Few articles of clothing appear more suave and sophisticated than the turtleneck sweater. While certainly a somewhat bolder choice of apparel, it’s hard to discount their practicality, their ability to transform an outfit, or their overall impact on popular culture.
While their origin is up to something of a debate, with higher necklines appearing in countless ancient styles of dress, the more contemporary iteration of a turtleneck as we know it really took off in the 1950s and the 1960s, and has forever left its mark on the landscape of modern menswear.
The thing is, there’s actually a few different types of garments that qualify as a turtleneck sweater. There are those made from lightweight cottons, and thick counterparts composed of heavy woolen fabrics. There are sportier turtlenecks, rugged turtlenecks, and sleek, smooth turtlenecks you might pair with a business suit.
If you’re even remotely intrigued by them (you should be), we’ve taken the time to put together a list of some of the coolest turtleneck sweaters you can buy right now, for just about every purpose and budget. Read on!
Get the Look on a Budget: Lambswool Sweater | Turtleneck by Uniqlo
Uniqlo seemingly never fails to show up on our top picks for budget pieces, and the best part is, their stuff still tends to look like a million bucks. Such is the case with this lambswool turtleneck option. It has just enough texture to be worn on its own but is still smooth and sleek enough to wear under a worsted wool suit should you so choose, and hey, it comes in five colors and tons of sizes.
Made from 100% 19.5-micron lambswool and featuring a classic, slightly roomier fit, this is an absolute no-brainer for under $40.
For a More Upgraded Classic Turtleneck: Lambswool Turtleneck Sweater by J. Press
Don’t be fooled by J. Press’ odd habit of showcasing their clothing in some of the most humdrum photos possible – their stuff is always a guaranteed winner. Perhaps better known for their popular, pricey “Shaggy Dog” shetland knit sweaters, it’s for that very same reason and reputation that you shouldn’t discount this turtleneck offering.
Made from 100% Geelong Lambswool, a soft-yet-hardy yarn, this sweater has a classic, comfortable fit and comes in six easy-to-style colors. As a contemporary option, you can wear this with jeans, chinos, and even a suit – both casual and business professional.
For $225, you’re getting some serious quality here. Trust us, J. Press always has the sauce.
Hell Yeah, Irish Wool (at a great price): Fisherman’s Merino Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater??? by Aran Sweater Market
At this point, it’s hardly a secret that some of the best knitwear is produced in Ireland, and the selection available at Aran Sweater Market packs some serious value considering this fact.
We really dig the texture on this Fisherman’s Merino Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater, which is deceptively soft to the touch, thanks to its merino wool material. Often with merino wool, things risk being a bit too smooth to be interesting, but that’s certainly not the case here.
This knit has a great ribbed texture and a highly flattering fit, with eight pristine colors to choose from. And it’s currently on sale for under $110, which is a brilliant value if we’re being honest.
Contemporary, Yet Textured: Herdsmen Turtleneck by Buck Mason
You can always rely on Buck Mason to elevate the classics. And that they do, in the case of this Herdsmen Turtleneck. Composed of 95% merino wool, which is already soft enough, they went the extra mile by adding 5% of cashmere to make this one even softer.
There’s also technically two different colored yarns being spun together here, resulting in a surprisingly marbled look – and that’s ontop of the great waffle-esque texture.
For $248, it’s not exactly budget-friendly, but this one is more than worth the price of admission in our book.
Beefy on a Budget: Donegal Turtleneck Sweater by GAP
Looking to get that thick, chunky turtleneck style into your wardrobe rotation without breaking the bank? Well, you’re in luck, because GAP has you covered. We’re pretty darn impressed with their Donegal Turtleneck Sweater, which has a roomy, relaxed fit to emphasize its more casual leanings.
The fabric is admittedly a blend of polyester and wool, but at this price we’re still quite pleased with the amount of detail, right down to the flecks of color visible in the Donegal-style weave.
You can’t go wrong with either of the two compelling color options, and for under $90, you get a really neat, slouchy silhouette here.
For a Bit of That “Old Money” Look and Feel: Cable-Knit Wool-Cashmere Sweater by Polo Ralph Lauren
Leave it to Ralph to absolutely hit the nail on the head with this one, a turtleneck that perfectly captures that spirit of old-money elegance that dudes these days still seemingly can’t get enough of. It really comes down to the details with this one, particularly its intricate cable-knit design and chunky (yet flattering) fit.
It’s made from 80% wool and 20% cashmere, so you can expect a ton of softness and comfort. The three colors available are classic Ralph Lauren, in that they really reflect a classic Americana palette, that being, Park Ave Red, Hunter Navy, and Andover Cream (red, white, and blue).
At $348, it’s up there in price, but do we even really have to sell you on some good ol’ Polo RL?
And Now, for Something in Cotton: Men’s Carefree Unshrinkable Turtleneck by L.L. Bean
Turtleneck style isn’t exclusively reserved for practical winter wear – it can be worn in more moderate climates as well if you simply turn from wool to cotton. Besides for being a less heat-retaining fabric (though still plenty warm for everyday use), another great benefit of this pick from L.L. Bean is how easy it is to wash.
That’s because it’s made from a comfortable 100% cotton jersey knit, a fabric that L.L. Bean guarantees won’t shrink, pill, or fade after repeated washes. It has a bit of a sportier, casual look to it, as well, making it easy to style down with jeans, chinos, or corduroys.
There’s also six colors to pick from, and with it costing less than $40 a pop, you can easily snag two!
Try Out a Rollneck, for Size: 1988 Rollneck Sweater in Cotton by J.Crew
If for whatever reason you’re hesitant to go all-out on the turtleneck look, maybe you should consider its slightly more subtle cousin, the rollneck sweater. It’s essentially a turtleneck with a less tall neck, and instead of folding over itself completely, it casually rolls down into itself. It’s a great look that’ll add some warmth to your neckline, without climbing up too high.
Sound like your kind of vibe? This pick from J.Crew, based on an archival classic from 1988, most definitely won’t steer you wrong. Made from 100% cotton and featuring a dense, subtle texture, it also comes in six neat colors that each do something a bit different.
And it’s currently on sale for less than $70!
If You Care for Some Cashmere: Cashmere Turtleneck by Todd Snyder
Cashmere needs no introduction. Ultra soft and luxurious, this option from Todd Snyder is easily the most elegant turtleneck on this list. While some of the thicker, more textured knits shown earlier are intended to be worn on their own or with more casual pieces, this turtleneck is elevated to work with your nicest suits and styles. It’s smooth, sleek, and oh-so-soft.
Each of the five classic colors makes for an excellent choice. And priced at $368, it isn’t terribly expensive for some solid-quality cashmere.
All-Out Prep: Wool Regimental Stripe Turtleneck by Paul Stuart
This Wool Regimental Stripe Turtleneck by legendary clothier Paul Stuart is easily the most expensive one on this list, but goodness gracious if it isn’t rad as hell – we just had to include it! Reminiscent of a rugby polo with its rep stripe design, it’s not only the colors that are on display with this piece – the quality speaks for itself, too.
Made in Italy from 100% virgin wool, it has a medium weight to it and styles well with other preppy classics, like chinos, corduroys, and even blue jeans. Both color variants are bold, yet somehow incredibly posh and sophisticated.
It doesn’t matter if it’s been years since you’ve been out of college, or never even attended at all – this turtleneck just about cements you into the school of cool. All it costs is $695, if you’ve got the cash to spend.