Houndstooth (or Dogtooth as it’s also commonly known) is for me, one of those patterns or statement pieces that you can use to balance formal tailoring and casual street style. It’s easy to dress up or down. In fact, it’s probably more versatile than you may think. It definitely adds a more sophisticated edge to an outfit and can elevate even the most basic of looks (black t-shirt and jeans anyone?).

Over time, I’ve had my fair share of houndstooth pieces that I consider to be rather iconic. There was that houndstooth tote that I bought when I left GQ to blog full time that carried my laptop and notebook around London’s West End bars and cafés. I even some houndstooth leggings from my teens (although I’m not sure what I was thinking there to be honest).

A houndstooth piece can be distinctive and an easy aesthetic that anyone can follow. In this post I’m wearing an up-sized dogtooth trench from New Look and have paired it with a simple pair of nude heels, my favourite Staud bag and a beautiful maxi dress from Saint & Sofia. My preference when wearing houndstooth is to keep everything else toned down so it becomes more of a statement. I prefer a neutral colour palette but if my mood that day makes me lean towards colour, then I have a gorgeous canary yellow dress which looks equally as cool (and more ‘street’ than ‘elegant’).

If you want to elevate an outfit and make it look and feel more luxury, don’t be afraid to play with textures. Black leather leggings with a black roll neck looks great as does trainers and a black vinyl belt to nip in the waist. Check out my edit for more ideas below.