Table of Contents
- What Is The History Of The Houndstooth Pattern?
- When Should The Houndstooth Pattern Be Worn?
- What Is The Connection Between Golf And The Houndstooth Pattern?
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
Listen up history buffs, because it's time to learn a little more about Houndstooth!
From the rugged terrains of the Scottish Lowlands to the sleek runways of haute couture, the Houndstooth pattern is one of the most interesting and diverse patterns in the world.
Although it began as a practical textile, it has found its way into the realms of high fashion and everyday wear with equal flair. But how exactly did it get here?
We'll walk you through the entire history of the Houndstooth check pattern. We'll also take a look at why it's an incredibly popular choice to wear out and about on the golf course!
What Is The History Of The Houndstooth Pattern?The history of the Houndstooth pattern spans a few millennia. Also known as Dogstooth or pied-de-poule in French, it has an incredibly interesting history. In fact, its origins can be traced back to ancient civilisations, with some of the earliest examples even being found in Bronze Age textiles. Some of the earliest examples of this pattern were discovered in places like the Hallstatt Celtic Salt Mine in Austria (dating back to 1500-1200 BC) and a Swedish peat bog, which was dated between 360 and 100 BC. How did the Houndstooth pattern evolve?In more recent history, the Houndstooth pattern gained a lot of prominence in the Scottish Lowlands. Here, it was woven by shepherds to produce beautiful - and incredibly durable - fabrics. Because of its somewhat humble beginnings, the fabric remained relatively obscure until the 1930s. This was until it caught the attention of the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII and became more well-known. The Prince actually adopted the pattern into most of his casual wear, which is what really transformed Houndstooth from a rustic shepherd's pattern into the fashion statement it is today. When did the Houndstooth pattern change from a weave to a print?Despite the surge of popularity following the Prince's use of the pattern, it was the transition from a woven fabric into a printed motif or design that really changed the game. It actually propelled Houndstooth into the world of high fashion, with designers like Christian Dior incorporating it into their collections and iconic pieces like the Dior Court Shoes. Today, the Houndstooth check pattern is still a staple in Scottish fabrics, which is why we love using it in our attire! In fact, our Glenmuir Houndstooth collection is one of our most well-known collections to date. With proud Scottish roots, Glenmuir is committed to bringing our heritage into modern-day golf wear for tailored yet incredibly meaningful designs. |
When Should The Houndstooth Pattern Be Worn?
Houndstooth patterns should be worn when you want to make a great first impression.
Knowing when to wear Houndstooth can help elevate your style and add a touch of elegance to any occasion. This bold pattern can really make a statement. And, with so many variations (from the traditional black, white and grey colour palette to plain, bright colours), you're guaranteed to feel incredibly elegant when you're wearing it.
Here is a short guide on when and where you should rock this iconic pattern:
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Formal events: Houndstooth is the perfect choice for formal occasions - especially if you want to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your ensemble. You can consider wearing Houndstooth dresses or formal suits to weddings, galas, or even upscale dinner parties. Either way, it's a timeless option that will help you to ooze style!
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Business settings: While Houndstooth may not be the go-to option for the boardroom, it can still be tastefully incorporated into your business attire. Rather than going all-out with a Houndstooth blazer, you can add subtle touches like a Houndstooth block colour scarf or pocket square to add to your outfit without overwhelming it.
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Casual wear: Houndstooth doesn't only have to be reserved for special occasions - you can also use it to elevate your everyday outfits. Whether you're running errands, meeting friends for a cup of coffee, or heading out for a night out on the town, you could incorporate pieces like sweaters, jackets, or even accessories. This can give you a stylish yet laid-back look.
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Outdoor activities: Houndstooth can make a bold statement when you're wearing it for outdoor events or sports. This is especially true when you're on the golf course! So, the next time you want to look incredible when you step out onto the green, why not step out in style in an outer garment like the g.ELRICK Golf Jacket?
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Special occasions: Before you break out a Houndstooth suit and wear this striking pattern from head to toe, you may want to consider scaling down your outfit for special occasions. Still, Houndstooth can look incredible when you know how to wear it. From cocktail parties to celebrations like engagement parties, a touch of Houndstooth may be what you need.
What Is The Connection Between Golf And The Houndstooth Pattern?
The connection between golf and the Houndstooth pattern runs incredibly deep and intertwines Scottish heritage with the history of golf as a sport.
Historically, golf gained popularity in Scotland in the 15th century, where it quickly became a beloved pastime among Scots. Although it was slightly different to the golf we know and love today, these early golf games laid the foundation for the sport as a whole.
Meanwhile, Houndstooth and its origins in Scottish textiles had already been a part of Scottish culture and tradition. Additionally, it was used in plenty of different textiles and for different purposes, making it all the more common to find Houndstooth almost everywhere you looked!
So, as you may have surmised, both the textile pattern and the sport share a common heritage rooted in Scottish history.
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Early golfers would also usually don traditional attire on the golf course, including kilts made from various types of tartan fabrics. Houndstooth is actually one of the most prominent tartan patterns, which means that you could often find it on the greens when the first few golf players began to take up the sport.
For plenty of players, wearing traditional Scottish patterns and fabrics is like paying homage to the sport's heritage (and potentially their own as well!). Luckily, the classic yet sophisticated aesthetic of Houndstooth perfectly complements the refined atmosphere that golf has.
So, if you want to look suave on the golf course and impress your golfing buddies, adding a little Houndstooth to your ensemble is the best way to do it. Just imagine stepping out onto the green in a sleek g.WICK Golfing Midlayer - you'll be the envy of every other golfer out there!
FAQsWhat's the difference between Houndstooth and Dogtooth?The difference between Houndstooth and Dogtooth is actually incredibly subtle. Although the terms are typically used interchangeably, there is a small difference that sets these two patterns apart. Houndstooth refers to a two-toned textile pattern that has a tessellation of light and dark solid checks alternating with light and dark diagonally-striped checks. It also typically has a larger-scale pattern with checks that use a jagged shape - much like a canine's tooth! Dogstooth, also known as 'Puppytooth', is usually a smaller-scale version of the Houndstooth pattern. It has a similar design but with smaller, more tightly-spaced checks. Where did the Houndstooth pattern come from?The Houndstooth pattern comes from the Scottish Lowlands, where it was woven by shepherds. It has deep roots within Scotland's textiles and Scottish tradition, and it was initially used for more practical purposes before it became the symbol of style and status within the fashion world. In fact, it has come a long way from rolling hills to sleek catwalks! What is the Houndstooth pattern symbolism?The Houndstooth pattern is a proud symbol of Scottish tradition and heritage. Since the pattern was largely woven and worn by Scottish shepherds, some believe that the pattern also symbolises protection. However, it has evolved over time. Now, this timeless pattern also symbolises sophistication, elegance, and classic style. What does the Houndstooth pattern look like?The Houndstooth pattern looks just like a hound's tooth, with uniquely jagged checks. The design is usually very distinctive, and features alternating bands of four light threads and four dark threads. This creates a chequered pattern with a combination of light and dark squares. Typically, this is used in pieces like tweed fabrics. |
Final Thoughts
To this day, the Houndstooth pattern stands as a symbol of Scottish pride and heritage. And when it comes to using it for apparel, it's all about elegance, classic style, and sophistication.
From its humble beginnings as a woven textile for practical use to its popularised use as a fashion statement, Houndstooth is one of the most recognisable patterns in the world. And while it can be used for almost any occasion, we can't get enough of how good it looks on the golf course.
So, if you want to stand out and look incredible when heading down to the driving range or golfing green, Glenmuir has your back.