Casual micro-check pants
August 21st, 2008Casual micro-check pants have started to surface in the US. I really like the look of these pants and have two pairs that I enjoy wearing when I’m bored of denim, but in the mood for a relaxed pants look. They are a great alternative to jeans in the casual pants category.
A “micro-check” is a monochromatic, fairly subtle, plaid design. Micro-checks can be casual or business casual depending on the integrity of the fabric. In order for this look to stay casual, you’re after pants in a cotton-rich fabrication. Fabric is key. Purchase these pants in a rayon or viscose wool blend and they’re instantly dressy.
Select a leg silhouette that works for you and commit to a heel height. I like micro-check pants best matched with plain tops, but prints will work if you choose them carefully. Add a denim jacket when it’s chilly and check-mate, you’ve beaten the casual pants dilemma.
The Gap has two nice micro-check pants options in at the moment (98% cotton, 2% spandex).The one style is flared and the other straight. The black and white flared leg is not nearly as low rise as its described. It has a brilliant adjustment detail to make it fit perfectly on the waistline.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:54 am
Thank you for this article Angie, I have been waiting for it! I will check out those black&white ones. I hope there will be more choices later in the season.
I haven’t bought anything from Gap in ages, but right now they have 4 (!) tops on the site that I like, plus these pants. Maybe there’s still hope from them after all…
August 21st, 2008 at 7:08 am
I know! I haven’t mentioned Gap in ages either. But we don’t leave a retail stone unturned.
I’ve tried both Gap styles on and they could work. Remember that pants can be adjusted if they don’t fit. Also, check out Esprit. They are masters of this look. Their links don’t work well though which is why there are no examples on this blog post. I’m sure your blood hound scent will sass out the best options for this look in no time. Keep us posted.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:12 am
I was just wondering…are the pictures you put up the casual or the dress microcheck pant? They look dress to me.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:22 am
I bought a pair similar to the black and white ones a couple of years ago at AT. Of course, they are a wool blend and not as casual, but I love them and have found them to be very versatile. Isn’t this what you call a glen plaid?
August 21st, 2008 at 7:52 am
I always liked these but also had trouble finding them in US. I used to have a pair from Benetton very similar to the pants on the right. Unsurprisingly, the quality wasn’t great and they didn’t last long. I’ll definitely check out the Gap ones!
August 21st, 2008 at 8:20 am
These are super cute, but I can’t help conceptualizing micro-check as work wear!
August 21st, 2008 at 8:28 am
Hmm, I’ve looked at the Esprit site and there is a plaid pair but the plaid is quite big so I don’t know if it can be classified as micro-checks. Unfortunately they don’t have a store here.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:02 am
Sal, I know wht you mean about woek wear, but I have thrown on a denim jacket (as was mentioned) and it really makes it look more hip and cool!
August 21st, 2008 at 9:06 am
Ok Love all my typos in my post- hope you got what I was trying to say.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:37 am
Tanya, I know which pants you’re talking about. I was looking at those as well but am worried about the large plaid pattern. Otherwise, I think they’d be great pants.
I am willing to give this look a go if I can find the right pants. I will head to the Gap to check these styles out. Thanks for the information, Angie.
August 21st, 2008 at 10:01 am
Love this look! I’ll definitely give it a try. What kind of shoes go well with them?
August 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am
I also thought this was glen plaid and would have thought micro check was mini-houndstooth….
August 21st, 2008 at 10:10 am
These are very cute pants, and I like how they are dressier than jeans so that I can wear them on weekdays too. I’ve always thought that patterned pants were a lot less versatile than solid color ones, but the patterns on these are subtle enough so they would look good with a variety of tops.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I like these - I used to have a pair of dressier micro-check pants, but alas, they’ve gone to the circular file. Sounds like Shelly’s gonna have to do some shopping!
I believe these pants are a glen plaid, but micro-check is perhaps a more all-encompassing word for any small checked patterns, be it houndstooth, glen plaid, etc. I could be wrong but am just offering up my interpretation.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Where does the GAp have these pants manufactured?
August 21st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Ooh good. I have a pair just like the second pair pictured, from a couple years ago. I love them very much and have been hoping I could wear them this fall.
This check pattern has really been in and out over the last 20 yrs or so, hasn’t it?
August 21st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Wouldn’t you know — those great black plaid pants are practically the only ones Gap doesn’t sell in a long inseam.
August 21st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Micro checks are a small check. A small hounds tooth design is also a micro check. I heard the word “plaid” for the first when I moved to America. It speaks for itself that I have never heard the word glen plaid. I’m happy to have learnt something new.
Tanya and Dani, Esprit’s checks are a little more macro at the moment, but keep your eyes peeled. They’ll stock up soon. Micro check pants are a typical Euro look, and Euro chain stores often sell them.
Julia, I have two pairs of micro check pants:
o Olive and black micro-check boot cuts for flats only. I love to travel in these pants. They are soft, uber casual and very comfy. Like fancy pj’s. I like to wear black and white Converse sneakers, a black knitted top and my denim jacket with the look. Pashmina gets thrown in for warmth. I also pair the pants with Swann flats and huge sling tote. That’s my “long flight” travel uniform. Sometimes I substitute my black trench for the denim jacket.
o Cream and black micro-check skinnies for all heel heights. These are my favourite non-denim bottoms. I cannot wear them without someone asking me where I got them from. (I bought them in Barcelona this Spring). They look great with my Swann flats. I like to add a black and grey spectator pump too. I’ll finish of the look with a black button shirt, Lavin-copy long chunky pearl necklace and either a denim jacket, biker jacket or tomato red military belted jacket.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
These are absolutely my favorite thing to wear after jeans. Thanks for giving me a name for them.
August 21st, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Thanks Angie for the detailed descriptions of your outfits. I made two polyvore images based on them. Let me know how close they are:
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=3177635
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=3177849
August 21st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I love these pants! I’m leery of those side slant pockets though. These pants only seem to exist with those pockets though, and I don’t like having little wings on my hips.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Glad to hear there is appreciation for this look. I wore my cream and black micro check pants yesterday. I absolutely love them. I feel like wearing them again tomorrow.
Rotten luck, Anne. Can you take down the hems?
Lovely visuals, Julia! Thank you. You pretty much have the right idea. You’d look utterly adorable in these looks. Hope you sport them!
Melissa and Sal, these are casual pants. I have no idea why the model is wearing soaring platform pumps with the look.
Maya, give these Gap styles a go. Those pockets *might* work. The rises are high and Gap goes on sale every 6 weeks.
August 21st, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I have micro-check pants that are brown and are very dressy — but I love the casual ones, esp the B&W! I might have to pop into Gap tomorrow on my lunch hour and check them out.
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:04 am
Hi, I’m Laura, I’m new here and am having so much fun with your site!
How about these pants from Liz Claiborne? They are 100% cotton, grey plaid (love grey) AND on sale ($50), AND come in petite sizes too. They are called Sloane Plaid bootcut pants, if this link doesn’t work.
http://www.lizclaiborne.com/pr.....age=search
Thanks for the great tips! Laura
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I LOVE these! I wore micro-checked walking shorts all summer long and can’t wait to get into the longer versions for fall/winter.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
OK, I have two questions….
Does the plaid make a person’s rear end look wider and or flatter? And could a person wear them with Chucky T’s?
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Nice Laura. Go for it.
Sure Nicole. I wear my Chucks with micro check pants all the time. Check out Julia’s polyvore creations in these comments. Wrt “wider and/or flatter”, this is not my impression. It’s all in the fit.