How To Wear a Turtleneck: 52 Winter Style Inspirations

As the cooler weather continues to roll in, it is time to start bringing some of your winter wardrobe to the forefront of your mind and your closet. Obviously, your winter coats are helpful in regulating your body temperature when you are outside, but what about keeping warm inside as well?

Thicker clothing and extra layers, such as sweaters, vests, and turtlenecks manufactured in warmer fabrics such as wool, corduroy, and cashmere are essential to keeping you toasty and stylish as you navigate through these next few months. 

1. Business Casual

Keeping a neutral color palette with your wardrobe, such as black jeans, a black turtleneck, and black leather oxfords, and then throwing on a gray peacoat or trench can keep your look simple, yet classic and elegant. However, taking this exact look and pairing it with some Jordans or Timberlands shows that you still have streetwear sensibilities.

If you tend to rock your own form of suiting with ankle pants, a blazer or bomber, and a button up shirt, simply switching out your shirt for a turtleneck not only keeps you warm but also elevates your style. Not everyone can pull off a turtleneck, but I’m telling you, you just did. And you did it well.

2. Casual

Joggers are here to stay and honestly, we should all be grateful. They are comfortable, stylish, cool, and can be dressed up or down. A gray tweed jogger with a tucked-in black turtleneck in a lighter fabric, and a pair of clean, white low tops is the perfect day look for running a few errands or meeting friends for lunch. Comfy, casual, and warm. What more can you ask for?

3. Coat

Typically, if it’s cold enough for a turtleneck, it’s probably cold enough for a coat as well. A short puffer works for when it’s chilly enough to see your breath. Wearing a wool trench or peacoat might not be as warm, but when worn with tailored pants (extra points for a pattern) and a merino wool turtleneck, your snazzy style will warm you up and will have you turning heads as you quickly get down the street to where you are going. Now hurry up and get inside where it’s warm!

4. Jacket and Turtleneck

If the weather is not quite as bone-chilling, a denim jacket is never the wrong answer. It can be dressed up or down. Dark indigo looks best with dressier styles while chambray is more casual. Wear jeans (denim or black) and substitute your favorite t-shirt for your favorite turtleneck to take your style to the next level. Chukka boots or Oxfords are the perfect way to add extra pizazz to your already super stylish look.

5. Knit Wear

You had me at cable knit… you’re in Aspen and it’s time for apres ski. You’re wearing a pair of chestnut brown corduroys with a slightly looser fit that feels so soft against your skin while keeping you at the perfect temperature. You throw on a beige oversized cable knit turtleneck and thick, fuzzy socks before heading downstairs to enjoy your well-deserved hotty toddy next to the fire.

You look so cozy, everyone is asking “where did you get that turtleneck?” Normally, you would tell anyone who compliments your clothing where they could also get the same garment, but not this time. Not this turtleneck. This secret dies with you.

6. Street Style

Street style seems to speak the loudest when worn with confidence. Whether you are wearing a thin cotton navy turtleneck with jeans and high tops or an oxblood merino wool turtleneck tucked into tailored ankle-length houndstooth trousers and velvet loafers as you strut around town, wear your turtleneck proudly and everyone will be jealous of how great you look and how warm you are. 

7. Suit

Substituting your typical white or blue button-up for a turtleneck is an easy way to up your style game. This switch-a-roo has many perks, including not having to wear a tie, not having to tuck in your shirt which also means not having to wear a belt. That’s right – you get to look super dapper in your black turtleneck and camel-colored cross-hatched suit while also being incredibly cozy and comfortable. 

8. Turtle Neck with Blazer

A well-fitting and well-made blazer takes just about any look to the next level. Your gray tweed joggers and black turtleneck look from earlier? Adding a black or gray blazer keeps the look casual, yet elevated. It works the same with your monochromatic black jeans and turtleneck combo. A gray striped blazer and velvet loafers give the appearance that you are spending your hard-earned income in all the right ways. You might even trick a few people into thinking you have your life together.

9. Vintage Fashion

If the whole vintage thing is more your vibe, don’t worry. You can wear turtlenecks too. Take your brown suspender pants and try a thin cotton black turtleneck, tucked in, with red suspenders and a pageboy hat and there will be no denying that you also enjoy distilling whiskey and reading a real newspaper, and drinking out of a mason jar while simultaneously playing the mandolin. Or, take a page out of your grandpa’s book and unabashedly wear straight leg, wide-ribbed cropped. brown plaid pants with a cream turtleneck and a 70s brown wide-ribbed corduroy blazer. Thanks, granddad!

10. Winter

The secret to dressing for winter is a simple one: wear clothes that keep you warm. Genius. A turtleneck is a great start. Choose one constructed from a slightly thicker and warmer material, add pants, and a warm jacket. Viola!

If ankle pants are your thing, even in cold weather, hopefully, the warmth from the rest of your body keeps your ankles warm, but if not, a pair of Dr. Martens or Thursday Morning boots should keep your feet warm and dry and you slosh through the wet, winter snow on your way to work, meetings, drinks, dinner, or running errands.