How to Rock a Turtleneck

Striped turtleneck: H&M (similar here)  |  Full faux-leather skirt: Chicwish (similar here, here, and here)  |  Black hat: Target  |  Pink studded heels: Torrid (similar here)  |  Gold chain necklace: Forever 21 (similar here)  |  Gold watch: Kate Spade

When you think of a turtleneck, what comes to mind? If it's beatniks, Steve Jobs, or sleezy 80s guys wearing thin gold chain necklaces, then it is time to update your thinking. In my mind, turtlenecks add a touch effortless elegance. Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Diane Keaton all rocked them, after all. And we mustn't overlook their unique ability to simultaneously elongate the figure and accentuate the face.

Keep in mind that the turtleneck has a rich history and is extremely tenacious as it has endured all of its styling ups and downs. It's inception occurred for the valiant objective of protecting knights's chainmail from chaffing their necks. It then became the clothing item of choice for sailors, soldiers, and polo players. Feminists adopted the traditionally man-worn item and during the early 1900s, high necked dresses were all the rage. But the turtleneck was almost conquered by the flapper girls who eschewed modesty in general. Thankfully, style icons such as Audrey Hepburn brought the turtleneck back in all its wonderful glory. And despite the following periods of being worn by existentialists and creepy moustached 80s guys, the turtleneck survived. And now it thrives.

In fact, the turtleneck was seen all over the Fall 2015 runways. It is the ultimate layering item, with the ability to compliment a diverse assortment of apparel. Here are just a handful of styling options:

With a Blazer

Original post here 

With a Sweater

via

With a Vest

Original post here

With a Shirt or Blouse

via

With a Pencil Skirt

Original post here

With a Dress

via

With a Maxi Skirt

Original post here

With Tights

via

With Boyfriend Jeans

Original post here

In the interests of full disclosure, you do have to pay a price for all of this chicness. Donning a turtleneck is like a rebirth. And I don't just mean that you will feel like a whole new person, I mean that putting one on will feel like your head is passing through a birth canal. Then, once you've completely smeared your makeup on the inside of the fabric, and your perfectly coiffed hair has been flattened and disheveled, you now get to experience the sensation of being gently strangled for the rest of the day.

I don't know about you, but that's a price I'm willing to pay to look this fab. If Audrey could endure the neck assailant, then so can I.

Linking up with: Watch What I'm Wearing, Let It Shine, Mix It Mondays, Sophisticated Style, How I Summer, LLALM, Style Sessions, Trend Spin, Confident Twosday, On Trend Tuesday, Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me, WIWW, What I Wore, What I Wore Wednesday, Color and Grace