The 12 Best, Editor-Approved Turtlenecks for Masterful Layering

They're fashion insiders' secret weapon.

imagery of women wearing turtleneck sweaters during fashion week by Tyler Joe
(Image credit: Tyler Joe)

A glimmer of warm weather can entice you to move all of your outerwear into storage and squish your cold-weather staples, like your well-worn sweaters and turtlenecks, into the back of your closet, but hold tight. If spring's history with unpredictable weather is any indication, temperatures will ebb and flow over the next several weeks—or months. That means layering (an editor-approved strategy that has reached new heights, thanks to the wearing versus styling debate) will be your best defense against a chill in the air.

Having a stack of the best turtlenecks to style with is one of the sleekest ways fashion insiders create spring outfits that evoke Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's nonchalance. A turtleneck in a black or white hue, tucked into your favorite denim skirt or tailored trousers, will never go out of favor.

Looking to Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander, and Fendi's fall 2024 runways, lightweight sheer turtlenecks continually popped up as a base layer for blazers, peeking out underneath button-downs, and styled as a foundational piece alongside lightweight sweaters. 

But the best turtlenecks aren't all business and no play. Designers like Ganni, Dries Van Noten, Paco Rabanne, and Loewe have been putting a printed spin on the season's offerings with embellishments, florals, and psychedelic '60s patterns. They offer a fresh way to incorporate a turtleneck into your daytime attire and alongside eveningwear.

Ahead, find Marie Claire's picks for the best turtlenecks for women across twelve different categories because, like most things, there's no one-turtleneck-fits-all approach to personal style and preference.

Best Turtlenecks for Women

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Emma Childs
Fashion Features Editor

Emma Childs is the Fashion Features Editor at Marie Claire, who writes trend reports, long-form reported features, and style guides. She previously wrote for TZR, Editorialist, Elite Daily, and Mission Magazine and studied Fashion Studies and New Media at Fordham University. When she's not writing fashion deep-dives, you'll find her stalking eBay for designer vintage and perusing HBO Max (in her heart, it'll always be *HBO* MX).