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Often written off as dowdy or twee, turtlenecks deserve a reappraisal. Particularly during winter’s frostiest days, roll-neck sweaters are undoubtedly a wardrobe MVP. Those high necklines not only eliminate the need for scarves, they effortlessly fill the gap left by a shirt and tie—making them an especially handy solution to work-from-home attire. Fine-gauge or chunky, wool or cashmere, turtlenecks are a fast pass to cold-weather chic.
As to the style’s sex appeal, look no further than Steve McQueen and James Bond (who has sported a roll-neck on screen numerous times, from You Only Live Twice to Spectre). Both menswear icons provide useful examples of how to wear turtlenecks with swagger. McQueen favored thickly ribbed knits—a sportier, hard-wearing style ideal for motorcycling. 007, in his many guises, often wore thinner, more fitted models. Even if you don’t have a secret agent’s physique, a finely-knit turtleneck makes a flattering base layer for everything from tailored suits to denim truckers.
We’ve pored over the many options available to pick nine of the best to buy now.
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Ami de Couer Turtleneck Sweater
Image Credit: MyTheresa With all the dark gray, navies and blacks that dominate cold-weather attire, any pop of color is welcomed. Ami answers that call with a slouchy wool sweater with bold blocks of color. Pro tip: To nail the Parisian brand’s je ne sais quoi, leave the collar unrolled.
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Anderson & Sheppard Merino Boat Builder Roll Neck
Image Credit: Anderson & Sheppard Anderson & Sheppard looked to the traditional Irish knitters of Inis Meain to produce this luxed-up take on a classic fisherman sweater. It’s true to the styles worn by Steve McQueen, with a roomy silhouette and sporty ribs. Take a cue from the King of Cool and pair it with well-worn jeans and boots.
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Bottega Veneta Turtleneck
Image Credit: Bottega Veneta For the most part, turtlenecks tend to be pretty minimal. But Bottega Veneta makes a case for bolder knits, adorning this roomy, drop-shouldered sweater with graphic intarsia stripes recalling vintage ski gear.
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N. Peal Fisherman Rib Cashmere Sweater
Image Credit: N. Peal N. Peal has outfitted James Bond with a number of roll-necks (and other luxe knits), which are all perfectly nice but we’re particularly fond of this non-007 variant in organic cashmere. The thick ribbing, navy and Wedgewood blue combo and gently rolled collar add up to a sweater that’s subtle but distinctive.
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NN07 Stein Turtleneck Sweater
Image Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue A fresh take on traditional Fair Isle knits, this wool-blend NN07 number renders the folksy pattern with a light hand. It’ll add a dose of Alpine chic to off-duty denim and workboots, regardless of your proximity to a chalet.
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Sunspel Fine Merino Wool Roll Neck Sweater
Image Credit: Sunspel On the other end of the turtleneck spectrum, a fine gauge Merino wool sweater is ideal for layering with suits. The lighter-weight fabric has a more formal attitude and won’t add bulk beneath a tailored jacket. That said, it would look equally cool with a leather jacket.
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Thom Browne Cashmere Aran Cable Turtleneck
Image Credit: Thom Browne Traditional cable knits tend to be lumpy—aka not so flattering. Thom Browne solves that problem with a slightly cropped, tailored cut. With a buttoned hem and high waistline, it’s begging to be paired with a pair of high-waisted flannel trousers.
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Todd Snyder Cashmere Turtleneck
Image Credit: Todd Snyder The Goldilocks of turtlenecks, this one features plush Italian cashmere that’s thick enough to be insulating on its own but thin enough to easily be layered. Scoring even more points for versatility, the deep burgundy color plays well with tans, grays, navy blues and browns.
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Vince Plush Cashmere Convertible Turtleneck
Image Credit: Vince A close cousin of the turtleneck, funnel-neck sweaters like this one are essentially roll-necks without the roll. That seemingly small detail gives this sweater a more rugged appeal that, combined with mid-weight cashmere and a neutral grey hue, makes it a winter wardrobe workhorse.
