Recent addition - Shephard's Check

[floatinjoe]

Well, I actually picked this up on ebay about a month ago, and am just now getting around to posting about it. It isn't vintage, but it is a Black and White Tropical Shephard's Check.

This is a single-breasted, notched lapel Brooks Brothers suit with pleated/cuffed slacks. My question is: what color combinations would look good with this for shirt/tie/pocket square? I almost think that if I use any black or white coloring it won't look to good. Any advice.

Also, I'm hoping to find a nice pair of black and white spectators to go with this suit.

I'll post pics as soon as I can find someone to take them.

Mike

 

[Fletch]

The Shepherd's check is also the tartan pattern of Northumberland, England, and of the clan name Shepherd (aka Shepard, Sheppard etc).

This ad from the MIT Tech (their school paper), February 27, 1931, tells a little about the history and color combination suggestions. (The Shepherd's check here is on ties, not a suit.)

No one, especially no real Scot, would let a black sheep go un-
shorn. That's the whole story behind the centuries-old black
and white "Shepherd's Check." During a period when the
wearing of the Tartan plaids was forbidden, the "Check" was
the national costume. 100 years ago a Scotchman experimented
by dye-copying the color schemes in Killiecrankie Pass. His
new dyed check was a great success and a 19th century Scotch
vogue. We've copied him at his best in our "Shepherd's Check"
neckwear. The Prince of Wales and well-dressed Londoners
like them wholeheartedly. We're sure you will-at $2.
For wear with a blue suit: a Shepherd's Check tie in Bracken
Red and Yellow; or Navy, Marine and Light Blue.
For wear with a brown suit: Shepherd's Check in Chocolate,
Brown and Tan.
For a gray suit: Black, Gray and White; Cardinal Red and
Blue; Jasper Blue and Black. Come in and investigate the pos-
sibilities of Shepherd's Check neckwear!
STREET FLOOR-STORE FOR MEN

As for the suit combos: I'd avoid stripes ('cuz of the check), or anything navy or brown ('cuz of the black and white).
A medium blue shirt and a light tie is one idea - very classic and still often seen.
Pastel shirts work too (pinks, greens, peach?) with a darker tie (a black one particularly).