Every year on December 31, I make a style resolution for myself. Three years ago it was to start wearing turtlenecks. At the time, my intention was to start just wearing them underneath tailored clothing, which was a total success. From now on I will always standby wearing a merino wool turtleneck underneath a flannel or corduroy suit in the fall/winter months.
However, as I’m starting to embrace Dad mode, I’ve been trying to delve into more casual and rugged styles. That’s when I stumbled upon the image below. It touches on everything that I’m going to embrace this year.
Photo Courtesy of Put This On
The history of turtlenecks is surprisingly robust. Evolving from the ruff of the Elizabethan era, the turtleneck eventually was used mostly be the working class and eventually English polo players. During 1920’s, almost most style was geared toward less modesty, the turtleneck gained new life largely thanks to Noel Coward. After it fell out of fashion in the depression era, it became part of the navy uniform, which is how it, along with a lot of military surplus, was brought back into popular culture.
Photo Courtesy of 1000 Yard Style
This year, I’m planning on embracing the workwear side of the turtleneck and wearing it with the vintage Schott Perfecto I picked up in London. For pants, dark denim is always a good choice, but if you want to try branching out try pairing with a new wide legged pair of chinos. I bought some for cheap last year from J. Crew’s Wallace and Barnes line. They have a pair in olive and khaki this year that, in my opinion, don’t look as good as the navy ones but they might still work.
If you don’t have a leather jacket, you can also just embrace the total naval history of the turtleneck and wear it under a peacoat! If nothing else, just channel your inner Hemingway and wear it as is.
