Fair Isle and Argyle Sweaters: How to Wear Them in 2026

Fair Isle and argyle are the two classic patterned knits of British winter dressing. Fair Isle is a band of small repeating motifs knitted in several colours, named after the Shetland island where it began; argyle is a diamond check overlaid with thin diagonal lines, from the tartan of the Scottish Clan Campbell of Argyll. Both are back for Autumn Winter 2026, softened with brushed cashmere and alpaca and cut in relaxed modern shapes.

This guide explains how to tell the two apart, how to wear a patterned knit without looking costumed, and the ME+EM Fair Isle and argyle pieces available on Coveti, from a $340 cashmere scarf to a $660 argyle jumper.

Fair Isle vs argyle

ME+EM Fair Isle knits

ME+EM’s Fair Isle for the season is a graphic, chunky take in a neutral palette of brown, cream and grey, knitted in merino wool blends.

• Fair Isle Relaxed Cardigan in Neutral Multi ($530): 77% merino wool in a chunky, weighted stitch. Made in Turkey.
• Fair Isle Vest + Snood in Neutral Multi ($470): a sleeveless vest with a detachable snood, so it is two pieces in one. ME+EM designed it to be worn with the cardigan as a set.
• Fair Isle Relaxed Jumper in Pecan Brown Multi ($470): alpaca, polyamide and merino.
• Fair Isle Baby Tee in Grey Multi ($390): a short-sleeved, shrunken alpaca blend, made in Italy, for layering over a shirt.

ME+EM argyle knits

ME+EM’s argyle is knitted in pure brushed cashmere, which gives the diamonds a soft, slightly hazy edge.

• Argyle Relaxed Jumper in Bright Navy/Merlot Red ($660): 100% brushed cashmere in the boldest colourway, navy and merlot.
• Argyle Relaxed Jumper in Pecan Brown Mélange/Charcoal ($660): the quieter version in brown and charcoal.
• Relaxed Argyle Jumper in Grey Multi ($620): 100% cashmere.
• Triangle Argyle Scarf in Grey Multi ($340): cashmere, designed to match the grey argyle jumper. Also in Smoke Pink ($340).

How to wear Fair Isle

• Keep the rest plain. One pattern per outfit. A Fair Isle cardigan with cream wide-leg trousers and a white shirt is the simplest formula.
• Wear the vest over a shirt. The snood vest over a crisp poplin shirt, with the collar out, is the most modern way to wear the pattern.
• Dress it up with a skirt. A Fair Isle knit over a satin midi skirt is an easy party look for a country weekend.
• Match the earthy tones. Pick out the brown in the pattern for your trousers and boots.

How to wear argyle

• Tuck it into jeans. A relaxed argyle jumper half-tucked into straight jeans with loafers is the classic look.
• Pair it with tailoring. Wear it under a grey blazer instead of a shirt for the office.
• Repeat the colour. With the navy and merlot jumper, wear navy trousers and a merlot bag.
• Use the scarf as the only pattern over a plain coat if a full argyle jumper feels too much.

Caring for patterned wool and cashmere knits

Hand wash cold with a wool detergent, never wring, and dry flat on a towel. Brushed cashmere sheds a little in the first weeks; that is normal. De-pill with a cashmere comb, and store folded, never on a hanger. Check each product page for the exact care label.

For the full range of ME+EM jumpers and cardigans see our ME+EM knitwear guide, and shop every designer knit on Coveti.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Fair Isle and argyle?

Fair Isle is made of horizontal bands of small multicoloured motifs, from Fair Isle in Shetland. Argyle is a pattern of diamonds with a thin diagonal overcheck, from the tartan of Clan Campbell of Argyll.

Are Fair Isle sweaters in style in 2026?

Yes. Fair Isle is a key knit for Autumn Winter 2026, worn in relaxed shapes and neutral colours, and ME+EM has a Fair Isle cardigan, vest with snood, jumper and baby tee this season.

How do you style an argyle sweater?

Keep the rest of the outfit plain: tuck an argyle jumper into straight jeans, wear it under a blazer, and repeat one of its colours in your trousers and bag.

What is ME+EM’s argyle jumper made of?

The ME+EM Argyle Relaxed Jumper is 100% brushed cashmere. It costs $660 on Coveti in Bright Navy/Merlot Red and Pecan Brown Mélange/Charcoal.

How do you wash a Fair Isle jumper?

Hand wash it cold with wool detergent, press out the water without wringing, and dry it flat. Store it folded so it keeps its shape.