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It’s been a long, long time since the holiday classic Christmas Vacation made the turtleneck (technically, a mock turtleneck) sweater look ridiculous. So long, in fact, that turtlenecks have gone all the way back to being cool again.
Let me explain: The turtleneck, originally worn primarily by men, was once a potent symbol of power and sophistication. It actually started as a Letterman sweater in the late 1800s, “when male college athletes in elite schools like Dartmouth and Princeton wore it to represent their teams,” The Week reports. Then the turtleneck morphed, during the 1960s, into a representation of the counterculture, from a badass turtleneck-ed Steve McQueen in Bullitt to academic and downtown artist types. Over time, instead of coming off as tough, the form-fitting garment stood for a softer masculine image (not coincidentally, a lot more women started rocking the turtleneck, too). And then it just became kind of dweeby by the ‘90s.
But enough time has passed to allow the turtleneck its full deserved respect in 2024—which is exactly why it should become your style flex at Thanksgiving dinner (in a dark color, please, to save it from the turkey drippings) and through the holidays. After all, for all its loaded history, the turtleneck is an exceptionally versatile piece to wear, particularly when the temperature starts dipping.
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“A turtleneck sweater instantly lifts any casual outfit and can replace a dress shirt for most occasions, at least in cooler-weather situations,” Michael Stefanov recently wrote in our guide to smart casual dress code. “It's inherently elegant, and whether worn under a blazer or on its own, the turtleneck exudes a simple, chic sophistication. It will add refinement to jeans or casual chinos and pairs just as effortlessly with a denim or chore jacket.”
In other words, the turtleneck is just casual enough, yet still dressy enough to show your date or partner you actually care about what you wear at events this time of year. It’s comfy, cozy even, to see you through New Year’s and into February, paired with a heavy-duty puffer jacket when walking along snowy streets.
Related: Here's How to Nail Smart Casual Dress Code for Men
As we said, a dark color is smart for animal fat- and wine-stained dinner parties. We’re very fond of this Buck Mason California Cashmere Turtleneck in black (or, for less messy occasions, light oat). If you’re on a budget, it’s hard to beat the Banana Republic Merino Wool Turtleneck Sweater in any of the four colors (charcoal, oatmeal, black, and dark brown). And it’s at a steep 60% off right now for $38, a steal of a price considering it’s made of 100% merino wool. Thankfully, merino wool is also immensely breathable, meaning you’ll keep warm without dripping sweat under the collar.
Courtesy Image
Courtesy Image
Whatever you do, skip the mock turtleneck sported by Randy Quaid’s misguided Cousin Eddie in Christmas Vacation. Get the real thing, and channel your inner tough-meets-soft McQueen instead.
