The Turtleneck Is Every Fashion Insider’s Most-Loved Layering Piece

While some style essentials steal the spotlight, racking up column inches extolling their appeal – think oversized blazers, leather biker jackets and wide-leg jeans – other silhouettes fly under the radar like fashion insiders’ hidden gems. A classic turtleneck is one such piece. Synonymous with nonchalant, rive-gauche elegance, it’s been a staple of style icons – from Princess Diana to Audrey Hepburn – for good reason. Not only does the turtleneck look great with denim or tailoring, but it’s also the ultimate layering piece – perfect for pulled-together looks on chilly days. Read on to see our pick of the pieces to invest in now, along with three ways to best deploy this secret-style weapon.

A crisp button-down shirt always looks polished, but come winter, it can be tricky to wear one without feeling the breeze. Enter the turtleneck. The trick is to opt for an ultra-thin style that adds warmth without bulk and looks effortlessly sleek. Consider Agolde’s ‘Pascale’ version, which is crafted from soft and stretchy jersey and has a charcoal-gray tone that works perfectly under a white or pale-blue shirt, such as Toteme’s boardroom-ready style. Wide-leg denim grounds the look – again, let Agolde be your go-to, for its white pair will perfectly lift the palette. Joseph’s classic black coat is an excellent final layer and earns bonus points for being part of our NET SUSTAIN edit of more consciously crafted styles.