RELEASE THE HOUNDS(TOOTH)

Houndstooth is here in a big way this fall. Some might say it’s back, but to paraphrase Prince, houndstooth never left.

I love when a classic print gets thrusted into the sartorial spotlight because anything you buy is a forever purchase. The best trends are the trends that aren’t. You can invest without worrying that you’ll hate it in a year, because if you do get sick of it, just hang it towards the back of your closet until it’s something you’re into again.

For example, consider the houndstooth Theory blazer that I purchased in (I think) 2010. I still love the leather accent at the collar and pockets and the flecks of color in the traditional black-brown houndstooth. I’ve paired it with a large-print houndstooth and floral skirt and blouse from Zara (#15 in the Under $100 gallery, below) and my favorite Zara cowboy boots. The outfit is equal parts sophisticated and fun, and you could take it from your office to dinner without missing a beat.

Houndstooth’s current trendiness also means you have so much diversity in price point. And, you wouldn’t think it, but there’s also a ton of variation in the houndstooth print itself. Large and bold. Small and businesswear-appropriate. Classic black and white. Colors. There’s nothing staid or boring about this year’s houndstooth. Glen Plaid (a/k/a Glen Check and Glen Urquhart plaid) features houndstooth as one of its patterns within the check, so you probably already have houndstooth in your wardrobe even if you didn’t think you did.

Here are my picks for Best in Show (pun intended), arranged by price point for your convenience:

Under $100

Zara really leaned into the houndstooth trend, so they’re well-represented in the $100 or less crowd. There are a ton of options in these lower-priced picks. I’m very into the Zara vest (#11, below) and plan to wear it with with my Zara pleather shirt (featured in my second Pleather Weather post) and black denim culottes, and a pair of flat black boots. That blazer dress (#6) is also pretty gorgeous. If you’re not into showing that much leg, it would be great with a patterned tight or a black opaque tight.

$100 to $250

There are a lot of blazers and coats in this category. It was hard to edit because they were so good, and because I wanted to make sure that options were available in all sizes; some items only have a few pieces available. The standouts in this category for me are that brown-black houndstooth blouse (#3), the oversized Zara coat (#11), and AG crop pants (#13). I’d wear them all together for a should-be cacophony of houndstooth that works together so well.

The Best of the Rest ($250-$650)

So, this is a glorious hodgepodge of the moderate to expensive. I’ve sorted this category from low to high because there’s such a range. My favorites are the cocoon coat and the shorts suit from Sandro (#11). I also LOVE the Perfect Moment ski outfit (#12) but I’m a terrible skier and don’t deserve that level of awesomeness.

BONUS: A FEW FANTASY PIECES ($650 and up)

I think you’ll agree that it’s all pretty dreamy stuff. I’m going to stalk the bomber jacket (#3) until it sells out everywhere or is reduced to a purchase price that I can rationalize. If you’re into the high-end stuff, a lot of designers (Gucci, Balmain, and Alexander McQueen, to name a few) have some really beautiful houndstooth items this season that you should check out.