The turtleneck – a classic piece

A turtleneck is a classic knitwear garment and a key piece in the modern man’s closet. It was popularized in the 1950s and has remained a classic wardrobe staple for both men and women ever since. Turtlenecks are versatile and can be worn in a variety of settings, from casual to formal. They are often made from soft, comfortable materials such as cashmere or wool and can be found in a wide range of colors. One of the main benefits of wearing a turtleneck is the warmth and comfort it provides. The high neckline protects the neck and upper chest from cold temperatures, making it a perfect choice for colder weather.

Turtlenecks - formal vs. casual

Turtlenecks are a classic and sophisticated choice for both formal and casual occasions. Made from soft, high-quality, materials such as wool and cashmere, turtlenecks add a touch of elegance and refinement to any outfit.

Formal

During the colder months, wear your turtleneck with a suit or a jacket for an elegant, yet relaxed, look. By wearing a turtleneck with a suit, and skipping the shirt, you will stay elegant with a relaxed appearance. A great example of turtleneck with suit is pairing the dark taupe turtleneck with a taupe flannel suit. The tones and textures harmonizes well together which creates a comfortable, elegant, look. This outfits handles the transition from office to a dinner party like few others.

The most formal option is a turtleneck tuxedo combination. A black cashmere silk knitwear paired with a tuxedo is an elegant and sophisticated alternative to a shirt. As you may know by now, we love tonal looks. A tonal turtleneck tuxedo combination is not an exception.

Brown turtleneck matched with taupe flannel suit

Casual

Even though it is great to wear a turtleneck with suit, the best way to wear a turtleneck is probably as a comfortable and casual piece. The soft and comfortable wool and cashmere yarns is a true pleasure to wear. In combination with the warmth that a turtleneck provides it is unbeatable during colder months. Wear your off white cashmere turtleneck with a pair of moleskin 5 pockets for a casual, luxurios and comfortable look. This outfit is perfect for relaxed weekends on the countryside.

Another classic, and casual, turtleneck option is the midnight blue cashmere. A navy, blue or navy blue turtleneck is very versatile. You can wear it with a jacket as well as with just trousers. A navy blue turtleneck is perfect to wear with denims for a tonal look.

Navy turtleneck styled casual with a pair of denim

The yarn

We offer our turtlenecks in both the pure cashmere and the wool/cashmere blend. Depending on your needs and preferences we are confident you will find a new favorite knitwear piece.

Cashmere

Our knitwear, including the turtlenecks, in pure cashmere is unbeatable in terms of softness. The luxurious pieces will keep you warm with and comfortable for most occasions. The ultra-fine fiber, creating the world most renowned cashmere can only be found in particular areas of inner Mongolia. Our turtlenecks are made of Cariaggi yarns. The craftsmanship and quality of Cariaggi have been improving for over 60 years of spinning the world’s finest yarns.

A cashmere turtleneck in sand or taupe are luxurious and versatile pieces. Of course, comfortable to wear but also easy to match with most garments. If you are looking for something more expressive, we recommend the burgundy or sage green. Or why not both? They will definitely become statement pieces during colder months.

 

Wool/cashmere

A turtleneck in a wool and cashmere blend is a durable option perfect for your everyday needs. The 2-ply yarn creates a turtleneck perfect for layering. If you are looking for something versatile the navy blue turtleneck is perfect for you. Even though it is not as soft as the pure cashmere, it is still a luxurious and comfortable option.

Turtleneck midnight blue wool cashmere

The perfect fit for a turtleneck

When it comes to knitwear, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of comfort. A custom made turtleneck is not an exception. We recommend a slightly more relaxed fit for all our knitwear. A casual fit combined with the raglan shoulder (featured on all our knitwear) will give you room for both comfort and movement. As always, your preferences come first, and we will of course create the turtleneck fit based on this.

An important aspect for your knitwear, and turtleneck, fit is the lengths. In a relaxed position, the sleeves should reach down to the bottom of your thumb without too much crease. The body length is more preference based. If you prefer to wear high waisted trousers, we recommend making your turtleneck slightly shorter.

How to wear the turtleneck

As we have mentioned earlier a turtleneck is a versatile garment that can be worn for both formal and casual occasions. With different styling you will get a lot of use out of your turtleneck.

A turtleneck suit combination is a great way to balance between formal and casual. Leave the shirt at home and wear your taupe turtleneck with a flannel suit. The tones and texture harmonize well with each other. The same turtleneck can be worn with beige moleskin trousers for a casual look.

The most classic choice is perhaps a blue turtleneck. A navy blue turtleneck is a cornerstone in the modern man’s wardrobe. The navy turtleneck is best worn with similar color tones. A pair of washed selvedge denim with a blue turtleneck in pure cashmere is a great example of this. It is casual and comfortable, yet elegant and luxurious. Another Blugiallo favorite, inspired by the icon Gianni Agnelli, is The Sestriere cashmere turtleneck in off white. Even though we may not go skiing in the turtleneck, it is a stylish and luxurious choice. Wear it with 5-pockets in moleskin for a perfect weekend outfit. Throw on a jacket and you are good to go when it is time to join the friends for a drink.

Even though we love earthy tones at Blugiallo, we must admit that it is a pleasure to add some color now or then. The burgundy turtleneck in pure cashmere is a great example of this. In our opinion, best worn with a pair of off white trousers. Wearing this combination will make you look like you are taken right from the streets of Firenze, and who do not want to give that impression?

Off white cashmere turtleneck

Garment care - How to take care of your knitted turtleneck

Taking proper care of your cashmere and wool garments will increase the lifespan and maintain the beautiful attributes of the luxurious yarn. Since animal fibers, like wool and cashmere, are naturally resistant to stains, odor and grease, they do not need washing very often. Washing less will help the garment last longer and is more environmentally friendly too. Taking care of your cashmere garments is actually easier than you might think. Read our garment care guide here and you will become and expert in no time.

Wool comb

Final words

Overall, a turtleneck is a versatile and stylish wardrobe cornerstone that can be worn in a variety of settings. Whether you’re looking for added warmth and comfort or a polished and sophisticated look, a turtleneck is a great choice.