmth

Olive & Cocoa Must Love Dogs cashmere and silk scarf is adorned
with houndstooth and hounds

Vanessa Noel slingback in houdstooth with an overlay of animal print

These Rachel houndstooth tights add pizzazz to a wardrobe