The History of Gingham: A Timeless Classic

Gorgeous gingham… There’s something wonderfully nostalgic yet ultra trendy about gingham. Whether it’s the checkered tablecloth at a family picnic or the comforting pattern of your favourite duvet cover , gingham has a way of making us feel right at home.

As we launch our new gingham bed linen collection at Secret Linen Store, we’re excited to celebrate the rich history of this beloved pattern. Are you ready? We’d like you to join us on a little through the history of gingham, exploring how it went from humble beginnings to becoming a staple of modern interior design.

Discover our Gingham bed linen today

Gingham's journey began in the 17th century, not as the checkered fabric we know today, but as a striped fabric imported from Southeast Asia. The name “gingham” likely derives from the Malay word “genggang,” which means “striped.” It wasn’t until European weavers got their hands on it that gingham evolved into the check pattern we now know.

Originally made from cotton or linen , gingham was often associated with fabric that breathable and durable qualities, which we honoured when crafting our Gorgeous Ginghams collection. As the fabric gained popularity across Europe, it quickly became known for its simple yet eye-catching design, making it an ideal choice for everyday items like aprons, tablecloths, and, of course, bed linens.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, gingham’s practicality and charm made it a household staple. In Britain and America, gingham was used extensively in home decor, from curtains to kitchenware, which quickly cemented gingham has being reminiscent of ‘homely’ styling.

Wondering how to style our gingham tableware? Head over to our blog.

By the 20th century, gingham had become synonymous with wholesome, everyday life. It was the fabric of farmhouse kitchens and country cottages, often seen in cheerful shades of blue, red, and green. Gingham’s appeal lay in its versatility—it could be dressed up or down, mixed with florals for a quaint look, or paired with solids for a more understated effect.

Gingham wasn’t confined to the home; it also made a significant mark in fashion. From Dorothy’s iconic blue gingham dress in "The Wizard of Oz" to the playful styles of the 1960s, gingham was embraced by designers and style icons alike. Brigitte Bardot famously wore a pink gingham dress for her wedding, solidifying the print’s place in the world of fashion as a symbol of youthful, carefree elegance.

This crossover between fashion and home decor is part of what makes gingham so special—it’s a pattern that effortlessly bridges the gap between personal style and interior design, allowing us to bring a bit of that charming, nostalgic feel into our everyday spaces.

Today, gingham is more versatile than ever. It’s not just a pattern for quaint country homes and charming cottages —it’s a design element that can be adapted to suit any style, from Scandinavian minimalism to eclectic bohemian.

Designers play with scale, colour, and texture to keep gingham feeling fresh and contemporary. Gingham is a pattern to have fun with: pattern clash with florals or stripes, or layer up with texture upon texture for the cosiest room around.