Name: When is the right time to wear a turtleneck?
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When is the right time to wear a turtleneck?

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Skip to main contentIn the way that some people have countdown timers on their phones for summer trips away, I yearn for turtleneck season.I hate summer and all that it stands for. It's too hot. My fringe always looks rubbish and linen gets creased, like, four seconds into wearing it. So far, we're 0-3. I'm what some would call a ‘cold weather enthusiast’ and what others would probably call a basic bitch. I like a signature autumn latte: sue me!But in all seriousness, I can feel my power grow to its fullest form the first time my neck gets given its own little piece of shapewear. Chunky knit! Jersey! Heck, even mock. Nothing compares to creeping that neckline further up your body until you're fully submerged and become nothing but a human ball of wool.Here's the thing, though. In years past, you could reasonably expect to be pulling out a turtleneck at the tail-end of September. But having endured a UK summer that saw temperatures rocket into the thirties (thanks, I hate it), and heat that's lingered well into the time we should all be listening to Phoebe Bridgers and clutching steaming mugs with both hands, it's harder than ever to grasp when exactly is the appropriate moment to get rollnecking. When I asked our office's other resident turtleneck enthusiast, Ben Allen, about when he plans on throwing one on, he said he might “denounce the turtleneck this year” altogether. Tragic. An ally fallen. But these things will happen when the world continues to burn – and to wear one right now would be to laugh in the face of god and meteorologists. So when is the right time?Of course, the staple comes in many forms, so you're not going to be wearing a fisherman knit when people are still waterboarding with Aperol Spritzes. But this isn't about the specific jumper, or the density of the knit, or the desire to look like Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally. Turtlenecks are a statement. They tell the world your clavicle is closed for business, not to be gazed upon until the daffodils are back in bloom.Choosing to wear a turtleneck is less about the actual temperature outside and really more about the vibes. In a very scientific survey (poll on Twitter), I asked people how they feel about the prospect of wearing a turtleneck once autumn rolls around. The pro camp nabbed about 70 per cent of the vote with the anti lot trailing with 30 per cent. When asked to elaborate, most ushered the same sentiment: that being cosy is the best, but it also signifies a goodbye to summer and the only time this country expresses something close to human joy. Others concluded that it's a spectre of doom, a wearable warning of months of frosted windows, SAD lamps and pitch-black 3pms to come.So therein lies the conundrum, because a turtleneck isn't just a piece of clothing, it's a white flag waved in the face of Mother Nature, a surrender to the elements. It's admitting defeat and accepting that this grey and dreary isle is about to make good on its stereotype once again. The long answer to when it's the right time to rock a rollneck lies somewhere in our own personal reckoning with time and space and our place in them. The short answer is probably, like, 12 degrees or something.The best suits under £350 for cheating the sartorial systemFormalwear doesn't always get the amount of wear it deserves, so opting for a wallet-friendly pick might just be your best bet. With that in mind, GQ's edit of the very best in affordable suiting — be it linen, wool, cotton or otherwise — has you (and your wardrobe) coveredThe best shirts for men: from classic Oxfords to statement printsGQ’s edit of the best casual shirts for men spans timeless button-ups in white and blue to the more ostentatious designs of Harago and ValentinoHow to layer clothes like a menswear kingIt's not just about the right amount of clothes – it's scoring the right combinationThe towelling polo shirt is menswear's latest take on its favourite silhouetteThe most stylish way to towel off after a long day at the beach—or a steamy train ride home.Even David Beckham can't resist Percival's linen suitReaching for Percival menswear, it turns out that Becks' favourite linen suit is more affordable than you might thinkThe best linen suits for a lightweight sartorial upgradeSoft, suave and so, so chic, here are the linen suits you should be seen in this seasonSome of the best menswear shops in the UK aren't even in LondonIf you're not in the capital, these are the spots you should hit upBest denim shirts for fuss-free spring layeringAs hardy as they are handsome, a denim shirt has the ability to bring an outfit together like no other. From Cos to Gucci, here’s GQ’s pick of the best denim shirts you can buy

Skip to main contentIn the way that some people have countdown timers on their phones for summer trips away, I yearn for turtleneck season.I hate summer and all that it stands for. It's too hot. My fringe always looks rubbish and linen gets creased, like, four seconds into wearing it. So far, we're 0-3. I'm what some would call a ‘cold weather enthusiast’ and what others would probably call a basic bitch. I like a signature autumn latte: sue me!But in all seriousness, I can feel my power grow to its fullest form the first time my neck gets given its own little piece of shapewear. Chunky...

When is the right time to wear a turtleneck?

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