Roll neck jumpers, turtle necks, polo necks…Whatever you want to call them, a roll neck jumper is a stylish piece of knitwear.
They’re something you really want to own, and I have grown to love them.
Sure, I will admit, I never really liked them until recently. I got my first roll neck a couple of years ago, and since then, I haven’t looked back.
Here’s how to wear a roll neck jumper in style, and everything you want to know about them.
Men’s Roll Neck Outfits
1. A Roll Neck Sweater With Jeans
One of the easiest outfits to put together is wearing a roll neck sweater with jeans. In the picture above you can see me wearing my cream roll neck jumper with a pair of black jeans.
Dark jeans are great for this season, and my favourite go to are a pair of black denim. These go well with the lighter colour knit, with both pieces standing out.
I have paired that with my camel coat, a pair of brown brogues along with my scarf as a final accessory.
This is a great smart casual outfit for every day wear.
Outfit
- Cream roll neck jumper
- Black Jeans
- Camel overcoat
- Brown Brogues
Layering A Roll Neck With An Overcoat
Wearing a roll neck under an overcoat is such a great style. I love this look, and wear it a lot. I have lighter colour knits including an off white cream colour, and it works perfect with my camel coat.
A great outfit for when you’re having a weekend away or are looking for something to wear around the city or country.
2. Roll Neck With a Suit
If you want to wear a roll neck in the smartest way possible, wear a roll neck with a suit.
When it comes to layering for a suit, a shirt is the obvious choice. But in the colder months, a roll neck is a fantastic and stylish alternative.
A roll neck and suit jacket or blazer go well together. Not only does it look stylish, but it will keep you warm, so is a functional choice too.
If you’re looking to put together a smart casual outfit for a night out, teaming up a roll neck sweater with a suit works well.
Outfit
- Navy Blue Suit, blazer & trousers
- Beige or light roll neck sweater
- Brown Oxford Shoes
3. Roll Neck With A Suede Jacket
A suede jacket is one of my favourite things to wear when the temperature drops. They’re really thick and heavy, and are a good option for a shorter jacket when the temperature drops (Just be careful it doesn’t rain).
I wore my navy suede jacket with my merino wool roll neck, and think it’s a good outfit choice.
The light cream colour of the knit is complimented with the jacket, and it’s warm enough to wear in the crisp spring, autumn and winter.
I would wear this through the day or on an evening, providing it doesn’t rain.
Outfit
- Navy suede jacket
- Off white Roll Neck Jumper
- Dark Pair Of Jeans
- Brogues
4. Roll Neck Jumper Under A Leather Jacket
Another good choice of jacket is a leather jacket.
If you’re looking for something to wear under your leather jacket in the colder months, the roll neck suits it well.
A leather jacket is usually a more casual item, so the turtle neck knit will dress it up, giving the overall outfit a smarter edge.
This combination is good for a night out if you’re doing something casual such as drinks with friends.
Outfit
- Black Leather Jacket
- Merino Wool Roll Neck
- Black Jeans
- Black Derby Shoes
5. Layering With Other Pieces
The versatility of the roll neck makes it a good piece of knitwear. You can wear it with almost anything, and it will always look good.
I have even layered one of my roll necks with a football shirt, usually a sporty and casual piece of clothing. I think it gave the look some individuality, and looked perfectly fine.
Outfit
- Navy Cotton Roll Neck
- Football Shirt Over The Roll Neck
- Indigo Jeans
6. Wearing A Roll Neck On It’s Own
You can wear the roll neck on it’s own perfectly fine. Knitwear is usually a cold weather option, so you’ll usually be wearing some form of outerwear with it.
If, however, you’re indoors, you can wear a roll neck perfectly fine without an additional layer.
This makes it a good piece when you want to wear something smart on the weekend. If you’re going to an indoor event or to someone’s house, you’ll arrive in style wearing a turtle neck.
Outfit
- Grey Roll Neck Jumper
- Dark Blue Jeans
- Brown Brogues
How To Wear A Roll Neck Jumper
- Wear it as a smart casual piece with an overcoat
- Dress it up with a suit
- Go for merino wool if you’re looking to layer
- For a timeless look, choose a classic roll neck over a mock neck
- Pick a colour palette which works well together
Types Of Roll Neck Jumpers
First of all, it’s important to understand that there’s different types of roll neck jumpers. They’re slightly different styles and takes on this piece of knitwear, and they include:
- Classic Roll neck
- Funnel Neck
- Mock Neck
Here’s the differences between the three most common types you’re likely to encounter.
Classic
The classic roll neck is the best style to have. It’s traditional, and the most known of all the types of roll necks.
As the name suggests, there’s a long, funnel type of neckline to the jumper, which you style by rolling it back onto itself. You usually roll back the fabric once, hence the name roll neck.
This is by far my favourite style, and what I recommend. You can wear it this season, and know that the timeless piece will last for a long time.
Funnel Neck
A funnel neck differs from the classic roll or turtle neck, as you don’t need to fold this one over. The jumper has a high neckline by design, which can be a fitted or more loose style.
This is still a stylish choice, and offers something different to the classic roll neck.
Mock Neck
A mock differs once again, but has the look of a roll neck. It has a high neck line, but usually slightly lower than the classic roll neck. The biggest difference it that the neckline is not rolled over, and just has the look of it being rolled.
This is usually done with stitching, so it appears to be rolled.
Types Of Materials In A Roll Neck
When it comes to the materials of a roll neck, they’re similar to that of any old sweater. You can get wool, cotton and man made fibres such as acrylic and mixes of polyester. If you’ve read my best mens jumpers guide, then you’ll know what they are already.
The materials you’ll find for roll necks include:
- Fine Merino Wool
- Lambswool
- Heavy Knits
- Polyester, Mix Material & Man Made
- Cotton
Fine Merino Wool
Fine merino wool is a really nice fabric for a knitted jumper. As the name suggests, it’s very fine, tightly knit and can be light weight.
It’s the perfect wool for when you want to layer.
Since you won’t see what’s under your roll neck, you can wear a T-shirt as a first layer, if you’re feeling the cold.
Lambswool
Lambswool is usually thicker than merino, and once again is a really nice wool. If you want something a little thicker than merino, this would be the choice to go for.
It’s usually more affordable, and tends to be more robust.
Cashmere
When money is not an object, cashmere is the choice of wool. You’ll have to decide yourself if cashmere is worth it, but I think it is.
Whether that’s in a roll neck or other sweater will depend on how much you intend on wearing them.
Chunky Heavy Knits
If you prefer your knitwear chunky and cosy, a heavy knit might be something you are looking for.
There’s plenty of roll necks in a chunky style, usually made from wool and other fabrics. Cable knit is a popular choice which really adds dimension to a look.
Polyester, Acrylic & Mixes
For more affordable options, acrylic, polyester and other mixes are the fabrics you’ll come across. Not as good as wool or natural fibres, but usually cheaper alternatives.
If you want to join the roll neck trend without spending a lot, this is usually the material.
Cotton
I have a cotton roll neck, and I love it. It’s a thick cotton, which is really soft to touch. Think of this like a long sleeve T Shirt with roll neck.
They are really nice, but in terms of style, are more of a long sleeve tee than a sweater.
If you want the roll neck style without the wool feel, this is the way to go.
Verdict
When it comes to dressing fashionably, wearing a roll neck jumper is a stylish choice. If you don’t already own one of these sweaters, you should consider it.
They’re a versatile piece of clothing which can work well in a number of seasons. It’s a wardrobe essential which you can get in a variety of colours to put together easy to wear outfits for your daily wear.
You can check out more fashion tips if you’re looking for advice on what to wear or how to style your wears.
