We’ll give it to you straight: Turtlenecks are still in style and very much a wardrobe mainstay. They’re particularly useful for layering in cold weather, or to add polish and elevate your suiting at the office. While they may not be in accordance with your aesthetic (at least not historically), allow us to introduce you to some brands and iterations that may help you make a change. Sisters and fashion entrepreneurs Shelcy and Christy Joseph have recently warmed up to the idea of turtlenecks, welcoming the wardrobe shift. “As people who didn’t always wear turtlenecks (confession: we used to associate them too much with the stereotypical ‘tech bro’) we’ve grown to like how effective the right ones are,” they tell InStyle. Rest assured, their shopping suggestions feel highly considered.
Meanwhile, many of us have been longtime turtleneck wearers, frequently layering them under cardigans and skirt sets to achieve a preppy vibe, as well as depending on them for a color pop. Stylists Corina Gaffey and Tracy Shapoff both recommend Wolford bodysuits for that function, and author and fashion savant Zeena Shah specifies that she pays careful attention to the size of the neck of her sweater upon purchasing. “I like a shorter neck or to double fold mine inside so they have a smoother shape,” she says. So you see, we all have reliable methods of wearing turtlenecks that stand the test of time. All of this is to say that they’re most definitely foundational basics you should always keep in rotation.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the 20 best turtlenecks available now after sorting through customer reviews and reading the fine print. So, if you’re a turtleneck newbie, you can be sure you’ve got the best designs at your fingertips to choose from. And if you’re a veteran in this category, make sure you’ve tried out these go-to labels that have been referenced by experts.
Best Overall
Everlane Cotton Turtleneck
What We Love: The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification takes over a year to account for every step of production, which means the piece garners better conditions for the planet as it’s made.
What We Don’t Love: Some customers say the fabric is thin and stretches out of shape.
Noted by Gaffey and the Joseph sisters as a go-to for turtlenecks, Everlane makes this affordable layering piece that’s made from an organic waffle-knit fabric sourced from Portugal. It’s available in all-neutral colorways, including white and striped, though there’s unfortunately no black iteration currently available. Tuck it into a pair of high-waisted pants or jeans — it’s thin enough to wear as a layering piece or a standalone top.
Size: XXS–XL| Material: Organic cotton | Fit: Oversized
Best Budget
Time and Tru Knit Turtleneck
What We Love: The low price point in must-have neutrals and colors, including red, which is on-trend this year.
What We Don’t Love: Reviewers report the sizing and color shown are off.
A best-seller on Walmart’s site, you won’t see a price lower than this for a great ribbed turtleneck that will become a crucial layering piece in your wardrobe. Offered in sizes up to XXXL, it’s also versatile in that the turtleneck is fold-over, plus it’s machine washable, so you can easily wear it on repeat throughout the week.
Size: XS–XXXL| Material: Rayon, polyester | Fit: Relaxed
Best Splurge
Acne Studios Turtleneck Top
What We Love: It’s a glamorous statement piece sure to bring in compliments at events and parties.
What We Don’t Love: There's limited sizing, and it must be dry cleaned.
Gaffey loves Acne Studios for interesting patterns and fabrics. It's definitely a splurge — but for good reason. This sensual piece is made from crinkled satin and is an automatic conversation starter. Wear it with denim for a more casual look or a matching satin skirt for a formal occasion.
Size: EU32–EU40 | Material: Nylon | Fit: Slim
Best on Amazon
Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Long-Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater
What We Love: The style comes in 21 colors and prints and has thousands of positive reviews.
What We Don’t Love: Reviewers say the material is cheap and is quick to pill or wrinkle.
This affordable turtleneck boasts a classic fit and has subtle ribbing at the neck and cuffs. It comes in a close and comfortable silhouette that can help you achieve a sophisticated look with ease. Customers appreciate it most for the weight of the fabric, which is light enough for layering and can be tucked in, but heavy enough for warmth. Of course, the color options and prints are also a major bonus.
Size: XS–6X | Material: Cotton, modal, polyester | Fit: Classic
Best Cropped
& Other Stories Mock Neck Sweater
What We Love: The mockneck provides a modern twist and doesn’t take away from an earring moment.
What We Don’t Love: Some reviews report the fabric is scratchier than expected.
This mock-neck sweater is unique in that it doesn’t rise quite as high, and there are drop shoulders for a more relaxed feel. With a ribbed neckline, cuffs, and hem, it will also bring dimension to your look, and customers report they really love the length when it comes to teaming up with a favorite pair of pants or skirts. Shah touts & Other Stories as a go-to brand for turtlenecks.
Size: XS–L | Material: Polyester, acrylic, wool, spandex | Fit: Straight
Best for Layering
COS Turtleneck Top
What We Love: The raw edges give it a unique, minimalist feel.
What We Don’t Love: Customers say the fabric is too sheer, like mesh.
This turtleneck is offered in many color options, some of which are currently on sale. Being that it’s thin, it’s perfect for traveling if you’ll be moving around a lot, and it’s machine washable, so you can even run it through a cycle of laundry when you’re on the go. Gaffey thinks of Cos as a layering brand, especially when it comes to turtlenecks.
Shah shops them frequently for all Merino wool — the fabric is certified by the Responsible Wool Standard to protect the sheep and their environment throughout production.
Size: XS–L | Material: Merino wool | Fit: Slim
Best Fitted
Nili Lotan Lynnette Turtleneck
What We Love: It’s perfectly slim-fitting for layering, styling under a blazer, or tucking into your waistband.
What We Don’t Love: There's a limited size range, and there are only a couple of color options to choose from, making for a narrow selection.
Favored and worn by the Joseph sisters, Nili Lotan is a chic luxury brand that makes a superb fitted turtleneck, especially if you’re looking to team one with a low-rise skirt or pants to bear a hint of midriff. The Lynnette is ultra-chic and will certainly elevate your wardrobe, while also providing the comfort that comes with wearing a piece that’s 100 percent cashmere.
Size: XS–XL | Material: Cashmere | Fit: Slim
Best T-Shirt
Uniqlo Turtleneck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
What We Love: There's a wide size range.
What We Don’t Love: Customers report the quality has dwindled through the years and wish there were more color options.
Most customers are blown away by Uniqlo’s heat tech (including Shah, who highly recommends the line and says her own turtlenecks have lasted her for years), which keeps you warm without adding bulk to your look. As always, we love that the brand showcases styling examples for its shoppers on the product page, but it’s easy to tell that this piece can be paired with pants and skirts alike. While there’s no dark brown shade, the white, black, and beige colors are sure to be classic staples in your wardrobe for years to come.
Size: XXS–XXL | Material: Acrylic, rayon | Fit: Relaxed
Best Bodysuit
Wolford Colorado Body
What We Love: The fabric is dyed sustainably.
What We Don’t Love: The high price point for a bodysuit.
“Not often known for turtlenecks, I invested in a Wolford bodysuit with a turtleneck, and it’s my favorite piece to layer under sleeveless dresses when I want more coverage: jumpsuits, blazers or cardigans when I need another cozy layer to battle the elements,” says Gaffey, who touts the brand for its well-made pieces. Shapoff has also found similar success with Wolford.
This seamless bodysuit is a current best-seller on the site, offered in six shades that come in the brand’s signature opaque circular knit material with a subtle sheen. With a snap closure, it’s made for easy-on, easy-off dressing. We only wish it was offered in a wider range of sizes.
Size: XS-L | Material: Cotton, polyamide, elastane | Fit: Slim, Brazilian-cut
Best Oversized
H&M Oversized Turtleneck Sweater
What We Love: The slits at the sides make it movable and it’s long, like a tunic, for wearing with leggings.
What We Don’t Love: Not all the colors are offered in extended sizes, and many of them are sold out.
This oversized knit is the type you never want to take off, and it’s made with slits at the sides and a V-shape opening at the back of the neck, which brings it even more functionality. “I recently invested in an oversized black turtleneck from H&M that is like a hug in a sweater, and I wear it with everything from jeans to sequin skirts,” Gaffey says. Pair this one with baggy cargo pants and flats or a miniskirt, high socks, and loafers.
Size: XS–4XL | Material: Polyester, acrylic, wool | Fit: Oversized
Best Wool
Arket Merino Wool Roll-Neck
What We Love: The thumb holes at the end of the sleeves make it feel unique.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not offered in extended sizing.
With a price point under $100 and a sustainability tag, this wool turtleneck gets our vote as a winner. Gaffey says she usually shops Arket for oversized styles, but this fitted design comes in so many neutral tones, that it’s a must-have for layering. Shah is also a fan. Offered in more intriguing neutrals such as pale yellow and burgundy, it’s in keeping with this season’s trends. Plus, it’s made with wool fiber from farms independently certified to animal welfare and land management requirements.
Size: XS–L | Material: Wool | Cut: Slim
Best Cashmere
J.Crew Turtleneck Sweater
What We Love: One customer reviewed the cashmere as signature J.Crew quality.
What We Don’t Love: Lots of sizes are nearly out of stock, which is a bummer during the fall and winter months.
J.Crew’s cashmere turtleneck, suggested by Gaffey, Shapoff, and the Josephs, is certified to AbTF’s The Good Cashmere Standard, meaning that the welfare of cashmere goats, natural resources, and working conditions are up to standards during the production process. The piece comes in a relaxed fit and in major colorways such as black, charcoal, and cream, while also offered in punchier hues like neon berry red and blade green that you can monogram.
We recommend wearing it as part of a monochrome outfit, opting for a slightly different fabric for your bottom. Consider a satin maxi skirt or twill trousers, for example, and finish with a playfully embellished shoe.
Size: XXXS–3X | Material: Cashmere | Fit: Relaxed
Best Black
Nanushka Satin Turtleneck Top
What We Love: A satin draped turtleneck like this one is a classic every year during the holidays, so you’ll get lots of wear and you don’t have to retire it for going out of style.
What We Don’t Love: There's no extended sizing.
Gaffey recommends Nanushka as a contemporary brand that offers beautiful silhouettes, and this one is no exception. We love how the styling advice is to team it with a matching pair of satin pants, but it would work just as well played up by leather, or even denim. With slits at the hip for movement and an effortlessly folded neckline, this piece will evoke high-octane glamour in your wardrobe for years to come.
Size: XXS–XL | Material: Triacetate/polyester | Fit: Slim
Best for Work
Tory Burch Turtleneck
What We Love: The ribbed detailing doesn’t take away from the comfort or style of a 100 percent Merino wool item. In fact, it makes it even more versatile for dressing up or down.
What We Don’t Love: There's no extended sizing.
The Joseph sisters love Tory Burch for knits, and adding some dimension with stripes for the office can be a nice update to your go-to trousers. In a fitted silhouette ideal for tucking in or layering, you’ll immediately consider this top an essential perfect for packing on trips or adding dimension to your look.
Size: XS–XL | Material: Merino wool | Fit: Fitted
Best Plus-Size
A New Day Turtleneck Pullover Sweater
What We Love: The low price point and wide range of sizes.
What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t come in black.
We absolutely love the abundance of colorways and low price point here. It’s lightweight enough for wearing under coats, and also has added stretch, in case you want to wear a layer underneath. The sweater can also be thrown into the machine for easy washing at home, and customers say it’s flattering without adding bulk to an outfit. On the flip side, some reviews say it doesn't hold up well over time.
Size: XS–4X | Material: Cotton, Elasterell-P, acrylic, polyester, spandex | Fit: Regular
Best for Petites
Ralph Lauren Turtleneck
What We Love: The cable knit design is alluring to the eye, and it’s short enough to half-tuck at the front.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not offered in extended (petite) sizes.
Gaffey suggests that petites check out the Ralph Lauren site, as they have an entire category dedicated to those under 5-foot, 4-inches tall. The Josephs also say Ralph Lauren makes some of their longest-lasting turtlenecks. This cozy cable-knit also happens to be marked down and offered in black, camel, white, and the color of the season, red. Wear it with straight-leg jeans and boots or as part of a monochrome outfit with a skirt in the same tone, but different fabric.
Size: XS Petite–L Petite | Material: Cotton, acrylic, nylon | Fit: Relaxed
Best Chunky
Naadam Oversized Turtleneck
What We Love: It’s designed to hit the perfect spot, right above the hip bones, so you can still show off your pants and feel the quality of a luscious knit.
What We Don’t Love: A lot of sizes are sold out, and it doesn’t come in as many colorways as customers would like.
While it is an investment, so many people opt for the soft 100 percent Mongolian cashmere that Naadam is famous for. We love that the brand shows the various colorways on different models, but we do wish there was more range in body diversity here, given that sizes run up to 3X. The subtle yet unique details about this sweater include drop shoulders, slight balloon sleeves, and lots of ribbing at the neck and hem, which gives the piece even more of a luxe feel.
Size: XXS–3X | Material: Mongolian cashmere | Fit: Oversized
Best Ribbed
Aritzia Sunday Best Freshman Turtleneck
What We Love: It comes in core shades as well as limited edition tones.
What We Don’t Love: Some customers describe the material as “flimsy” and “paper thin.”
This is a responsibly-made turtleneck from Aritzia that’s constructed with ReRIB, a fabric that incorporates TENCEL Modal which uses wood-based fibers produced through a process that reduces impact on forests, biodiversity, and water supply. Made for a tight fit, it’s definitely good for layering, and we love the double-fold look of the collar due to the raised seam at the neck. This is one of the top-rated pieces on Aritzia’s site for a fair price point under $50.
Size: 2XS–2XL | Material: TENCEL Modal, elastane | Fit: Tight
Best for Lounging
Theory Turtleneck Sweater
What We Love: The cropped silhouette allows you to show off your bottoms or the rest of your outfit.
What We Don’t Love: There's limited sizing.
Shapoff says Theory is a mainstay for knitwear, and this cashmere turtleneck sweater is perfect for throwing on with your PJ pants or leggings on a lazy Sunday. The wide, cropped fit at the bottom and loose drop sleeves mean you’ll have plenty of space to move around, and the 100 percent cashmere composition means it’s extremely soft to the touch. You can tell just by looking at it draped on the hanger on Nordstom’s site—it’s ultra-relaxed and begging for a day on the couch.
Size: Petite–Large | Material: Cashmere | Fit: Relaxed and cropped
Best Sleeveless
Zara Turtleneck Top
What We Love: The style comes with matching pants for a luxe, cozy season co-ord set.
What We Don’t Love: There's limited sizing and no on-site reviews for feedback.
Switch things up with a tough, sleeveless look this season. Zara usually doesn’t offer its pieces in so many neutral colorways, but the dark gray, gray "marl," ecru, and camel shades are super luxurious-looking, and there are matching pants to make a full set. The pronounced seams on the front of the top make it particularly unique and work to elongate the torso.
Size: S–L | Material: Polyester, recycled polyester, cotton | Fit: Relaxed
What to Keep in Mind
Brands
Turtleneck brands run the gamut, and it’s up to you whether you want to splurge on quality or test out contemporary and affordable brands for their stock. If you’re looking to invest in luxury, Shah recommends Marine Serre for its “second skin layers” to elevate a simple outfit. Gaffey names Anine Bing, Tory Burch, Acne, Dries van Noten, Vince, Nanushka, Stine Goya, and Ganni as covetable high-end brands. The Josephs also mentioned Nili Lotan, Loro Piana, and Brunello Cucinelli, although most people cannot afford everyday staples from those brands. Shapoff loves Falconeri or Khaite, which, like Loro Piana and Brunello Cucinelli, prices its turtlenecks over $1,000. For contemporary options, shop Naadam, Sezane, and Naked Cashmere. On the lower end, there’s Uniqlo’s Heattech Fleece Turtleneck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt, J.Crew’s Ribbed Cashmere Turtleneck, and Cos’ Merino Wool Turtleneck, to name a few on this list.
The Joseph sisters remind us not to knock local thrift stores or The RealReal. “Clothes were made so much better back then that if you could score some vintage turtlenecks in good condition and quality fabrics, you’d be set for winters to come,” they say. Finally, if you’re looking for brands with great plus-size turtlenecks, Shah suggests Asos and Skims.
Quality
When shopping for turtlenecks, everyone looks for different details that fit their sense of style and needs. But in general, comfort reigns supreme. Gaffey considers fabric composition here, looking for breathable cotton blended with a stretchy fabric like spandex or elastane. If the oversized, cozy vibe is what you’re going for, she suggests wool and cashmere, and advises to check the care label so you know exactly how you’ll have to clean the item you’re choosing to purchase.
“A good winter turtleneck in our book is ideally 100 percent organic wool, cashmere, or cotton, doesn’t irritate the skin and has enough body to actually keep you warm. The feel and weight of the fabric tell us a great deal about its durability. We also look at how tightly woven the fibers are (if you can easily see through your turtleneck, it’s not as effective as a winter layer),” the Josephs say. Finally, Shah notes to pay attention to the size of the neck, explaining that she prefers a shorter neck, or to double fold a longer one inside so that it has a smoother shape. This is chalked up to your own personal comfort and style.
Layering
If you’re shopping for a turtleneck for the purpose of layering, Gaffey highly recommends trying a bodysuit, as you won’t have to worry about bunching or extra bulk at the waistband. Both she and Shapoff have had great success with Wolford’s options, which last for years, but if you’re looking for a more affordable take on that silhouette, check out Skims.
Your Questions, Answered
Are turtlenecks in style?
Turtlenecks will always be in style and a great foundation piece come winter — but it’s all about how you wear them. Gaffey suggests opting for the color red right now, as it’s one of the season’s most popular shades. Alternatively, chunky cable knits are a twist on a plain style. “It comes down to styling to make a turtleneck more modern and contemporary, and more on-trend. Straight-leg jeans, sleek ankle boots, and an ankle-grazing maxi coat are chic ways of wearing turtlenecks this season,” she says. The Josephs believe it’s also in the brand. If you’re looking for a turtleneck that’s more “on trend,” they suggest shopping for exciting details from the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier (think: mesh, tattoo sleeve prints) or Zankov. Shapoff also offers two interesting outfit ideas for 2024: “For a chunky, oversized sweater, I recommend wearing leather shorts and tights or a long satin skirt. For a fitted turtleneck, I would recommend high-waisted jeans and a belt with a long coat layered on top. Pair with a large statement earring and stacked rings.”
Are turtlenecks business casual for work?
The most business casual turtlenecks are fine-knit, thin, minimal pieces that bode well under suiting. Gaffey again recommends the bodysuit silhouette for this look, as it will sit neatly under a suit without the need for constant adjustments. “For a more fashionable take on a turtleneck-suit combo, opt for a color pop or chunky turtleneck under an oversized suit,” she says. Shah recommends luxury fabrics that appear smoother and silkier to elevate a work outfit.
Why Shop With Us
Sarah Wasilak is a published writer, podcast host, and the Associate Director of Commerce at Popsugar. She writes across the fashion, fitness, and lifestyle categories with a strong focus on amplifying minority voices in her work, showcasing and uplifting a diverse group of people with every story she writes.
For this roundup, she spoke with stylists Corina Gaffey and Tracy Shapoff; fashion entrepreneurs Shelcy and Christy Joseph; and author and influencer Zeena Shah for their expertise and advice on shopping for turtlenecks.