The Turtleneck Edit
Eight high-neck jumpers that work for the office – plus the chic accompaniments to pair them with.
Apologies for the late send on this one. I’ve been down with a cold this weekend!
This week’s newsletter is devoted to the ‘turtleneck’. And just a disclaimer up top: I recognise that this word is an Americanism. I’m usually a bit of a pedant on this front (it felt very unnatural to have to write ‘sneakers’ at my old job), but in this case it’s one of those words that seems to have genuinely filtered into our day-to-day lexicon in the UK, and my non-British friends (the majority) seem to have no clue what I mean by ‘polo neck’. I’ll also be using it as a catch-all for mock necks, funnel necks, high necks ... Frankly, they’re all the same to me.
There’s something about this particular style that just feels innately cool and French (always positive). However, I’m also aware that a turtleneck jumper – a jumper in general – can be trickier to pull off in more rigid corporate settings where shirts and blazers are the norm. As a general rule, I don’t think it’s ever the goal to look ‘cosy’ in the sort of office where you’re billing by the hour, so I’d steer clear of anything that’s oversized or long or remotely duvet-like. Ditto for especially chunky cable knits or ribbed styles. (The Miranda Priestley ‘lumpy blue sweater’ speech always comes to mind…)
When in doubt, keep it sleek. Nothing too jazzy. The best fabrics you can afford. (Knitwear is one of those categories where quality really shows, and cashmere and merino wool will always be the gold standard.) I’d also be careful not to veer too clingy for obvious reasons, unless of course the plan is to layer it under a shirt, which in my view is the chicest thing you can do. (Leandra Medine Cohen did a fabulous newsletter on ‘shirt sandwiches’.)
Finally, my ultimate ‘styling’ tip with knits is just to take very good care of them – even your less expensive ones. The quickest way to make knitwear look crap is to (1) throw it in a washing machine (or, god forbid, a dryer) and (2) stash it away on a hanger (this actually makes me wince). I’m sure it doesn’t need to be said, but follow the instructions on the label, dry it flat if possible, and fold it away in a drawer. It’ll extend the life and maintain the shape and texture. I promise the faff is worth it.
Theory
£180
Following the event with Theory a couple weeks ago, I’m now the proud owner of two gorgeous cashmere knits from the brand. However, I’d also like to draw attention to their merino wool pieces, which ooze the same high-end feel for a pretty fair price. (The brand lets customers know exactly which farm in Australia its wool hails from and which mill in Italy it was spun in – this level of transparency should be the norm!) I’d pair this with a navy pinstripe trouser or skirt – see the one from Essential Antwerp below.
Toteme
£290
Given that several of Toteme’s pieces sell for four figures, £290 seems like a surprisingly good deal for a jumper, not least one made from a wool-silk blend. In my head, the brand sits in that same ultra-expensive quiet-luxe bracket as Khaite and The Row, but that’s basically a high-end high-street price, right? With black knits like this, I find the most foolproof way to style it is to just commit to a head-to-toe black outfit, which will instantly read as sophisticated. I absolutely love how they’ve dressed it up on Net-A-Porter (as always) – and how divine is that Wardrobe NYC skirt?
Frankie Shop
€139
Once again, I’m shouting out the stylist for drawing my attention to this jumper. Wearing your turtleneck unrolled like this is very Fashion Editor. Ditto the chunky earrings and the pale trousers. I don’t know why we all of a sudden feel like we have to clad ourselves in dark moody colours once it starts getting cold and dark. In my mind, cream and off-white knits look their most luxurious when layered with other cool neutral shades in winter.
Uniqlo
£24.90
I genuinely don’t know how I ever got through winter without Uniqlo’s Heattech thermals (I now own three). If you’re yet to be converted, I’d recommend this high-neck version, which looks its best when layered under a shirt of any hue – and allows you to wear your more lightweight pieces throughout autumn and winter. Uniqlo also offers something similar in cashmere but I just don’t think it’s possible to get that super-luxe feel at such a low-price point. Instead, I’d try Joseph’s options in cashmere or a silk-blend if your budget allows.
P.S. If anyone happens to know who works on Uniqlo’s e-commerce, please tell them to overhaul their website ASAP because it is completely unnavigable.
Cos
£95
There’s no doubt in my mind that Cos is by far the best brand on the high street, and it’s my go-to for more ‘affordable’ staples that I know will last, including knitwear. This would be my personal pick from their current collection – not hugely exciting, but I know I’d get tonnes of wear out of it. Also this is one of the rare instances where I would advise actually ignoring the laundry instructions. Just because a jumper can go in the washing machine doesn’t mean it should.
Rohé Frames
£460
Does this count as a turtleneck? Probably not, if we’re being pedantic, but in any case these scarf-neck knits are slowly becoming an obsession of mine. If Rohé Frames isn’t yet on your radar, it’s a highly underrated Dutch brand for those who like their clothes low-key and tasteful but not entirely boring. Take note also of this delicious slim-fit turtleneck which I’d pair with a chocolate brown trouser and layer under a crisp white poplin shirt.
Joseph
£98 (originally £245)
The bargain of the week is this 100% cashmere short-sleeve jumper from Joseph. Truth be told, if camel didn’t look horrid on me, it would be DHL-ing its way to my flat right now. It’s semi sheer, so one for layering underneath shirts and blouses when in a work setting – I’d try matching it with a camel or other warm-toned neutrals, and throwing in a navy or even a burgundy. The only bad news is that there are only XS and S sizes left, and stock is dwindling…
The Row
£1,710
It wouldn’t be Workwear Inc. without a little something from The Row – you know, for balance. For what it’s worth, I have found a couple brands that claim to be all about ‘luxury materials that speak for themselves’ to be utterly indistinguishable from Zara. The Row is not that – especially when it comes to knitwear. This jumper is a bit slouchier in shape than the others, so I’d really make sure your trouser pleats are extra crisp and your shoes are extra shiny (though if you’re rich enough to wear The Row, then go ahead and do as you please). I also appreciate the wider funnel neck as someone who loves the turtleneck look but finds anything too tight to be *overstimulating* after a few hours.
Plus, what to wear them with…
I don’t know much about Essential Antwerp but this skirt popped up online and my interest is officially piqued. On the whole, I am very pro-pinstripes as an office-friendly way to add a bit of pattern to your outfit – although I’d go for the jacket or the bottoms, not the whole suit. If you’re one of my corporate friends, please buy this and then send me pictures.
I’m on a personal mission to wear more bracelets because I think its very glamorous to be a woman who jangles. (Is this professional? I don’t care.) This chunky chain bracelet from Lié Studio is a recent addition to my Net-A-Porter wishlist.
The next WNU shirt on my list is this Boyfriend style with the exaggerated contrast cuff (it looks miles better on the model), which would go great over one of the finer knits. From experience, their Tencel feels great, looks expensive and is very washing-machine-friendly.
I thought I’d already featured these fabulous croc-effect Mary Jane flats from Aeyde, but I had not. I promise I’m not gatekeeping. This is how you do a ballet flat in a cool way! Now if Net-A-Porter would be so kind as to knock a couple hundred off the price for me…
Finally, I am highlighting these pleated trousers from Theory again (I promise I am not getting paid for this) because they really are that good. If it tells you anything, I’ve sent them to the dry cleaner’s twice since I acquired them just two weeks ago.