Every day is an onslaught of colors and images merging or layering with each other to create unique patterns on prints. We see them all around us. From school uniforms, your wardrobe daily wears, casual to formal gatherings, and to office outfits, patterned pieces consists a pair or two of the mentioned situations.

And so much of the fact that we see them on a daily basis, it seems not important to know their name. As a consequence, we categorized them as simply “colorful patterns,” “tribal patterns,” and a lot more terms associating on their appearance. Because who cares? Well, you should if you want to be fashionable. You wouldn’t be one if you are not aware.

Apart from the floral, here are the other most common patterns we get to see on a daily basis, but often still have confused thoughts about.

Houndstooth

Houndstooth or also called as puppytooth on a smaller version is first weaved on the wool cloth of the Scottish lowlands.

At first glance, it looks similar to checks, but the broken bands made it different. The classic color combination is black and white, but you will also see them nowadays in earth tones.

Checks

This one is one of the most common patterns and easily recognizable. It has solid bands woven in two or more colors.

This is different in the current trending gingham pattern, as that one has only two colors (white and any other different shade) and the square blocks are of the same size.

Plaid

Plaid is referred to as “tartan” in Europe, although it would be more correct to say that plaid is an “inspired tartan pattern,” as these crisscrossing bands of multiple colors in horizontal and vertical lines is a copy of the original tartan.

Tartan

Tartan is like the mother of plaid. It originated from Scotland, where this pattern is considered to be a trademark of their kilts.

It is also a sign of the Scottish heritage in which the notion became popular in the 19th century when it was associated to Scottish clans. The features of tartan are the same as plaid.

Herringbone