Looking to jazz up your jeans? Harriet Phillips' Argyle knit nails the heritage trend and would look so chic with denim

It might be just as comfortable as a plain jumper, but something about a patterned design like this feels more elegant

Harriet Sperling attends day 4 'Gold Cup Day' of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2026
(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
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If you're anything like me, your knitwear collection is rather large and forms a vital part of your jeans-and-a-nice top outfits in the winter. A cosy knit and denim is a failsafe combination and if you want your sweaters to feel a little more elevated, then the heritage trend has sparked a flood of chic and detailed designs.

Argyle jumpers with their traditional diamond checks are everywhere and Princess Anne's daughter-in-law Harriet Phillips just wore one by ARCH4 for her first ever interview with Hello!. As seen in a video shared by the publication, the royal sported the grey and black knit with a rather bold lace dress underneath.

This made for a dramatic photoshoot outfit, though I suspect Harriet might swap the frock for something a little more casual day-to-day.

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Her cashmere jumper had three-quarter length sleeves and a crew-neckline, with ribbed trims adding a neat finishing touch. The combination of charcoal grey and black in the checked pattern kept everything very pared-back and versatile.

Most Argyle sweaters tend to have at least one neutral colour - usually the base shade - in them. This just helps to make them easier to style with a range of other pieces and balances out any statement hues alongside them.

Because the iconic Argyle diamonds are so striking, you can go for all monochrome like Harriet or something equally muted and it'll still be a chic focal point for your outfit. If you want the heritage feel to really do all the talking then I'd recommend going for a design that has a high contrast.

Black against camel or white for example will emphasise the pattern more than if you choose something with two or three very similar colours. The former NHS nurse went for a short sleeved knit though longer sleeves will naturally keep you warmer as we edge further into winter.

Instead of a dress, imagine styling your most comfortable jeans with an Argyle sweater tucked in to create a smart-casual look. Patterned knits feel a bit more fashion-forward and considered than plain ones and so they're great for giving denim a makeover.

Jeans will pretty much go with any jumper, though wearing certain silhouettes together can be particularly frame-flattering. Chunky, oversized knitwear looks great draped over more streamlined jeans whilst fitted styles work better tucked into looser shapes like straight-leg or wide-leg.

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales visits an IKEA store in Belfast

(Image credit: Photo by Phil Noble-Pool via Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty)

If you want to maximise ticking off the heritage trend then you could also add an Argyle neck scarf or gloves, or else wear your jumper with a plaid skirt like the one the Princess of Wales recently wore in Belfast. Just because there's a pattern doesn't mean there aren't a lot of styling possibilities, though keeping things simple is easier.

Since romance blossomed with the King's nephew Peter Phillips, Harriet hasn't been spotted out too often in the colder months so we only have a few examples of her autumn/winter style. Her Argyle knit look is an interesting addition and suggests she likes incorporating traditional details just like the other royals.

Emma is a Royal Editor with nine years of experience in publishing. She specialises in writing about the British Royal Family, covering everything from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her extensive royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!

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