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Argyle Day
Jan 8
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"🎶 And if you could have seen her there
Boys, if you had just been there
The swan was in her movements
And the marvel in her smile
All the roses in the garden
They bow and ask her pardon
For not one could match the beauty Of the Queen of all Argyll"
~ The Queen of Argyll, Andy M. Stewart, Silly Wizard, 1983
Are you an Argyle pattern fancier? Ransack your closet today for an argyle pattern to sport, the design of interlocking diamonds and lozenges that gained global fame in knitwear after World War II. Its name, "Argyle," traces back to the Old Gaelic phrase airer Goídel, meaning "border region or coast of the Gaels." The pattern itself, using an older spelling of "Argyll," originates from the tartan of Clan Campbell of Argyll. This 48 bar jig takes its name from the ballad "Argyll's Fancy," properly known as "Argyll Is My Name," is a celebrated Scottish song attributed to John Campbell, the 2nd Duke of Argyll and Greenwich.
As a toponym—terms named after places—"Argyle" joins the ranks of other clothing-related toponyms such as Tuxedo, Jersey, Ascot, Paisley, Denim, Jeans, Suede, Duffel, Capris, Millinery, Polka Dot, Calico, and Bikini. 👑 ♦️🧦♦️
Argyll's Fancy
Deriving from the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in western Scotland, the argyle pattern (sometimes spelled "argyll") is typically rendered in a diamond or overlapping lozenge pattern, with an overlay of inter-crossing diagonal lines on solid diamonds.
Helped by its identification with the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII before his 1936 abdication, Pringle of Scotland (a luxury knitwear manufacturer and importer) popularized the design after World War I.
The argyle pattern became popular for golf clothing on both jerseys and long socks that were needed for the plus-fours trouser fashion of the day.
U. S. Open and PGA champion, Payne Stewart (1957-1999) was known and loved by his fans for his bright and “flashy” outfits of tams, knickerbockers (often tartan) and argyle socks.
Click the argyle socks for an interesting article on other fabrics and clothing articles named after their locations of origin.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
