9 Easy Ways to Style a Turtleneck

Contrary to popular belief, turtlenecks aren’t passé! They’re absolutely in style, and I would even call them a classic. Most are flattering on all body types and more versatile than you might think. Not to mention, they’re cozy and warm. Today I’m sharing 9 ways to style a turtleneck, from casual to dressy, so that you can keep them in your rotation all fall and winter.

Turtleneck Outfit Ideas

1. Casual with Jeans

This is one of my favorite casual winter outfits. If your turtleneck is oversized, play around with a front tuck and letting in fall freely—one will usually look best. If I need a coat over my chunkier turtlenecks, I drape it over my shoulders to avoid bulk.

woman wearing oversized cream turtleneck with oatmeal wool coat white straight leg jeans and loeffler randall isla booties

2. Turtleneck Dressed Up With a Skirt

Tuck a fitted turtleneck into a slip skirt, pleated midi skirt, or mini skirt. This looks so elegant when paired with strappy heels or heeled boots. I’m also a big fan of knit turtleneck bodysuits—that’s what I’m wearing below—because of how well they eliminate creasing.

woman wearing fitted turtleneck outfit with black lecce belt and black pleated midi skirt

4. Professional for the Office

When I was working in corporate offices I was always freezing Turtlenecks not only look professional but provide warmth to keep you comfortable at your desk.

woman wearing turtleneck work outfit with black wool coat and other stories oatmeal turtleneck theory demetria dress pants and schutz heeled booties

5. With Dressy Satin Pants

I experimented with wearing a relaxed turtleneck over dressy satin pants over the holidays, and it turned out to be one of my favorite winter outfits! This is an equally classy and comfortable combo for when you want to dress up without showing much skin.

woman wearing dressy turtleneck outfit with black oversized turtleneck and teal silk pants

6. Comfy Travel Turtleneck Outfit

Athleisure and loungewear styled in casual outfits is a trend that’s really grown on me over the last couple of years. This look is easiest to pull off if you have a matching turtleneck and jogger set, but if you’re working with separates, just try to get the tones as close as possible.

woman wearing casual turtleneck outfit with white turtleneck white joggers double breasted coat and veja v10 sneakers

7. Oversized Turtleneck Look

The key to pulling off a casual look with an oversized sweater is all about proportions. The more fitted the rest of your outfit is (think skinny jeans and thin-shaft ankle boots), the more likely you’ll be able to get away with an untucked sweater. Truthfully though, you can’t go wrong with a put together created by doing a front twist tuck, a french tuck, or a belt tuck.

woman wearing free people slouchy ottoman tunic turtleneck sweater with black skinny jeans and mind calf boots

7. Layered Under a Blazer

This look is great for late fall and early spring when it’s chilly enough for an extra layer. I’m wearing a wool blazer coat here, but sleeveless turtlenecks layer beautifully under lightweight blazers, leather jackets, and denim jackets as well.

woman wearing tan turtleneck with plaid blazer coat black levis and brown mid calf boots

8. Turtleneck Over a Dress or Skirt

Another way to wear your relaxed turtlenecks is over a dress or skirt. Balance the look by tucking the sweater into a belt. This creates a waistline and can help you get more mileage out of your otherwise formal pieces.

woman wearing turtleneck over a dress with belt and wool coat

9. In a Monochrome Outfit

There’s something about a monochrome look that’s fresh and polished. I dressed up joggers here with a long turtleneck but you could spin this so many ways. A white turtleneck with a pair of white skinny jeans tied together with a warm camel coat (to keep you from looking too stark) could easily transition from casual to business-ready by changing up a few accessories.

woman wearing all white turtleneck outfit with long side slit turtleneck white joggers and heeled sandals

Turtlenecks I Love + More Picks

I thought it’d be helpful to share a shortlist of the turtlenecks I own and wear the absolute most as well as an edit of knits at a variety of price points that would be a great addition to any wardrobe.

My Favorite Turtlenecks

Everlane Stroopwafel Turtleneck—This oversized cashmere sweater looks great with a half tuck and belted over a skirt or dress. It comes in several beautiful colors, and I love the waffle knit texture.
Wolford Turtleneck Bodysuit—This is probably the most worn ‘turtleneck’ in my closet. It is a big investment, but the fit is phenomenal and it eliminates all chance of creasing or bunching when worn with skirts, dresses, dress pants, and even denim. Commando makes a great alternative under $100.
H&M Chunky Turtleneck—This is one of the rare items that H&M restocks annually because it truly is that good ($25 and over 600 reviews). The hemline hits perfectly for high-rise jeans, and the ribbing at the cuffs and neck keep it from looking boxy.
Everlane Pima Rib Turtleneck—The best fitted turtleneck I’ve found for the price. The fabric is incredibly soft and hugs the body yet isn’t clingy. I hope they’ll make more colors!
Oversized Turtlenecks—Two oversized knits that I picked up this season are this Banana Republic sweater and this popular Free People tunic. Both are wonderful tucked into denim for casual outfits, but be sure to size down!

Below are a few more turtlenecks that caught my eye recently:

How to Style a Turtleneck: Additional Tips

For a clean look across the front, opt for body-hugging knits or knot your sweater with a hair tie in the back and flip the “knot” back up into the sweater.
If everything about your outfit looks good but something feels off, it might be a color issue. Sweaters and outerwear can be surprisingly challenging to coordinate. I recommend investing in turtlenecks like this and this in a variety of colors so that you have a few shade options.
Make your turtlenecks go further by learning different tucking methods. Turtlenecks (especially oversized) have a tendency to swallow. Make them look more proportional by DIY-cropping, french tucking, or belting them. I have a blog post coming on tucking methods this soon!
Avoid heavy jewelry. I’m not a fan of layering a necklace over any collared sweater (it’s a statement move, so if you want to, you do you!). For a delicate look, stick to rings, bracelets, and earrings.
Opt for non-itchy fabrics. If your skin gets dry in the winter like mine, having fabric up against your skin can be uncomfortable. Real cashmere is incredibly soft and your skin won’t get irritated, but the downside is that these pieces are usually expensive. My advice is to try out J. Crew or Banana Republic’s cashmere sweaters (usually $100-$200) or to buy them secondhand.

What Can You Wear with a Turtleneck

Turtlenecks go with jeans, pants, skirts, outerwear, and dresses, and a few tweaks can make them appropriate for everything from travel to the office and your weekend work uniforms.

Hopefully you’ve seen enough inspiration to try a few looks on your own, but if you’re looking for more turtleneck outfit ideas, check out my daily looks in the Shop!