Golf, school uniforms, Burlington socks—when we hear the word “Argyle,” a whole lot of things immediately come to mind. And that’s no surprise. Argyle is a true classic, and we’ve all seen the pattern many times before: checkerboard-style diamonds standing on their points, as well as crisscrossing stripes—often in a contrasting color.
A Brief History of the Argyle Pattern
It is believed that the Argyle pattern originated with the Campbell clan from the Scottish county of Argyll. The checkerboard-like arrangement of diamonds was considered a symbol of clan affiliation among Scottish clans. In the 18th century, the design is said to have evolved from the “tartan” checkered pattern . A key factor was likely a very practical consideration on the part of the Campbells, who produced knitwear: tartan was simply best rendered in the form of diamonds in knit fabrics. Voilà—the classic pattern was born, one we know best from socks or skirts in school uniforms.
Argyle
In muted tones like blush, mauve, and chocolate, Argyle sheds its golf club image and takes on an unexpectedly feminine look. This soft color palette transitions seamlessly from day to night—pair it with cream and soft leather, and you’ve got a subtle, modern look.
Argyle in muted tones: a heritage pattern with a feminine twist
At the beginning of the 20th century, the knitwear company “Pringle of Scotland” used the diamond pattern for sweatersand slipovers. Argyle knitwear was highly sought after by English golfers and set a trend in the golfing community. Later, they became a classic of casual sportswear worldwide. The “Burlington” label made the three-dimensional-looking checkered pattern particularly popular through its popular socks.
In the 1980s, the Argyle pattern experienced a revival—especially among high society. Anyone who considered themselves fashionable chose outerwear, pants, or skirts featuring the diamond pattern. Today, designers continue to draw on this pattern for their runway collections, reinterpreting it in entirely new ways—for example, withneon accents or bold colors, oversized cuts and overall unstructured silhouettes, puff sleeves, or in combination withother check patternsand polka dots.
How to Style Argyle – Here's How!
Argyle patterns combine British tradition with fashionable charm. To give the classic diamond design a modern and contemporary look, it’s worth playing with contrasts. Whether worn casually with denim, edgily with leather, or in a surprising mix of patterns—Argyle is more versatile today than ever before and can be styled elegantly for both everyday wear and the office.
Pair with jeans: An Argyle tank top or sweater looks especially casual and modern with jeans.
Contrast with leather: Faux leather pants, leather jackets, or rugged boots give the traditional pattern a cool twist.
Choose sneakers instead of dress shoes: Sneakers add a casual touch to classic outfits featuring dress pants or a blouse.
Wear in the athleisure style: When paired with athletic pieces like sweatpants, track pants, or sneakers, argyle looks surprisingly modern.
Dare to mix patterns: Leopard prints, polka dots, or other checkered patterns create a trendy and unique look.
Combining different plaid patterns: Several checkered patterns work particularly well when they are from the same color family.
How to style a blouse: An Argyle slipover worn over a white blouse is a timeless classic with preppy charm.
Creating Retro Looks: Corduroy skirts, Marlene pants, or loafers highlight the nostalgic character of the pattern.
To wear to the office: An Argyle sweater or slipover adds a stylish twist to classic office outfits.
Add a touch of glamour: Silver-colored jewelry or shimmering accessories give the pattern a modern, elegant touch.
Focus on individual statement pieces: Even just an Argyle sweater or a knit vest is enough to add character to an outfit.
Choose a subdued color palette: Solid-colored pants, skirts, or jackets really let the striking diamond pattern stand out.
Styling Do's & Don'ts for Your Argyle Look
Embrace Contrasts: Deliberately Pair Argyle with Trendy Pieces
A Sure Bet: Stick to color combinations within the same color family
Dare to mix patterns—from leos to polka dots to plaid combinations
Choose from faux leather pants, studded miniskirts, or jeans to match your outfit
Wear boots or sneakers for a cooler look
Spice Up Your Mini Skirts with Argyle Knee-High Socks
Sparkling accessories add the finishing touch
Don'ts
Beige as a Color Combination
Outfits featuring classic gray pleated pants
A look that's overloaded with patterns
Polo shirts, pleated skirts
Combining prints from multiple color families
Accessories such as extra-narrow belts
Feminine, conservative shoes such as knee-high boots or lace-ups
Christine Schmitz
My love for fashion and communication led me to Ana Alcazar—having cut my teeth as a copywriter and concept developer in traditional advertising, I’ve been writing for our Munich-based designer label for over 10 years. On the editorial team, I’m responsible for all corporate topics, and I also focus on current trends and my passion: gender equality.
Between Image and History
Sometimes a story needs more than a photo can convey. That’s why some of the images in this article were created using artificial intelligence (AI)—curated, inspiring, and always in the spirit of “Wear your Story.” The AI-generated images are clearly labeled next to each photo.
