How to Wear a Roll Neck Jumper: Outfit Ideas for Men

 
If you’ve excluded the roll neck from your sartorial vernacular thus far, you’re not alone. The roll neck remains one of the most underrated components of the modern man’s wardrobe. However, the humble roll neck is an essential base garment, providing a versatile option that can be dressed up or down. A roll neck shirt or jumper is characterized by its high, close-fitting neck which is worn folded over. This feature differentiates it from the turtleneck which features a high neck that doesn’t fold. The roll neck makes for a seasonally and sartorially transitional garment, as they can be worn from Autumn through to Spring and take you from drinks with the boys to the boardroom.
 

History of the Roll Neck

Also referred to as a ‘polo neck’ or ‘skivvy’ for the Aussies, the exact origin of the roll neck is dubious. However, the general consensus is that roll necks have been around in some form since the 15th century. Initially worn as a functional item, skivvies were popular with athletes, sailors, naval officers, and menial workers from the late 19th century onwards. However, it was playwright Noël Coward’s adoption of the polo neck in the 1920s which set the garment on its path to notoriety. Since then, high-necked tops have been sported by the likes of Steve Jobs, Steven Hawking, Andy Warhol, The Beatles, Steve McQueen, and many others.

Roll Neck Materials 

Fine

Despite typically being seen as a heftier item, polo necks aren’t just sweaters and jumpers. Form-fitting polo necks in light materials like temperature-regulating merino wool and fine cotton are the perfect base for layering on winter wear or can be worn by themselves in the warmer months as a sharper alternative to a long-sleeved T-shirt. Roll necks in fine materials allow for more experimentation with brighter, on-trend color palettes.

Mid-Weight

A mid-weight high neck is perfect for navigating those not too hot, not too cold days. Thicker cotton and soft cashmere make comfortable staples that can be worn atop chinos for a casual look or with a suit for business occasions.
 

 

Heavy

The archetypal roll neck in a heavy wool knit provides the perfect winter solution. You can dress a heavyweight polo neck up or down. An oversized woolen knit high neck worn with slim-fitting chinos and Chelsea boots make an easy casual outfit. Meanwhile, a thick cream high neck worn under a navy suit with brogues provides an apt business formal sartorial choice.

Roll Neck Outfits

Roll Neck and Suit

For business casual or a twist on cocktail attire, ditch the traditional button-down shirt. Choose a roll neck shirt instead, as a skivvy worn tucked into a suit forms a sleek silhouette and makes for the perfect tie-less office getup. In order to avoid wrinkling under your suit, select a roll neck in fine merino wool. Stick to a neutral color palette as this works best with formal tailoring. Roll necks work particularly well under double-breasted suits. Try color combinations like a grey double-breasted suit with a black skivvy or a tan skivvy worn under a dark brown pinstripe suit.

All Black Roll Neck Outfit

All black is consistently an effortless way to style almost any garment; the roll neck is no exception. As the color palette is a given, feel free to experiment with textures and layers. Try pairing a black cashmere polo neck with a slim-fitting woolen suit, and rounding it off with an overcoat and tassel penny loafers for an effortless, yet chic smart casual winter look. For a more relaxed vibe, opt for black sweatpants and leather sneakers with a lightweight skivvy.
 

Roll Neck and Jeans 

Pair the versatile roll neck with everyone’s favorite wardrobe staple – jeans. Pinroll your jeans and team dark denim with a camel or tan roll neck, brown boots, and a white teddy coat. Or, pair a simple neutral skivvy with a jewel-toned blazer and jeans to nail that street style look.

Roll Neck and Coat

Statement outerwear can elevate any outfit. Pair a roll neck and slim-fitting trousers with a structured knee-skimming coat in a neutral shade of camel or beige. Alternatively, try a patterned variety like checked houndstooth or tartan. For an edgier look, indulge in logomania by wearing a designer hoodie over your polo neck and rounding the outfit off with an unstructured teddy style coat.

Colorful Roll Neck Outfit

Don’t get stuck in a rut of only playing it safe with a neutral color palette. A colorful roll neck can easily be incorporated into a relaxed or smart casual outfit. Team a baby blue polo neck with black Chelsea boots, black trousers, and a structured grey coat for a cool Friday outfit for the office. To achieve a stylish casual look, opt for a mustard yellow polo neck worn under a loose-fitting pinstripe suit paired with dad sneakers.

Oversized Roll Neck

Outsized, heavyweight roll necks in classic shades like cream, tan, camel, grey, and white are perfect for smart winter layering. Oversized roll necks work particularly well on men with slimmer builds, as they balance out your proportions. Just ensure you don’t go too oversized to avoid looking cartoonish! Go back to basics with an all beige polo neck and loose woolen trousers look broken up by a brown leather belt and an overcoat. Alternatively, opt for a loose-fitting oversized white knit high neck teamed with slim-fitting black chinos, and an oversized black coat.

When to Wear a Roll Neck

Casual 

You can easily incorporate roll necks into casual attire due to their versatile nature. In the warmer months, keep it simple by pairing a colorful skivvy with plain trousers and sneakers, or wear a high neck under a loose, unbuttoned shirt. During the cooler part of the year, try a heavy loose-knit woolen polo neck worn with jeans, a warm overcoat, and boots.
 

Smart Casual

Whether it’s relaxed office attire on Fridays or Saturday afternoon drinks on the harbor, the smart casual dress code can be challenging to navigate. Fortunately, the roll neck provides the ideal base for a variety of situational outfits. Tuck a fine, lightweight skivvy into suiting trousers and wear with a padded nylon vest and Chelsea boots for an outdoorsy, yet office appropriate take on smart casual. Or, opt for a striking white look with a loose-knit high neck worn over slim-fitting white chinos with brown boots.
 

Business Casual

Structured or tailored elements allow you to wear a polo neck in a business environment with savoir-faire. Suiting separates, a waistcoat or a structured overcoat serve to elevate the polo neck to business casual status. Pair with smart leather Oxfords, Derbys, Chelsea boots or brogues.

How to Wear a Roll Neck

• Opt for a fine merino wool high neck with a double-breasted suit for formal attire.
• Balance out a slimmer frame with an oversized, heavyweight polo neck.
• Experiment with different color palettes to mix up your look – try baby blue, mustard, burnt orange, and red skivvies.
• Use polo necks as a transeasonal layering piece. Wear your high neck as a standalone piece in the warmer months and with a blazer or overcoat during the colder months.
• Don’t be afraid to incorporate a polo neck into street style looks – team with colorful outerwear and chunky sneakers.

Alexandra Feiam

Writer

Alexandra Feiam is an experienced fashion writer who holds a degree in journalism. She has an impressive portfolio and expertise working as the Editor at Power Retail and Commercial Content Editor at Newscorp. Ally has been writing for The TrendSpotter since 2018, and her work has been featured in notable publications such as The Herald Sun, Arirang TV South Korea, Kidspot, The House of Wellness, and The Daily Telegraph.