We have splendid news in the fashion world. Indeed, I feel it could scarcely be better. You see, argyle has joined the ranks of making a fashion comeback. To us die-hard argyle lovers, this pattern needs no introduction. That pattern of diamonds in a diagonal checkerboard arrangement has bunked out in our sweater drawer for years. In fact, we regard those diamonds as dear woven gems.

Just the other day I drew open my sweater drawer to retrieve one of my favorite argyle sweaters. It has tones of muted lavender, kissed lightly by specks of orange. The green diamonds look like the hills of Ireland on an overcast day. Residing with these two charmers are diamonds of pure navy, warm gratifying grey, and a mollifying heather blue. The overlapping top stitch diamonds flourish in two tones – oatmeal and claret, the color of a pleasant holly berry.

Argyle has the comfort of a good book, the warmth of hot tea, and a purely classic sporty look. It is probably why the late golfing champion, Payne Stewart, engaged argyle in his sporty colorful dress. Recalling his presence on TV almost instantly attracted me to golf. He wore tams and sported cool knickers with argyle socks. In fact, I was so inspired I signed up for golf lessons at the Rugby Country Club. When instructor, Ken Dodd, asked what we wanted out of the class my list was as follows: 150 yards down the middle and all the Payne Stewart fashions my closet can hold! Golf attire sporting purple and orange argyle – now this is the only fairway to putt around!

The argyle pattern is derived from the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in Western Scotland. Once in a while, you will see argyle spelled in this manner. While traveling in England, I had the pleasure of taking in a tartan talk. The proud history behind these tartans is amazing and interesting.

Just to watch sports teams play for the sport of it really doesn’t thrill me. Should I be admitting this? Well, for me there is one exception to this rule – that is North Dakota Class B Boys Basketball. When those games are played, eyeballs are glued to the screen and colors take second place. Now for me to be involved in sports, it had better have color and coaches that know how to dress up! First thing to check out the coach’s tie. It will either make or break the game in my book! March Madness never meant anything to me until I heard that the North Carolina Tar Heels legendary coach, Dean Smith, asked esteemed designer Alexander Julian to design new uniforms for the Tar Heels.

Designer Alexander Julian is the only designer I know who has received a Pinnacle Award for furniture design and also the coveted Coty Award for fashion design five times before he was 30! He is one of my favorite designers because of his rich jewel-tone color palette and his deep love of argyle. Julian has shared that when Coach Smith asked him to design a new uniform that Smith gave him the biggest design challenge of his life. He is quoted as saying, “To have Dean Smith call you and ask for a new uniform for the Tar Heels was like having God ask for new halos for the archangels.” He was also raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, so if he wanted to come home again, this had to be impressive.

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) gives four inches on the side of the uniform to decorate. Julian relied on his faithful friend, the argyle, to help him make a slam dunk. First glance at the redesigned uniform, and we argyle fans are indisputably smitten. Tar Heel players proudly wear their rich argyle designs down the sides of their jerseys. Even the UNC men’s ping-pong team has embraced the argyle pattern on the sides of their uniforms.

My interest in sports started with color. While growing up in Underwood, we were known as the Comets, and our colors were purple and white – pure purple! Underwood was home to some very serious purple passion fans. When it came time to carpet my bedroom, purple was first on my list. However, my parents had other ideas. Do you know what it is like to have a purple birthday cake Wow! It was for this reason that I became a Minnesota Vikings fan, and I have also recruited Lydia (next to pink, purple rules!). Speaking of rules, we are still working to figure out what all the hand signals and signs mean, but as long as they sport purple, we will give them a cheer!

This weekend while the Minnesota Vikings take on New Orleans, we will be watching in our living room. First we will notice the color purple. Next, the amazing moves of Brett Favre and the proficient steering of Coach Brad Childress. We will also be looking where a bit of purple and yellow argyle can be incorporated because no uniform should be without argyle. I would suggest using Luxelle, the knit blend of polyester and spandex in their new uniforms as it is fluid, fabulous, and free of wrinkles just like a good football game. I do want to go on record as saying “there is not one sport that can’t be improved with the look of argyle.” After all there is nothing like being point sharp and using repetitive plays that work!

I share with you a recipe that is perfect for football game watching. It comes from the Hole in One Recipes cookbook compiled by the Tioga Country Club (where I’m sure argyle will be seen). We received this cookbook as a wedding gift, and the giver politely starred the recipes she enjoyed. This is one of them.

Repnow is a

Rugby resident.