Tattersall Check
Origin
Richard Tattersall founded his horse market near Hyde Park Corner in London in 1766. The checked horse blankets used at the market became so associated with the establishment that the pattern took its name. By the 19th century, the tattersall check had migrated from horse blankets to men's shirts and waistcoats, becoming a staple of British country wear.
Pattern Structure
Tattersall is defined by evenly-spaced thin lines in two colors on a light ground. Typically, the lines alternate between two colors — for example, red and blue lines on white, or brown and blue lines on cream. The lines are always thin and evenly spaced, creating a clean, orderly grid. Where lines of different colors cross, a small square of mixed color appears at the intersection.
The simplicity and regularity of the pattern give it a quiet, understated elegance. It's more refined than gingham and less bold than buffalo check.
In Fashion
Tattersall is primarily a shirting pattern. A tattersall-check shirt is a classic piece in British and American traditional menswear, particularly in equestrian and country contexts. It pairs naturally with tweed jackets, corduroy trousers, and boots. The pattern is also common in waistcoats and ties.
The tattersall check has a strong presence in preppy fashion, where it sits alongside gingham and madras as a warm-weather staple. Ralph Lauren and similar brands have kept the pattern in regular rotation.
Tattersall in Women's Wear
The pattern appears in women's shirts and blouses, often styled similarly to menswear-inspired looks. Tattersall shirts work well under blazers or layered with knitwear in a fall and winter context.