Turtleneck thoughts? - YouLookFab Forum

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Turtleneck thoughts?

Dee

Veteran

I tried on the featherweight wool turtleneck at JCrew today. It is super soft, has a great slouchy fit, and came in my favorite purple. The only problem was... it's a turtleneck. I was torn about it, so I left it in the store. I haven't worn turtlenecks since middle school and they have a very un-fab connotation for me. I can't remember the last I saw someone wearing one in my area, either.

I know Angie wears them and looks smashing. Who else here wears turtlenecks and what do you wear them with so they don't look frumpy? Or is anyone else considering one now that they seem to be current again, and how do you plan on styling it?

Featherweight merino wool boyfriend turtleneck sweater

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Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from debo

Diana

Veteran

I don't wear classic turtlenecks because I have tactile issues with tight things around my neck, and I have a short neck so they don't really look right on me, but I think they look very elegant on women with long necks like Angie.

Niki Lea

Veteran

Love them - I had a black one that used to wear all the time and I'm thinking of picking up another one. I've seen turtlenecks in a few fall capsules online, so I say go for it.

Gigi

Veteran

I would absolutely die without my turtlenecks. I don't think they ever go out of style. I wouldn't consider them frumpy unless they have some kind of pattern knit into them, like ribbing. I don't really style mine in any particular way, to be honest—I wear them with pants, skirts, jeans, pretty much anything. I have a long neck, and they look good on me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love turtlenecks; they're a wardrobe staple for me in our cold winters. But I have a long neck and short hair. That is what makes them both flattering and necessary. (If I don't have a turtleneck on in winter I pretty much have to wear a scarf to keep warm.)

Turtlenecks almost never look frumpy on those who have long necks and relatively small busts. The risks are greater if your neck is short or your bust is large.

I don't really think twice about styling mine. I own different kinds -- some more fitted, some a bit fluid, some oversized/ very fluid. I wear them like I'd wear any other pullover -- with jeans, trousers, skirts, and with a jacket or coat over top if required (which it usually is!) Sometimes a scarf on top also. That would be overkill for lots of people but I have the neck real estate.

I never knew they were "out" -- people around here wear them, I think? The truth is, I probably haven't noticed because I would be wearing them regardless.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I wore turtlenecks in some of my favorite winter outfits for a very long time and then gave them up as they weren't recommended for someone with a larger chest. A few years ago, I brought them back and am really happy that I did. I wear them either fitted under a jacket or a looser fit with trouser styled pants. I like the minimalistic look of a t-neck with a straight leg pant and a few accessories. I am not sure if my neck is long or not but the right fitting turtleneck can be flattering.

I have a more fitted one from last year (or the year before) and added a gap merino one this year.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I wear them, and I think the one you showed us is smashing - I'd probably give it a try myself if it wasn't wool. I especially like this one since it does not appear to be body-hugging. I'd wear it with jeans, cigarette pants, dress pants, and skirts. This one looks more fluid so I'd wear it with a little structure on the bottom. You could also pair it with a sleeveless blazer, or a long blazer/indoor coat for another layer on top.

JAileen

Veteran

I love them in winter, especially after my hair was cut much shorter. I've been told I have a long neck and I have a relatively small bust though, so that's probably why they work. I have loads of turtlenecks shirts, but I bought several turtleneck sweaters last year after one of Angie's posts on turtlenecks and pea coats. I think they work with all kinds of pants.

catgirl

Veteran

Short neck checking in - not a big fan, although I think I could pull off the right one. Like Diana, I feel choked with too much around my neck.

Dee

Veteran

Diana, I understand the neck constriction aspect! It wasn't uncomfortable, but I was definitely aware of it, and it would take some getting used to.

Suz, I generally just wear a lot of scarves in the winter. All winter I wonder how much of my lack of notice of turtlenecks is age related. I feel they definitely been trendy for my peer age bracket and I didn't really see any in stores last year, and I don't know a lot of classic minimalists my age either.

For everyone, I'm not surprised at the them looking better on people with long necks but I hadn't thought about small busts being a factor. I'm definitely in the small bust category. Now I guess the question is, how do you know if you have a long neck?

Elly

Veteran

I like turtlenecks (but have a fairly long neck and a big bust that is only mid-size on my frame -- I'm a 32 DD or DDD, but have broad shoulders and am 5'9"). My caveat is this ---- I think they look better in an interesting cut worn alone or with a scarf, or in a traditional cut worn with a jacket than I do when they are layered --- so in my climate this means I can wear them with a leather jacket I own or I need a fairly warm or thick one.

I own one think drapey one I wear alone or with my leather jacket. Despite basically being t-shirt weight I find that I wear it for a shorter portion of the year than I would a similar weight crew or boat neck.

Basically, I find them less seasonally versatile.

That said, I also go the other way and often don't buy many v-necks or scoop necks because I like them in warm weather fine BUT only wear them with a layer under or a scarf over in colder weather because my chest skin exposed chills me. So a scoop on a summer top is fine and it might transition, but a scoop on a late fall or winter top means I only wear it with a tee or blouse under or a scarf over.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Dee --

I wear turtlenecks, but only in very limited ways; I'm vastly allergic to the traditional prep look of turtlenecks under high contrast-colored sweaters (especially fair isle/patterned ones!).

But some of that has to do with style preferences, and some with preferences about how to dress my body type. I can't stand my turtlenecks ALL the way up my neck due to the sensory stuff others have mentioned, and I like them in monochromatic or low-contrast outfits.

I think if you're drawn to the slouchy (purple) turtleneck and can envision pairing it with things you like to wear, you should get it.

Even when they're on-trend, a turtleneck is inherently a classic or iconic item. I'd just find the icon that most appeals.

Photo 1-2: Classic 80s

Photo 3: [ETA/Fix: more adventurous, likely 70s]

Photo 4 - 6: My takes -- charcoal turtleneck sweaterdress with coated jeans; same with quilted black mid-thigh jacket; fitted Tneck for black on black

Photo 7-9: Beatniks; Beatles; Audrey

This post has 9 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

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Staysfit

Veteran

I love to wear turtlenecks. I have no idea if I look frumpy in then, but I have a long neck, so it's a good style for me. I typically pair them with jeans, a scarf or necklace, and tall boots.

JAileen

Veteran

In Vix's pictures, I love #3. I think it's from the early 70s because that's how I dressed in high school.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I like them best in a low contrast outfit, especially long trousers and boots.

Vix

Veteran

[JAileen -- I screwed uploads up -- I agree, sometime in the 70s (or someone doing a retro look...will edit now...thx!)]

Aziraphale

Veteran

To my eye, turtlenecks look fabulous on slender women with smallish breasts, especially if they have delicate shoulders and a long neck. I don't have particularly small boobs or a long neck, so I don't think I'd look great in one. But the bigger issue is the comfort factor. I used to have to wear them as a child, and I always felt like I was choking. I don't think I've worn one since I was about 12.

I think black turtlenecks look particularly good on those who wear them.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

It's funny how we perceive clothes, I've spent the whole week in just jeans, booties, one scarf and selection of my black turtlenecks. I felt so relieved I can finally wear them again, and that feeling alone made me happy I had no need or desire to reach for anything else.

In fact, my limited clothing budget right now includes 1-2 new black turtlenecks!

My gut reaction to your post is if something has bad connotations for you, just leave it for a bit longer... or leave it out of your wardrobe completely.

For me, turtlenecks are must haves. I don't think I could survive winter without them. First and foremost, the practical part of me loves that they keep me warm. The irrational side of me knows I have long neck, which is why I love how turtlenecks make me feel like my neck/head is supported. Strange, I know

Finally, the fabberista(?) in me (can that be a word? "fashionista" is totally unsuitable to describe why I'm on YLF) sticks to things that simply work for me and give me the freedom I'm after lately - proven formulas which don't recognise compromises or lack of comfort, and are also perfect building blocks for the basic outfits/silhouettes that are most me.

Dee

Veteran

Elly, the seasonality is a good point. I do wear a lot of scarves over my scoop and v-neck tops in the winter so the turtleneck gets points for not needing that. But I can see not wanting to wear it when it's warm-ish out, either. I like the idea of the leather jacket!

Vix, I love your take on it! You look streamlined and modern. I think my mental image is closer to 2/3, or the layered look with another sweater that I wore in my childhood, which are not necessity bad, but don't fit with my style. Your own stylings make much more sense to me.

Aziraphale, I think we have the same mental picture and turtleneck history. Glad I'm not the only one! A neutral might be the way to go, but I do need a little more color in my wardrobe. Hmm.

And thanks Columbine and Staysfit for the styling suggestions!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, and they look great under a puffy vest!

How do you know you have a long neck? It looks long! You can measure, of course, but often you can just tell, looking at someone.

Here's a photo of Angie in a crew neck. See how slender and long her neck looks there?

And here she is in a big funnel neck. This kind of sweater comes halfway up some people's chins! But on her, it seems easy to wear.

And here is a more classic t-neck.

Again, even that style would be too high for some necks, but you can still see her neck above the fabric here.

She has a particularly long and slender neck and she also has a smallish head for her height and a delicate facial structure. So it all works together. But you don't have to be as long necked as she is to look good in one. The thing is, I suspect this style simply FEELS better to those with longer necks; if you have a long neck it does not feel choking unless it is miles too small.

Sal

Veteran

I have one, a black merino.

I wear it either solo with classic work trousers and ankle boots or heels for simple no fuss look. I like this for some work meetings and school meetings. I think I will always wear some variation of this look, it works in our climate.

I also wear it under wool coats watching sports events.

Mine is a tailored fit and I think it is not my most flattering look but not my worst either.

I was keen to get a cream one this winter with a looser fit to wear with jeans. But I never did. At the moment mine does not feel right with jeans but this is because I am wearing looser tops with jeans right now.

I see them as a classic.

Dee

Veteran

Ornella, you make a lot of good points. I try not to omit options as a matter of course, so isn't the first time I've considered buying something I never thought I'd wear (harem pants, anyone?). I mostly want to think it over and see if it might work for me now in a way I would t in the past. I just have trouble visualizing whether it's a good get for me or not, so I appreciate everyone's thoughts and styling suggestions.

Suz, ha! I just need to find a measuring tape, clearly. But I think I'm somewhere in the middle. Not short but not very long either. The point about feeling choked, even if it's not necessarily physically doing so, is an interesting one.

Kiwigal, I hear you on the fluid fits! I doubt I'd even be considering a body con version because I'm loving these looser tops.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I approach turtlenecks with caution. For one thing, I have a large chest (30E) and an average length neck, so right there I am not the prime candidate for flattery. The other thing that is starting to be an issue is my jawline. Darn heredity, I'm getting jowls, and turtlenecks tend to draw attention to that. The flip side of the coin is that they hide my increasingly crepey neck. Yeesh, you'd think I was a lot older, worrying about those things before 50, but that's the part of me that is showing age first.

All that said, I did just but that very turtleneck in navy. I'll probably wear it layered under jackets, and I had my plaid pants in mind when I bought it.
I like the easy updates fit, which seems to minimize the bust issue.

lisaflex

Veteran

i wear them. even if not always looking the sleekest. i have a beautiful black one and a brown one from chicos (the nicer pricier ones) and i do have a D chest. i wear them with fur-like vests and jeans.
it is cold here in cleveland in the winter months!
scarves add a nice touch too.
or an open type vest with a long necklace with some fun detail work too

Em J M

Such an Audrey Hepburn effect....

Deb

Veteran

I'm a big fan of turtle necks in winter. I have several cashmere ones, one in light grey, off white, bone, two black ones, red and navy. Also two cable knit, one white and a light blue one, and a ribbed taupe one.They are easy to mix and match with pants, cords, jeans, skirts and under shift dresses, tunics, vests, jackets and coats. Warm and flattering, except on wide or particularly short necks and very big busts, turtlenecks are a must have winter wardrobe item for me and I've never considered them out of style. Even if they were, I'd wear them regardless for warmth. You can roll the neck over more times to make them shorter or add a scarf or stand out necklace to break up the line for some variation.

Astrid

Veteran

I'm a fan too! I think I've always had at least one turtleneck in my wardrobe. In fact I have a new one on order right now, in a burgundy. I don't think I have a long neck; not a short one either though. But I do have a small bust. Compared to many on this thread I like to have something around my neck. I find it comforting, instantly cozy and comfortable.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Dee, I was reading a few blogs and came across this piece about wearing turtlenecks so thought I would come back and share.

http://www.refinery29.com/fall.....4#slide-21

Dawn

I have always worn turtlenecks all winter. I looked back at my outfit photos and it looks like I wear them most often under a v-neck sweater, especially if the sweater is the least bit scratchy. I also wear them with scarves.

Dee

Veteran

Dianthus, thanks so much for the link! It's always nice to have the visuals.

I'm surprised at the number of people who wear scarves with turtlenecks, but it would break/change things up. And I do wear a lot of scarves anyway.

I actually found an amazing sweater dress that has a turtleneck which somehow seemed much less traditional and more appealing than the JCrew one to me, so I'm making progress.

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