STYLE GURU STYLE: Turtlenecks Winning the Fashion Race

January 16th, 2017 at 2:00am

I thought writing about my own style for my first article would be a fun way to kick off the semester, partially so you guys can gain a good understanding of my personal taste and partially because I’m not on campus right now, so finding a fashionable stranger on the streets of Groton, Massachusetts seems like a bit too much of a challenging task.

If you cringed at first sight of the turtleneck’s reemergence like I did, you might find yourself more comfortable among the form-fitting varieties of the high-necked sweater. In these shots, I’m wearing a gray turtleneck sweater from Urban Outfitters. I buy most of my clothes from Urban Outfitters, because while it can be a bit pricey at times, I find the clothes are of a higher quality than the trendy, fast-fashion shops with lower price points that compete with it. For a winter as snowy as this one so far, cozy sweaters are essential. You can avoid getting swallowed whole by one, however, by choosing a style with a trendy addition like a turtleneck or a choker cut-out if that suits your taste.

To further offset a chunky sweater like this one, I recommend skinny jeans with a bright wash that will contour and accent your curves and body’s natural shape. These high-waisted skinny jeans are from American Eagle Outfitters, but these are a similar option if you’re interested. If you choose high-waisted jeans, staying away from the mom jean style in this particular case will allow you to avoid an overly baggy or frumpish appearance.

My boots are from Nine West, and they’re looking a bit old. Ideally, I’d like to complete this look with a pair of black booties with a more defined heel–and a buckle-less harshly reminiscent of the Mayflower. A Chelsea boot could work here, but I personally think a higher heel and sleek black finish ties the outfit together more consistently. I finished the look with a red purse from Dooney & Bourke.

My favorite part of this look is its versatility. I’ve worn it to work, out with friends, and to classes. I often wear dresses or skirts with tops because I find ample possibilities to layer and mix-and-match pieces; for this reason, I stray from wearing combinations of pants and tops because jeans are expensive and wearing the same pair repeatedly becomes boring. Despite my struggle to stay fashionable with one good pair of jeans, this remains one of my favorite looks that keeps me warm all day long in the harsh winter weather of rural New York or suburban Massachusetts.

If you’re looking to stay warm and chic at the same time or for an outfit that will grant you flexibility in all your activities from morning to night, I recommend something as simple as jeans and a sweater. And don’t be afraid to rock a turtleneck. Your grandmother’s wardrobe staple has reemerged as a trademark of the fearlessly fashionable.

Author

  • VictoriaPietsch

    Sophomore at Cornell University studying fashion design management and communication. Main interests include anything related to dogs, flowers, music, and burritos (keeping my priorities in check, clearly). Hoping to use my role as a Style Guru to inspire creativity and confidence wherever they might be needed.