Forget Basic Thermals—Stay Warm and Stylish This Winter With These Impeccably Chic Turtlenecks

From Steve Jobs’s iconic Issey Miyake iterations to Audrey Hepburn’s Greenwich Village gamine chic look from Funny Face, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of a turtleneck. A winter basic that is anything but boring, turtlenecks serve both functional and aesthetic purposes in a well-edited wardrobe.

With a sleek shape and warming effect, it gives any look an incredibly practical and polished slant. Boasting a sculpting bodice that clings to your mid-section and a high neckline that can gather from the base of your collarbone to the top of your chin, the silhouette reads as modern, cerebral and incredibly put-together.

To some, the idea of a top that inadvertently accentuates your jawline is one that shouldn’t be entertained. But you only need to look at the legion of tasteful adopters who have embraced this trend to realise there’s nothing to be afraid of.

If it’s good enough for Sharon Tate in the swinging ‘60s, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, and Nadja Auermann in the legendary Versace campaign shot by Richard Avedon in the early ‘90s and archival Gap holiday collections from the ‘00s, it’s good enough for us, right?

I do say this with a slight element of bias, especially as a long-standing turtleneck supporter. As a precocious teenager, my own personal uniform included an American Apparel burgundy turtleneck and black pleated skirt, which was a far departure from the raw-hem Billabong shorts and Ripcurl tank tops my contemporaries were wearing as adolescents growing up in Sydney’s beachside suburbs.

As out of place as this looked in this setting, it felt right for me as someone whose gospel was Old Céline, Lorde’s Pure Heroine and the iconography of Tumblr circa 2014. Of the former, it really was Phoebe Philo’s designer off-duty wardrobe that helped catapult the look to the mainstream with her distinctly artistic take on normcore dressing.

Unpretentious and utilitarian, it was these endorsements that showcased the endless styling potential of a turtleneck. Layered under a button-up shirt and blazer, they become something powerful and sleek à la Lydia Tár’s sharp tailoring in Todd Field’s 2022 psychological thriller. Worn under a graphic t-shirt, like Alexa Chung did recently, they’re transformed again into something unfussy and riddled with cool girl sleaze. Worn on their own, they’re more preppy and prim, but certainly still charming thanks to the origins of the trend. All this to say, investing in a turtleneck is never an unwise choice.

Turtlenecks are also a fashion staple that’s earned the approval of several Who What Wear UK editors, so irrespective of whether you’re looking to add to your collection or purchase your first piece, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compile the best styles currently available to shop. As tried, tested and recommended by us, scroll through for a guide to the best turtlenecks that will see you through this season and beyond.

The 8 Best Turtleneck Tops to Shop this Winter

1. Theory Turtleneck Sweater

Style Notes: As a leading voice in the fashion industry for nearly two decades, Who What Wear UK's managing director and former editor-in-chief, Hannah Almassi, is always on the pulse when it comes to identifying emerging trends and picking out quality pieces. "I have many beloved turtlenecks as they are my go-to during winter, but the one I rely on the most is from Theory," she tells me. "It makes sense that this one jumper has lasted me such a long time—the brand is known for its elevated, quality basics."

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2. Massimo Dutti Wool Blend Knit Sweater with High Neck

Style Notes: To be a writer at Who What Wear is to be a purveyor of the high street. However, I'm slightly ashamed to admit how unfamiliar I was with Massimo Dutti before this exercise. Everything in the store, from their warm wooden interiors to the decadent pieces hanging from the rails, was simply lush. This setting obviously put me in a pleasant mood, as I was instantly besotted with this gorgeous cream sweater.

To me, the look was reminiscent of Cameron Diaz’s costume in The Holiday, which couldn’t be more of a fitting tribute considering how near the festive season is. Made from a cashmere and wool blend, the style was expertly sumptuous and felt really fine over my skin. The turtleneck did gather quite a bit, so there was a lot of material to play around with and position as I liked, which I personally didn’t mind. (I know some people like their turtlenecks to just have one clean fold, so watch out for this with this piece.)

The material was slightly stretchy, so I would advise wearing flesh-coloured underwear, but it wasn’t so translucent that I couldn’t get away with wearing the piece in more formal settings, and you can always size up if modesty is paramount. Nancy Meyers, eat your heart out.

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3. & Other Stories Mock-Neck Top

Style Notes: Combining the swashbuckling trend that’s been bubbling up from the runway (Alexander McQueen and Dior’s Napoleon jackets from spring/summer 2026 collections) and the perennially enviable Parisienne sensibility, is this piece from & Other Stories. Ever since the Scottish designer took the reins as creative director, the brand’s pieces have certainly elevated. So, when I saw this very on-trend grey-and-black stripe mock net sitting on the shelves alongside this delicate satin skirt, I was instantly pulled in.

The mixture of the pirate-esque colourway and dainty mini felt entirely contemporary and completely aligned with my winter style philosophy; breezy, slightly subversive and a little bourgeois. On the turtleneck itself, I found the style incredibly insulating, which is a trait I can attribute to the 100% merino wool composition. The neckline is more of a mock silhouette, meaning that it doesn't awkwardly congregate and constrict. It is slightly sheer, but that only means the cut felt all the more French. Pairing this look with a pair of tights and ballet flats, I have a Beatnik chic outfit I’ll be wearing all winter long.

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4. COS Merino Wool High-Neck Top

Style Notes: Fresh from the runway is the COS merino wool high-neck top. Debuting in the brand’s recent autumn/winter 2025 collection presentation in New York, the piece itself is a snug fit with intelligently designed thumb holes that keep wandering sleeve hems at bay. The beauty in this piece is that it is rendered with a deceptive trompe l'oeil effect—something that you’d typically see explored by designers like Glenn Martens, Daniel Roseberry and Jean Paul Gaultier. At first glance, the fabric looks like a true flannel before transforming into a thinner wool upon closer inspection. With so many seasonal shades on offer and deft craftsmanship on show thanks to the delicate stitching, this is a piece that will see you through so many winters.

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5. Arket Roll-Neck Wool Top

Style Notes: A little-known fact about Arket is that the high-street staple actually originates in Sweden, meaning that every fibre and stitch is imbued with the signature minimalism the best Scandinavian brands are known for. This piece is proof of that, as it’s both streamlined and strong in shape. The tighter fit makes it perfect for protecting against the elements while providing a base canvas for you to layer on top of. Make like your inner Stockholm girl and pair with Cecilie Bahnsen x Asics trainers and a Ganni puffer coat.

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6. H&M Polo-Neck Jumper

Style Notes: In my personal opinion, not enough praise is sung for H&M’s basics. For such an affordable price point, these pieces have held their shape and stood the test of time just as well as some of my more expensive pieces have. Because of their price point, I also know I can be less fussy with them compared to my more cherished styles, but even after taking a beating, they still come out of the wash feeling brand new. This turtleneck is no different.

Honestly one of the most insulating styles I tried, I felt fully sheltered against the cold wind and spitting rain when walking out and about in this style. It’s a viscose blend, and whilst I don’t usually like to sing about synthetics, I didn’t feel like this style was any more or less scratchy than the pure natural fabrics I tried on. The fabric was thin, which also made it great for styling, but never flimsy. And for this considerably accessible price point, I can’t vouch for this piece more.

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7. Zara High-Neck T-Shirt

Style Notes: Whilst this is more of a high neck, the principle still applies. Comforting, cut close to the body and made of a stretchy cotton and elastic blend fabric that feels really polished when worn. This has made such a great addition to my basics arsenal, and the high neck brings a design element that I previously lacked. This will pair excellently with slip skirts and polished trousers, too.

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8. Uniqlo 100% Cashmere Turtleneck Jumper

Style Notes: “I live in turtlenecks as soon as the weather gets colder, so I’ve tried my fair share, but nothing beats this cashmere one from Uniqlo," says Who What Wear UK junior branded content editor, Humaa Hussain. "As the name suggests, it’s 100% cashmere, so is one of the softest, cosiest things I own. It goes with layering, on its own, under coats and cardigans. It’s honestly one of the best cashmere pieces on the high street that I’ve come across”.

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Shop More Turtlenecks

How We Tested

Who What Wear UK's editors tested the best turtlenecks by reviewing and trialling new-season styles and trusted old favourites. Taking to the high street and their closets, we vetted the turtlenecks based on comfort, durability, shape, sheerness and affordability to determine which styles were the best.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.