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A STYLING GUIDE OF HOW TO WEAR A ROLL NECK

How to buy less, choose well and style your new favourite roll neck so you'll always love it.

12.02.2020

By Naomi Barling

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ROLL NECKS, POLO NECKS, TURTLENECKS, HIGH NECKS AND BEYOND

Photography I DANIEL Archer

styling I naomi barling

Whatever you call it, whether a roll neck, polo neck, or turtleneck (although the latter technically refers to a knit with a high neck, not one that folds over), this piece is an everyday essential. This versatile number can take you from meeting to off-duty mode and pretty much every occasion in between. Traditionally worn casually, this season it is all about a more formal and evening appropriate take on the roll neck. Wear with oversized tailoring for the office, under a slip dress or with straight-leg evening trousers by day, then decorate with magpie jewellery for evening. The great thing about the roll neck is that there is a plethora of ways you can wear it: here are our tips of the season.

the roll neck

Tips for AW19:

1

Find your perfect lightweight roll neck to layer; pair under a dressy shirt and get playful with it. Contrast bold block colours or clash the patterns. Alternatively go plain and tonal adding some layered chains to finish it off.

2

Discretely elegant and modest with a sprinkle of laidback cool, a roll-neck is your secret weapon when it comes to mastering androgynous style during office hours. Wear under a shirt and blazer and go fully coordinated, or think minimal with trousers tailored slouchy on the leg. Make sure the roll neck fits snug so you can French tuck your shirt and not have too much fabric bunched up. And while we all wait for spring to arrive, don’t pack away the roll necks just yet; they are perfect for layering under dresses so you can keep those summer pieces in use.

3

A roll-neck is a great way to shake things up if it’s an ‘out out’ night. Pair with a mini skirt and boots, think 1960s Twiggy, or go for a finer knit with some satin trousers and flats for an easy dinner look. They also work perfectly under a slinky 90s mini-dress, but pair the dress with some trousers and kitten heels to give it a modern take. Play with textures like leather and as the roll-neck frames the face, don’t be scared of tying your hair back and adding some statement earrings.

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ARGYLE KNITWEAR TO ADMIRE

How are you wearing your roll neck this season?

“I love the versatility of a roll neck. I always buy mine skin-tight to wear as a second skin under or instead of a shirt with my suits. When it’s really cold I will double up so silk shirts are still wearable during the colder months. I also love the fact I can layer prints and textures into an outfit and during the transition into spring I can wear them with dresses instead of needing a coat. My current obsession is checked printed roll necks to layer under my check blazers. I have brought tonal checks that match my blazers for a tone on tone print clash. I also have a big selection of affordable Uniqlo plain black roll necks. They are the perfect fit.”