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My daughter received a copy of Delia’s summer catalog in the mail recently, and I finally had the chance to look through it. My, my, my-the next few months appear to be awash with gingham and plaids. That must be great news for those that like it; have you been drawn to those patterns?

Many of us probably first laid eyes on gingham was when we watched the “Wizard of Oz” and got a look at Dorothy’s dress. Since that movie was made about 70 years ago, I venture that it’s gone in and out of style quite a few times, but I don’t think I’ve ever owned one item in gingham-unless you want to count a plastic picnic tablecloth. It’s not that I don’t think it ugly; I just don’t think of it at all, really. If given a choice of images to rest my eyes on at any one moment, I tend to opt for an image or an intricate design-something a bit more aesthetic than straight lines. I suppose that’s why I’m not a plaid person either. Plaid is also hard to wear, actually, unless you have several plain items to wear with it. Right now, I’ve a pair of black and white plaid shorts, and that’s it. I just threw away two old plaid-type shirts that had a woven gold thread throughout their plaid, and I liked that addition. Every so often, I’ll wear a work shirt in a small plaid, but I’ve never wanted anything with a large plaid; Madras does nothing for me, and patchwork of any sort leaves me cold.

Speaking of which, there is a strapless sundress in Delia’s that entirely patchwork, including a sash, and it may just generate interest by teenagers. There is also a plain white tunic trimmed with a band of red, navy, gold and white plaid that isn’t bad, especially since the two straps repeat the plaid material. They are also showing houndstooth and gingham cuffed shorts, a plaid woven straw bag (in fuschia, lemon and royal blue) and a hoodie that’s mostly turquoise, fushia and white plaid, save for a few stripes of gold, purple and sky blue. (I think wearing anything with that would definitely be challenging.) There is also something called a “bubble mini with fold-over waist” that may be attractive to some young girls; it’s about 9 inches long and a patchwork of squares in black and white checks and polka dots. What I can’t see my daughter (or any of her friends wearing) is a patchwork halter that appears to contain every color (except purple) that also sports a ruffle under the bust.

If you happen to like seersucker, Delia’s is also offering low-rise, short shorts-the blue and white is exactly what I happened to have worn in a summer office suit-and they also offer the same style in red, green and black gingham. Most of the plaids are your typical small types, but even I’d consider (if longer) a pair of shorts with white background showing from under a crossing of wide mint green and skinny pink stripes, topped off by little pink, heart shaped buttons at the waist... It’s plaid, but doesn’t scream out that it is.

Flipping further through, I see a pink and white seersucker sundress, fairly unique, and a gingham halter dress that comes in green or pink. (I think I’d feel like Maryann from Gilligan’s Island in that, but it’s cute.) I spotted a Juliet top in red, green and yellow plaid, colors which are definitely cheery, but its sporty-ness seems to clash with the girly-ness of the addition of white eyelet trim.

You can’t forget bathing suits; there are ginghams in one and two piece styles, but only in the colors of pink or black. Working on the premise of gingham is another design that places diagonal stripes of green, orange, blue, yellow and pink against white. The busy pattern looks better in a two piece versions than in a tankini, as far as I’m concerned, for the simple fact there’s less of it. Check it out for yourself, and let the rest of us know what you think: http://store.delias.com/browse.do;jsessionid=198E061637D1C7394EDC28FD42863AB7.worker5?categoryKey=seasonal&topnavTrack=seasonal&incmpid=TopNavSeas