Not quite a true houndstooth pattern but close enough. However, it's not the pattern I'm disappointed in but rather the fabric -- I guess viscose is not very soft... and I wouldn't describe this material as high-quality either... this is something similar to what they sell off the streets of China to tourists. Price seems really cheap until you realize shipping & handling costs more than the scarf itself. If you've got a Forever21 store near you, get a scarf from there instead...