The turtleneck is a very contested article of clothing. It often does not invoke fond memories. It’s the thing your parents forced you to wear on holidays, causing you to spend the entirety of holiday dinners scratching your neck. I have learned through many passionate turtleneck debates that it’s tough to convince people who don’t like things touching their neck to sport one. Yet here I am, trying.
Turtlenecks are not created equally. You can have your pick of a variety of fabrics and styles for various occasions. You have your thinner, slimmer turtlenecks — good for layering and those atypical, slightly warmer winter days, and then your thicker cable-knit turtlenecks for sub-zero temperatures.
Should You Be Dressing Like a Sexy Fisherman?
Featuring — you guessed it — fisherman sweatersBut most importantly, the turtleneck is sexy, which I’m sure sounds like an oxymoron.
Typically, I’m encouraging you to bear more: More thigh, more chest hair, more emotion. I’ve even pinpointed the sexiest accessory you, a man, can adorn because it draws attention to your most attractive assets — neck, collarbone and chest — three body parts blatantly concealed by the turtleneck.
This specific garment is less what’s under that cashmere and more let’s discuss Proust while we walk through a courtyard as the crisp, colorful autumn leaves or white winter snow fall around us (preferably without all the mansplaining, but that’s a choice unto you). The turtleneck invokes a sophisticated, smart style and transforms almost any cold-weather outfit without much work on your part. Its elongated silhouette is flattering to all body types, it accentuates another attractive component of your face (the jawline) and just about every cool guy in history has been spotted wearing (and looking utterly divine) in one. All you really have to do now is get over your fear of fabric hugging your neck. Oh, and shop some of my favorite styles below.
Not sure how to rock the turtleneck this fall and winter? Consult our turtleneck sweater-wearing guide for tips on how to wear the super versatile garment with jeans, blazers, formalwear and more.
The Best Chunky Turtlenecks
The Best Lightweight Turtlenecks
The Best Mock Neck Turtlenecks
If you really can’t deal with the neck-hugging, try J. Crew’s iconic cotton roll-neck sweater. While it’s only half a turtleneck, it’s still got full turtleneck vibes.
The Best Affordable Turtlenecks
Meet your guide
More Like This
This article appeared in an InsideHook newsletter. Sign up for free to get more on travel, wellness, style, drinking, and culture.
