The winter fashion staple loved by royals and the A-list – and it costs £16
If you’re bored to the back teeth of wrapping up in chill-busting chunky jumpers and puffers, consider a fresh approach to mid-winter layering: the turtleneck.
We’re not talking chubby knits that swallow your chin. Rather, fine-gauge tops in insulating fabrics that offer a streamlined solution to keeping warm and will update your cold-weather staples to boot.
Cat Deeley has the right idea. The glossy midlife TV presenter recently wore a chocolate brown turtleneck from Mango tucked into a herringbone midi skirt to stylish effect.
While the £15.99 style is currently sold out, you’ll find a merino lookalike for under £40 from chic thermals label Dilling.
Turtlenecks have the royal seal of approval, too. For her first public appearance of the New Year, the Princess of Wales wore a burgundy style from Scottish cashmere label Kiltane. Teamed with a coordinating midi skirt and Blazé Milano tartan coat, it was a lesson in how to stay warm and look smart – undoubtedly one of the trickiest dress codes to master.
In fact turtlenecks are somewhat of a style signature for the royal who has often worn them with both formal tailored separates and casual outfits. She first wore her burgundy Kiltane knit layered under a red Alexander McQueen coat at the England Rugby League World Cup quarter-final in 2022, then again the following year under Hobbs’s brown Celeste coat.
Although such wear-again versatility warrants the £129 price tag (as does the butter-soft texture, thanks to being made from premium quality Mongolian cashmere), you needn’t spend a lot to buy into the look; the high street excels in this winter basic.
With minus temperatures forecast for the forthcoming New York Fashion Week, every editor I know is stocking up on Uniqlo’s Heattech turtlenecks (£19.90, uniqlo.com) to slip under their new season blazers and trench coats. With a hint of cashmere they deliver on a luxurious look and feel and come in a selection of stylish colours, including burgundy.
Marks and Spencer’s merino turtlenecks (£35, marksandspencer.com) are slim enough to layer beneath gilets and tuck into waistbands without adding bulk.
When it comes to colour, be wary of black which can be harsh when worn so close to the face – not to mention potentially make you look like you’re in Steve Jobs cosplay. Olive green, mid grey, camel and cream are softer on the complexion and still easy to mix with winter neutrals. If in doubt, go for a tonal approach by layering similar colours together.
However, don’t be afraid to go bright: “I definitely gravitate towards a citrus yellow, too. Sometimes a pop of neon makes the world of difference when you’re styling up an outfit. I love it with shades like forest green and brown,” says stylist and fashion influencer Erica Davies.
A keen fan of turtleneck layering, Davies’s go-to brands are H&M and Cos. The latter’s super-fine merino knit in sage green (£55, cos.com) is just the ticket for giving dark office suiting a springy feel. Or layer it underneath your navy and grey wool dresses for a hint of cheering colour.
If your rotation of jumpers and jeans is feeling stale, a turtleneck is a quick styling trick to switch things up: “This season I am wearing them under slouchy crew neck jumpers in contrast colours with the jumper sleeves rolled up slightly. And I always love them layered under a sleeveless knit, with a long wool coat,” says Davies.
V-necks are making a comeback this season, so dust yours off and wear it atop Whistles’ second-skin cotton turtleneck (£59, whistles.com) for an artfully layered look. Or layer Jigsaw’s wool jersey turtleneck (£69, jigsaw-online.com) under a shirt – cotton or denim – leaving the top couple of buttons undone.
The mix of textures immediately adds outfit-elevating interest.
And for dinner, team your slinky turtleneck with a pair of satin evening trousers, adding sparkle by way of a cocktail necklace. There’s truly a turtleneck for every occasion, so you can have your glamour fix with a side of cosy this season.
