How to Wear a Turtleneck with a Suit

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Over the weekend, I went to a party here in New York and saw no less than four guys wearing turtlenecks! Granted, the theme was Après Ski but still! I took it as vindication that 1) they were all Style Girlfriend readers (though I didn’t ask), and 2) our team has finally convinced the men of the world that it’s time to wear turtlenecks.

Because we’ve already covered how to wear a turtleneck with more outfits in your winter wardrobe. But when you’re thinking about what to wear with a turtleneck or how to style a turtleneck, what about the epitome of menswear elegance?

That’s right, we’re talking about how to wear a turtleneck with a suit.

Not convinced this is for you? Worried it’s a look reserved for only actors or athletes gracing the winter issue of GQ? Or that turtlenecks are no longer in style?

Let me soothe your fears. Yes, turtlenecks are still in style. No, you don’t have to be a celebrity to wear one.

In fact, it’s so f*cking easy to look great wearing a turtleneck with a suit. Even better? You don’t have to wear a tie and dress shirt.

Onboard yet?!

Below, what you’ll find in this guide on how to style a turtleneck with a suit or sport coat:

Tips for Wearing a Turtleneck with a Suit
5 Ways to Wear a Suit or Sport Coat with a Turtleneck
The Best Turtlenecks for Guys to Shop Right Now

Here’s what you need to know about wearing a turtleneck with a suit:

The thinner the knit is, the easier it will be to add as a sleek layer with a blazer, a leather jacket, or a wool topcoat.

Stick to dark colors like black, blue, gray, or burgundy, which will suit fall and winter looks. Something like a black turtleneck with a black suit will be a pretty bold look, but a navy suit with a slightly lighter blue turtleneck will look both timeless and stylish.

The one (and subjectively only) pitfall of a turtleneck is the task of actually putting it on, so remember to style your hair after you’ve put on your sweater.

Take it to the next level of refinement by opting for a double breasted jacket. Don’t worry – we’ll show you how to do that below! Mind you, if you’re dressing up this style it’s important that the neck is folded evenly and falls flat.

Get inspired with a week’s worth of dressed-up turtleneck outfits for men:

Monday

stylish man wearing a grey suit with a grey turtleneck

Wear a turtleneck and suit in similar colors

SG Says: This great look (from last season Hugo Boss, sorry!) shows the power of a monochromatic turtleneck and suit combo. The black loafers pair really nicely with the overall charcoal look.

The overall effect is subtly sophisticated without feeling even a little bit boring.

Tuesday

david beckham turtleneck with a suit — image: Esquire

Wear a turtleneck with a double-breasted suit

SG Says: Leave it to David Beckham to swerve into a more fashion forward turtleneck and suit pairing.

Here, he’s got on a double-breasted suit and a turtleneck in a rich holiday party-friendly burnished orange hue.

And that’s really it!

As Esquire‘s Jonathan Evans puts it, “No pocket square. No tie (obviously). No extraneous accessories of any kind, actually. Because the sweater and suit are all you need to make a statement.”

While something like a three piece suit might be a little much with a turtleneck, this is a great way to wear a turtleneck and suit combo in a more formal setting, like to a wedding.