We love sweater season. But when those crisp autumn breezes turn into proper winter winds, a regular sweatshirt just doesn’t cut it. You need something warmer – especially for your neck. Enter: the turtleneck. Once the signature look of Steve Jobs, the turtleneck has turned into an iconic winter wardrobe must-have. But how to style a roll neck sweater without looking like a university professor stuck in the 90s? We’ve got four slick looks for you in our men’s style guide that announce the comeback of the turtleneck: from geek to chic!
Let’s be honest: Turtlenecks haven’t always had the best reputation. They were often seen as geeky and associated with a preppy vibe with no sex-appeal. Intellectuals and geniuses, like Steve Jobs himself, wore them as some sort of anti-fashion statement for pragmatic reasons. And TV costume designers loved to throw a turtleneck on a character when they wanted them to come off as stiff or old-school. But that was then. These days, the roll neck sweater is a versatile wardrobe essential. With tons of styles, colours, and fabrics to choose from, what remains to be figured out is how to pick a timeless design and how to find a top-tier quality roll neck sweater.
By the way, you can read about the history of the turtleneck here.
The Turtleneck from SANVT
Our perfect roll neck sweater is crafted in Portugal from a sustainable blend of 100% recycled materials, certified by GRS. The wool and cashmere mix gives it that extra softness, warmth, and breathability, while the viscose and polyamide vastly improves its durability. We’ve gone for a fine 12-gauge knit, giving the sweater a sleek finish and ultimate comfort. Plus, we use the innovative “fully fashioned” technique, meaning the jumper is knitted into shape without waste. That’s right – zero waste and a perfect fit.
Want to know how a roll neck sweater should ideally fit? Find out in our guide.
So, How To Style a Roll Neck Sweater?
Once you’ve found your ideal timeless turtleneck (we recommend sticking to classic black or grey), the real question is how to style it. A turtleneck keeps your neck warm, sure – but there’s no need to look uptight while doing it. Here are four fresh looks that are anything but dull.
All-Black Coolness
One of the sleekest ways to style a turtleneck? Go all-black. Tuck a black roll neck sweater into a pair of high-waisted, vintage-style black trousers with pleats. Add a black belt with a statement buckle, black loafers with white socks, and top it off with a black beanie. No vintage trousers? No stress. You can swap them for SANVT’s relaxed black chinos for a similar vibe. The result: a look that’s nonchalant, edgy, and minimalist. Perfect for the creative guy at work or a night out bar-hopping.
Layering Elegance
If you want to soften that all-black outfit a bit, use it as the base for a layered look. Throw a light blue Oxford shirt over your black roll neck sweater – leave it untucked and unbuttoned at the top. And if you need more layers, add a black cardigan or oversized blazer. This gives your outfit a refined edge, making it spot-on for after-work drinks or even family gatherings.
Effortless Ease
For a more laid-back, everyday look, pair a grey roll neck sweater with black chinos and black boots. Toss a chunky black knitted scarf over it for good measure. On colder days, swap the classic chinos for heavy black chinos and add a long black coat. Boom – a monochrome look that’s casual yet smart, perfect for the office or weekend wear. It’s normcore, done right.
What’s normcore, you ask? Read more about the anti trend here.
Simple Sophistication
For a refined yet effortless outfit, team a black roll neck sweater with dark grey, oversized trousers. Tuck the turtleneck in, add a minimalist black belt, and finish with black sneakers and a cream-coloured beanie. This look embraces that quiet luxury vibe: understated but never boring. It’s ideal for day-to-day wear or even semi-formal events and dates.
Wrapping Up: Turtlenecks Are Cool Again
You think turtlenecks are just for nerds? Think again. Our four looks prove that roll neck sweaters are anything but geeky or dull. In fact, they’re the epitome of understated style. Turtlenecks are back in a big way – and with the right design and quality, they’re here to stay.
To keep your knitted roll neck sweater as good as new for a long time, find out here how to remove lint balls and prevent pilling.