Designers on both sides of the pond seem smitten with gingham this season. There is an unpretentious vibe to this humble check that works well for flounced peasant dresses or crisp shirts. Gingham (or Vichy in France) turns up in traditional red-and-white or blue-and-white combos, but turquoise, yellow or other colors work too. Cotton is classic, while chiffons and sheer voiles elevate the look. There are even painterly dye effects that imitate the check, bringing a modern edge to the time-honored yarn-dye pattern.