I love a good turtleneck. So much so that I wish I could wear them year-round (but don't worry, I'm not insane). I eagerly await the Fall and Winter months when it's acceptable for me to bust out my assortment, and as I'm sure you can imagine, it's vast: chunky knits, fitted mock-necks (technically not a turtleneck, but close enough), and ribbed styles are the styles I wear most. While I'm totally an equal turtleneck opportunist, my absolute favourites are tissue-thin styles I can easily tuck into jeans, high-rise pants, and skirts as well as comfortably layer under sweaters, dresses [1], and shirts sans bulk. I'm also here for a good turtleneck bodysuit; it's the ultimate piece for achieving a seamless look. To put it simply, what a white t-shirt is to many, a thin turtleneck is to me. An utterly essential basic [2] I can't live without.
One of my go-to outfit formals is a thin turtleneck tucked into high-rise jeans [3] with boots in cool weather; it's super flattering, easy to throw on, and always looks polished, though effortlessly so. But when I need to bundle up a bit more or simply want to experiment with layers, a thin turtleneck can really transform an outfit, even if it's just barely peeking out from under a cosy knit, button-down shirt, or sweatshirt.
To give you a visual on just how easy layering a turtleneck is, I've snapped a few pics detailing three superwearable looks. From a vegan-leather-shirt-and-jeans formula to a double-sweater situation (fear not, I'll break this down), ahead, my guide to layering a simple turtleneck IRL. While these looks err on the side of minimalist [4], I promise, the results are anything but boring. Plus, I've shopped out all three of my outfits head to toe, including most of my exact pieces and similar styles.
How to Layer a Turtleneck: Under a Sweater
A white turtleneck is my absolute favourites for layering. While I love styling mine with all of the neutral tops in my closet, it really pops under brighter colours and fun prints while at the same time grounding them so they feel more wearable and less loud.
How to Layer a Turtleneck: Under a Sweater
Here, you can see this white turtleneck barely peeks out from under the neckline and cuffs of my sweater, bringing a little more dimension to an otherwise supersimple outfit.
How to Layer a Turtleneck: Under a Sweater
To really show off your layering, give the ole sweater hair tuck a try.
Everlane The Cotton Turtleneck Tee
Everlane The Cotton Turtleneck Tee [6] ($28)
Tibi Cashmere Mini Pullover
Tibi Cashmere Mini Pullover [7] ($695)
American Eagle Cosy Crew Neck Sweater
American Eagle Cosy Crew Neck Sweater [8] ($20, originally $50)
Agolde Pinch Waist High Rise Kick Jeans
Agolde Pinch Waist High Rise Kick Jeans [9] ($168)
Levi's Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
Levi's Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans [10] ($98)
Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag
Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag [11] ($1,900)
Massimo Dutti Braided Leather Crossbody Bag
Massimo Dutti Braided Leather Crossbody Bag [12] ($150)
Miista Betta Chelsea Boot
Miista Betta Chelsea Boot [13] ($405)
Aurate Infinity Ring
Aurate Infinity Ring [14] ($120)
Zoe Lev 14k Gold Initial Bracelet
Zoe Lev 14k Gold Initial Bracelet [15] ($195)
Tiny Letter Bracelet
Tiny Letter Bracelet [16] ($27)
Tiary Pave Charm Hoop Earrings
Tiary Pave Charm Hoop Earrings [17] ($253)
Baublebar Niata Large 18k Gold Vermeil Huggies
Baublebar Niata Large 18k Gold Vermeil Huggies [18] ($68)
How to Layer a Turtleneck: Under a Shirt
I love layering a thin turtleneck under a button-down shirt in the Winter. It's warmer and feels a bit more exciting than donning either piece on its own.
How to Layer a Turtleneck: Under a Shirt
For a trendier and more textured take on this look, I went for an oversize vegan-leather shirt (fastening a single snap at my waistline to define my shape a bit more) and paired it with straight-leg jeans, black boots, and a sleek bag.
How to Layer a Turtleneck: Under a Shirt
As you can see, this look is less about the turtleneck itself, but it's a simple base that actually creates a lot more impact than you'd expect.
Pixie Market Black Vegan Leather Shirt
Pixie Market Black Vegan Leather Shirt [19] ($145)
H&M Short Turtleneck Top
H&M Short Turtleneck Top [20] ($10)
Agolde High Rise Kick Pinch Waist Jeans
Agolde High Rise Kick Pinch Waist Jeans [21] ($178)
Lost Ink High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
Lost Ink High Waist Straight Leg Jeans [22] ($64)
Dear Frances Cube Boot
Dear Frances Cube Boot [23] ($550)
Seven Dials Nicole Mid-Calf Boots
Seven Dials Nicole Mid-Calf Boots [24] ($55, originally $70)
Sharkchaser Triangle Shoulder Bag
Sharkchaser Triangle Shoulder Bag [25] ($720)
Charles & Keith Brown Rectangular Top Handle Bag
Charles & Keith Brown Rectangular Top Handle Bag [26] ($53)
Celine Square Acetate Sunglasses
Celine Square Acetate Sunglasses [27] ($460)
Carolina Lemke Plenty Sunglasses
Carolina Lemke Plenty Sunglasses [28] ($40, originally $75)
Barbela Diamond Wilder Ring
Barbela Diamond Wilder Ring [29] ($1,150)
Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Pave Ridge Ring
Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Pave Ridge Ring [30] ($72)
Roxanne Assoulin The Mixer Bracelet
Roxanne Assoulin The Mixer Bracelet [31] ($85)
How To Layer A Turtleneck: Under A V-Neck Sweater
When it's freezing out, there's no other option but to cloth your body is as many layers as possible, though it's hard not to feel like the Michelin Man or Joey in that episode of Friends where he wear's all of Chandler [32]'s clothes. An easy way to cover up sans bulk is to layer a thin turtleneck under a V-neck sweater.
How To Layer A Turtleneck: Under A V-Neck Sweater
While I chose to layer an oatmeal turtleneck under a white V-neck sweater, this combination works well with pretty much any combination of neutral colours (white and grey, camel and brown, navy and white) but also works with brighter colours, too. I love a white turtleneck layered under a solid shade like red, cobalt, yellow, or Kelly green.
How To Layer A Turtleneck: Under A V-Neck Sweater
A closer look as my low-key layering.
Zara Faux Fur Sweater
Zara Faux Fur Sweater [33] ($40)
Zara Turtleneck Soft Touch Top
Zara Turtleneck Soft Touch Top [34] ($18)
Agolde Pinch High Rise Kick Jeans
Agolde Pinch High Rise Kick Jeans [35] ($168)
Topshop Raw Denim Indigo Jeans
Topshop Raw Denim Indigo Jeans [36] ($95)
Mango Heel Leather Ankle Boot
Mango Heel Leather Ankle Boot [37] ($130)
By Far Lada 50Mm Ankle Boots
By Far Lada 50Mm Ankle Boots [38] ($351, originally $585)
Polène Number Seven Bag
Polène Number Seven Bag [39] ($480)
Urban Outfitters Jackie Croc Embossed Crossbody Bag
Urban Outfitters Jackie Croc Embossed Crossbody Bag [40] ($39)
Le Specs Air Heart Sunglasses
Le Specs Air Heart Sunglasses [41] ($69)
Zoe Chicco 14k Personalized Rounded Rectangle Necklace
Zoe Chicco 14k Personalized Rounded Rectangle Necklace [42] ($495)
Adornmonde Rogan Gold Necklace
Adornmonde Rogan Gold Necklace [43] ($108)