Master the rugged lumberjack look from the comfort of your own desk.

Many items of clothing fall in and out of favour (drop-crotch trousers, anyone?), worn with fervour one season and ridiculed the next. But some, well, don’t. The check shirt – with its origins dating back to Scottish tartan in the 1500s – is one such stalwart. It gained its name as a clothing workhorse in the early 20th century on the backs of lumberjacks and cowboys, and it still serves a purpose in our wardrobes today. Less as a symbol of hands-on hard work, mind; more as an easy, casual piece that allows us to channel the vague idea of manly endeavour. You may not chop down trees for a living, but wearing a trusty check can make, say, sitting in front of a computer all day feel that little bit more rough and ready. (If you do chop down trees for a living, forgive us our putty-soft hands.)

This spring, some of our favourite brands are taking a fresh look at the good old check shirt. Here are three of our favourite examples.

Apart from the origins outlined in our introduction, we have an old American folklore figure called Mr Paul Bunyan to thank for the classic red check shirt. Who’s he? Well, a massive lumberjack with superhuman powers (and a superb red check shirt), of course, whose likeness can be seen in many statues across North America. We think he’d approve of the shirt-cum-jacket above from Undercover, a brand known for its meticulous approach to construction, which comes in dense cotton-flannel. Pair it with trousers and some sturdy boots from Red Wing to complete the outdoors feel. Even if you do wear this look on the less than intrepid journey to your local pub.

It’s not all about the red check when it comes to plaid shirts. Look at the cover of the Beach Boys’ 1963 album Surfer Girl and you’ll see the merits of a blue check. And look at, well, most of Mr Kurt Cobain’s wardrobe and you’ll see the merits of a grungier check. This brown and blue piece, made by the appropriately rock ’n’ roll brand Saint Laurent, is one such example. Pair this with a leather jacket and some slim black jeans to complete the effect.

Although it is one of the most casual pieces you can own, a check shirt can be a little bit refined when it wants to be. A button-down collar usually has the effect of making a shirt more casual. But with a rugged check, it has the reverse effect. Obviously, lumberjacks and the cowboys wouldn’t approve, but we’re in no way attempting to step on their toes with this smartish tonal navy piece from Italian brand Isaia. Slip a navy blazer over the top, pull on some chinos, and you’re putting a rather sophisticated slant on a workwear classic.