I just want to be warm: turtleneck edition

December 26, 2024 3:49 AM

Cold person seeking wool turtlenecks for mutually fulfilling relationship. UK-based. Snowflakes inside.

I really like wearing a turtleneck under another jumper (cardigan or otherwise) for extra warmth when it's really cold.

Issue is, I can't find the sort of turtleneck I'm looking for. Here's an example of what I want, modelled by my lovely mum (who bought hers literal decades ago in a shop in Italy that has since gone out of business, so no luck in that direction).

Non-negotiables:

• Non-foldover neck
• Wool (potentially wool blend, but not 100% polyester)
• Solid colours, not patterned
• Ribbed cuffs
• Thin to medium thickness (Uniqlo ladies' turtlenecks are just this side of too thin)
• Not cropped, not super long either - normal length, I guess? (Hitting around mid-hip - just long enough to be comfortably tucked into trousers if needed)
• Available in non-waif sizes (I'm a UK 16-18 depending on brand and you wouldn't think I'd have issues finding my size, and yet...)
• Will not pill if you look at them wrong; can take being washed in a washing machine without acting like a fainting maiden dying of cold and consumption (the Uniqlo ones I have are holding up decently but are starting to test my patience)
• Will, ideally, last me years if not decades

Nice-to-haves:

• Plain weave, not ribbed (think Uniqlo men's rather than Uniqlo ladies')
• A bit looser rather than form-fitting (somewhere in the middle between Uniqlo men's and ladies')

Ideally wanting to spend around £25-35 max per turtleneck, although I would go up to £50 per if they're really fantastic.

They're probably out of fashion, I'm aware... but I'm hoping some company somewhere still makes these. Will accept pointers to brick-and-mortar shops as well as online.

posted by sailoreagle to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Your price point strikes me as too low for washable wool you want to last for years. Also there are a lot of cheap wool mixes on the market right now; wool is very trendy but that doesn’t mean it’s always good quality.

The term “mock turtleneck” to describe the neck will serve you here, though that can be more common in pieces meant to be the outer sweater, not the base layer. How’s this one?

This is a tough combo. If you find something you love but it has a rollover neck, could you have the neck shortened?
posted by bluedaisy at 4:13 AM on December 26 [5 favorites]

Banana Republic Factory (US) has some merino mocknecks on sale right now! Maybe they have a UK arm?

If you're open to alternative natural fibers, Lands End has a mockneck in a more insulating waffle knit (60:40 cotton/poly, though, and this is how I found out that even Lands End is putting synthetics in their clothes these days).
posted by Bardolph at 4:44 AM on December 26

Response by poster: I could pay a fair bit more for something that I am 100% certain will last me years, but like you said - there are a lot of terrible-quality wool mixes on the market. I would hate to pay £100 per turtleneck and then end up having wasted my money.

I could put up with a roll neck (or have someone sew it down or shorten it) if the turtleneck was otherwise perfection.
posted by sailoreagle at 4:44 AM on December 26

Everlane used to make just such a thing. I had three and wore them weekly all winter until they fell apart at year five or so. If you’re open to buying secondhand, here’s one.

(The tag says hand wash only; I washed mine in a net bag on the delicate cycle and dried on a drying rack. Worked fine.)
posted by minervous at 4:58 AM on December 26

It's indeed hard to find that style / material now, though you can look for previously owned (Talbot's?). But this from woolx is quite close if you are willing to pay more and deal with a higher rolled neck. Described as premium merino wool for exceptional warmth without bulk.
This one by Quince is more on your price point, I have one like it from here and it's nice. It's a bit "bigger" feeling, not something to tuck in.
posted by ponie at 6:44 AM on December 26

Mod note: Previous comment edited to fix link.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 7:54 AM on December 26 [1 favorite]

Hmm. I'm making a wool-gathering trip to Morocco next month, God willing. Literally, buying wool garments and blankets is my goal.

Quality tends to be decent, far more affordable than in the UK / Europe, and large sizes are available there!

If you'd like me to look for something for you, lmk via DM.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 8:23 AM on December 26

Are you 100% sure you want wool? This freezing person adores M&S's very long lasting fleece mock turtlenecks and wears them nearly every day. Here's one example but there are many more on their website.
posted by caoimhe at 2:36 PM on December 26

This is pretty close (higher in price than you wanted but I have several pieces from this company and they have held up well; they are known for their 100-day dress challenge).
posted by Empidonax at 5:21 PM on December 26