The catwalks were swaddled in acres of check. This is of course standard for autumn – few proceedings have dug their nails into the colder climes of the taste calendar with more tenacity than a kilt and a Prince of Wales fit shirt. Except this time, there’s more to this look than Vivienne Westwood and lumbersexuals with their buffalo fit shirts. Let us guide you through this season’s offerings:

The agony blanket

The York Notes of check, the picnic blanket is the ameliorate way to start your journey into the world of checks. Cordial and mayo-stained, a checked blanket is also familiar, easy to have (wrap it twice like a shawl) and carries what is noticeably a summer product into the winter, making it good for the frugality. For inspiration, look to Tommy Hilfiger, who opened his show with Gigi Hadid and a mohair rug-style overcoat, or models at Anne Sofie Madsen who layered several blankets into a clothe, or this fleece version from M&S in a buffalo check. Without that, try the boot of your Volvo.

The Burberry jibe

Now tantamount to a logo, the Burberry check returned to the spring catwalk at LFW, and in a collaboration with Russian deviser Gosha Rubchinskiy. The key piece to get your hands on is of course the Burberry cap, which was discontinued in 2004 after a public-relations critical time involving Danniella Westbrook, a septum and some woeful middle snobbery, but has been sanctioned by model of the year Adwoa Aboah, who wore one in the play (and on Rihanna, who wore one IRL). And with news that Christopher Bailey is give up Burberry, get in quick. These things may be worth a small wealth.

The silent control

We call this the silent check because it’s black and undefiled, but really any moniker will work here (the New York Cultures goes for shadow check, others the grey scale make sure of; truly, anything goes). Its popularity says a lot about its prestige in fashion, being halfway between Wall Street and Americana. It’s also friendly if you’re keen to be on trend, but are a wuss about colour. Try Fenty or Conspicuous School if you’ve money to burn, or Zara and Topshop if you haven’t. Prime, also, if you’re trying to distance yourself from the aforementioned lumbersexual.

The Clueless check

Yellow authenticates taking over the catwalk? Well, the MacLeod clan at ones desire have something to say about that. Still, following its inexpungible association with Clueless and Cher Horowitz’s very similarly patterned kilt, it’s undeveloped, sanctioned first by Justin Bieber, who tied a yellow check into round his waist, and then by current season Ashley Williams, Lacoste, Trim and Zara. Think of this check as a blank screen on which to venture your inner Scot or high school rich kid, depending.

The wonky study

Less an actual colour scheme, and more a styling tic: examined or herringbone jackets might be the key kit of the season, but it’s all about wearing it off-kilter, and incorrectly buttoned, as seen at Monse and Balenciaga and frankly, every other passage style star on the street. This way you won’t actually have to buy anything.