Top Phoenix Life and Style Blogger

Summer love is in the air you guys, and I’m not just talking about the eye-roll inducing little love fest you see in today’s pics (we can’t help it – just embrace the summer love, people!). It’s our love for gingham we’re talking about today, and if you guys aren’t already on the summer gingham train, consider today’s post our push to get you on board! I’ve long loved a good gingham print in all its classic and updated forms, and there’s just something that screams all-American summer about it to me. It never goes out of style! Draping tables at summer BBQs, tying up poolside ponytails, at the beach, at a wedding and everything in between. So today we’re doing summer gingham for him and her in Northern Michigan because if there’s one place that gingham was meant to be, it’s by the lake for a little summer vacay!

Shop Gingham for Her

Shop Gingham for Him

Let’s just start by putting this out there – I ate more brownies, cake, cupcakes, Cheetos, Cool Ranch Doritos, fried chicken, cheesy potatoes, candy, burgers and just about every other snack under the sun during my time Up North than one adult human should be allowed to, which is pretty much standard operation for me every year that we’re up there. My mom is seriously the best vacation snack stocker on the planet and with a bunch of little kiddos around the house now, the snacks are next level. My 3-year-old nephew actually scolded me for taking the last Cheeto and was pretty angry about it (yes, yes I did steal a toddler’s snack and I’m not even sorry about it).

In light of Snackapalooza 2018, you know I had to bring that high-waisted bikini to the lake. Planning, people. Planning. I don’t normally show up on this here blog in a swimsuit, but in true Up North fashion, this is my happy place when I’m at the lake so you’ll all just have to embrace it along with me today, flaws and all. Cool? Cool. Truth be told though, I loved this high-waisted blue and white micro gingham J.Crew bikini the second I saw it. I love the strapless, ruffled top that’s so comfortable and would basically be flattering on anyone (it also comes with a halter tie and extra detachable straps for tons of versatility) and the high-waisted bottoms are the perfect pairing for that style. I also picked up the matching low rise bikini bottoms so I could wear either style depending on my mood. I’m not always in the mood to wear a high-waisted bottom, so I need options, ya know?

Sadly J.Crew had an epic sale last week and weekend where they were pretty much giving away clothes and these particular gingham swim pieces are almost sold out on both J.Crew’s site and Nordstrom – I linked to what I could in both places. But fear not, I rounded up tons and tons of other awesome gingham swim options that I love, plus so many more summer gingham pieces that I’m swooning over in the shop widgets above and below. I particularly love this navy and white gingham bikini top with these matching high-waisted bottoms and these low-rise bottoms. I also love this black and white top with these cute high-waisted bottoms.

And if you’re not feeling the whole gingham swim thing, there are so many more summer gingham pieces out there that love, including this midi dress, this skirt, these sneakers, this top, this dress, these heels and so much more! I’m also pretty in love with this chambray shirt that I’m wearing (what else is new), but I swear it’s not just another chambray shirt! Ok well maybe it is, but it’s so comfortable and has the best fit – I’m wearing an XS here and it’s just ever so slightly relaxed, which I love. I want to live in this thing. I’m also wearing this too-cute striped strawberry-embroidered bandana on repeat as of late. I love tying it up in my ponytail for a no-fuss, air-dried summer hairstyle.

Like any heather poplin “secret wash” shirt from J.Crew, Chris is really feelin’ this gingham shirt that he has on here (similar here), and I think that’s mostly because of how comfortable it is. These shirts are insanely soft, lightweight and low maintenance. When we were chatting about gingham the other day he tried to deny that he loves it, but clearly he didn’t realize just how much gingham he has hanging in his closet and quickly recanted. What I’ve noticed is that basically all dudes love it whether they know it or not. I’ve seen gingham on literally ever make and model of man, and it somehow never looks bad. It always just look classic, cool, comfortable and appropriate. Appropriate for basically any activity or occasion and any style of guy!

Chris also loves the fit of the garment-dyed chinos he has on from J.Crew and says that they’re super lightweight and comfortable while still feeling substantial enough to wear to work, which I think is the ultimate thumbs up review from any guy for a pair of pants. He also loves the J.Crew 484 slim fit pant which is super similar to this style and has that style in several colors. And as far as gingham garments go, he’s really into these micro gingham shorts, these shorts, this shirt, and this shirt. So much gingham to go around!

Are you guys as in love with this classic style staple as we are, or are you ready for gingham to be put to bed for good? Let us know in the comments section below so we can all debate the fate of gingham!