There’s so much more to fashion than meets the eye, but sometimes that can be confusing. I never understood the difference between gingham and plaid. I mean they’re both patterned blocks of color—why bother naming it differently? 

Little did I know though, gingham and plaid are actually two different types of patterns with some history behind both. To help you get a better understanding of what’s what, and what you can wear and where, I’ve outlined below the main differences in the designs. 

 

The Origins of Plaid 

Plaid has its beginnings in the country of Scotland. Before the English conquered Scotland and outlawed any type of tartan wearing, Scotland clans adopted the plaid pattern to signify who came from which clan.

Eventually the pattern began to be identified as plaid, which is what the wooly material was called, rather than the word “tartan,” which is a better descriptor for the pattern and not the material used. These are an example of slim fit plaid shirts from Nimble Made.

 

The Origins of Gingham

Gingham is less culturally significant, more so representing something across the world populations. It was created in Dutch-colonized Malaysia, Indonesia, and India.

With world trade, the design became extremely popular in Britain as well as the United States of America. In Europe, gingham represented more of a pure lifestyle giving off connotations of innocence.

In the United States, on the other hand, gingham became synonymous with cowboys and farmers, thus becoming synonymous with the country culture of America. 

 

Two Key Main Differences Between Plaid and Gingham

There are two big differences when it comes to gingham vs plaid. The first lies with what we see and the second lies with what we feel. Let’s discuss the first big difference which is the difference between the patterns themselves. 

 

The Pattern & Overall Look

Now I know I mentioned that plaid and gingham are just colored squares and blocks, but there are actually deeper differences than that. That was definitely my way of simplifying the look in my mind.

Plaid will have a main base color with vertical and horizontal lines of varying colors and sizes. The base color is usually a darker color such as a dark red or green with the lines being more lighter and discernible.

Plaid pattern includes vertical lines that can have a larger visual effect than gingham's uniform checks. These overlapping stripes create an overall more casual look at the boxes in the negative space are often bigger.

Here are the links to the blue gingham shirt and black and white plaid shirt pictured above.  

Generally, plaid patterns are worn in more casual situations and can show up as flannels, but the right fit can show up in more casual formal occasions with its iconic checkered pattern. At its heart though, is a rebelliousness which is why it became so popular during the grunge scene of the 90’s.

Nowadays it’s a pretty popular mainstay of the business casual attire, a more casual print on a formal button down will balance out the seriousness of the look. (Here's the difference between button down vs button up.)

On the other hand, gingham strictly uses white as its base and only one other color. The vertical as well as the horizontal lines are equal in shape and size creating a succinct checkered pattern. This is what gives gingham its clean and cut look, or "checkered patterns."

The evenness of the design is probably what made it so popular amid European cultures as well as American country culture. Whereas a plaid pattern has more versatility with different sized lines and colors, gingham will be more uniform in the way it looks with the consistent squares that make up the checkered pattern.

This also means that gingham dress shirts lean closer to business formal than business casual and is something you can get away with wearing inside of a suit. Depending how its styled, flannel shirts can work for business casual as well.

 

The Fabric & Overall Feel

The next big difference is the material for plaid and gingham shirts. In early history, plaid was predominantly manufactured on wooly fabrics (remember that it’s called plaid because of the materials that it was made from).

Given the history, tartan plaid was featured on kilts which also worked to keep the men warm in the cold and rainy weather. Nowadays, the plaid pattern is featured on more stretchy fabric such as cotton, but the name has stuck. Both are long sleeves and can be great when gets get cool, making both it great for both Fall outfits and Winter clothing.

Gingham on the other hand, was always manufactured on a linen cotton type of fabric and that hasn’t changed much throughout the years. Nowadays gingham is associated with a more retro and vintage look, but also trending now towards preppy and garden style looks.      

 

Conclusion

Overall the history coupled with the patterns themselves are very interesting. Plaid is usually featured on comfortable and reliable clothing that can be suited for any casual occasion.

To recap, gingham is a pattern with evenly spaced squares, often in two colors like white and blue, whereas, plaid has a more complex patterns, often with crisscrossing lines in various colors and widths.

Gingham still remains a tad more formal in that respect and can be worn to outdoor parties and garden parties. The clean design can be utilized during the warmer months, given the light type of fabric it is usually manufactured on. 

Either way, you can’t go wrong with any of these patterns. It might add versatility to your closet to have both of these patterns in some shape or form. Just remember not to mix these patterns because trust us when we say that they don’t go together.

Always balance out a pattern such as plaid or gingham with a simple and neutral color. It’s better to be balanced out then a hot mess of colors and patterns.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Plaid vs Gingham

Is gingham the same as plaid?

No, gingham and plaid are not the same, although they are both patterns commonly used in textiles. Gingham is a specific type of checkered pattern characterized by evenly spaced, alternating colored squares.

The pattern usually features two colors, most commonly white and a solid color. Plaid, on the other hand, is a more general term for a pattern consisting of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, which can create a variety of different designs and color combinations.

While gingham is a form of check pattern, plaid encompasses a wider range of designs and patterns.

Is gingham the type of tartan?

No, gingham is not a type of tartan. Tartan is a specific pattern associated with Scottish heritage, featuring crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors.

Gingham, by contrast, is a simpler checkered pattern with uniform, evenly spaced squares, typically in just two colors. While both gingham and tartan involve checks, their origins, patterns, and cultural associations are distinct.

Why is gingham called gingham?

The term "gingham" is believed to have originated from the Malay word "genggang," which means "striped." The fabric was introduced to Europe in the 17th century, and its name evolved over time.

Initially, gingham referred to a type of striped or checked fabric, and eventually came to specifically denote the checkered pattern we recognize today. The name has persisted as the pattern and fabric became popular in various cultures and fashion contexts.