Emma Willis just gave us the ultimate jeans and loafers outfit for autumn - and it starts with her COS jumper

The Strictly host does preppy chic so well

Emma Willis
(Image credit: Joseph Okpako/WireImage/Getty Images)

Is there any autumn outfit idea that’s as reliable as jeans and a jumper? When cool weather rolls in, the pairing becomes one of the most trusted styling combinations, and Emma Willis has just shown us how to give it a preppy, elevated spin.

Spotted on BBC Radio 2’s Instagram page, the new Strictly Come Dancing host wore the argyle wool-alpaca v-neck jumper from COS, with its grey, red and white colour palette perfectly balancing the dark, moodier wine tones of autumn with something brighter and uplifting.

She paired this knit - which is one I’ve immediately added to my autumn wishlist - with a pair of mid-wash, straight-leg denim jeans and cuffed the hem ever-so-slightly to complement the low profile of her preppy, black loafers.

Shop Emma Willis's Autumn Look

Whether you're recreating her outfit fully or adapting the outfit formula for your own wardrobe, we’d recommend sticking with Emma's choice of argyle knitwear. You might already have the pattern on hand in your capsule wardrobe but if you don’t, it’s one that’s well worth investing in. Blending style with practicality, argyle often comes in hues that blend seamlessly with other staple autumnal colours and those that are dominating the autumn/winter fashion colour trends for 2026, so it's a pattern that can be worn alongside a multitude of different pieces.

Plus, checks, argyle and other heritage-inspired patterns are taking off as massive autumn/winter fashion trends for 2026, as they bring bold prints to outfits in a timeless and wearable way. Just look at how Emma’s knit brings so much colour into her jeans outfit without it feeling OTT, and she perfectly complemented its preppy feel with her choice of loafers. While your best white trainers would easily finish off this look, there’s no denying that the sleek leather of her classic footwear elevated this look tenfold.

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse
Freelance news writer

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is a freelance royal news, entertainment and fashion writer. She began her journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with Good To, BBC Good Food, The Independent, The Big Issue and The Metro.

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