Roll-neck? Turtleneck? Polo neck? Skivvy? The pullover with a long rollable neck. What is it called? What does it look like? Where did it come from? And how should you wear it?

The pullover with a long rollable neck is often referred to as a roll-neck, turtle neck, polo neck or a skivvy. The name varies depending on where you are on the almost round globe we call Earth. In Europe the garment is most often referred to as a polo neck or a roll-neck, in the USA and Canada as a turtleneck and in Australia as well as New Zeeland as a skivvy.

A roll-neck is typically a pullover with an long rollable collar, however, there exists a variation. The mock roll-neck is a slightly modified roll-neck. The difference is that you don’t actually roll the mock roll-neck, instead, the collar has a soft seam at the top, giving you the impression of a roll-neck but without the fold.

History

The roll-neck has been worn for many centuries in Europe, dating back at least to the 15th century. Some argue that the roll-neck originated from the garment knights used to wear under the armour in order to protect them from both the armour as well as serve as padding under the armour.

While it was mostly worn by servants, the lower class, various athletes, sailors and naval officers during the 19th century it was later, in the 20th century, adopted and associated with academics, philosophers, artists as well as other intellectual people. The roll-neck became, as an example, a symbol for the french philosopher Michel Foucault. Moreover, due to the popular actors Marcello Mastroianni and Yves Montand wearing them on set, it gained popularity with the rich and young upper class men.

During the first and second World War, the British Royal Navy issued wool-pullovers with a long rollable neck. It’s nowadays known as a roll-neck. These were meant to be used in cold and frigid weather, and proved especially useful during the cold Atlantic convoys transporting essential goods as well as when watching the cold seas.

How you wear it

The are an incredible amount of ways you can wear a roll-neck, ranging from formal to casual. A roll-neck looks especially good on men with a longer neck, since the collar cover the majority of the neck, thus making the neck look shorter.

Wear it with a suit. Combining the roll-neck with a suit gives you a formal look, although not as formal as suit and a tie.

Wear it with a blazer. Wearing a roll-neck with a blazer is not as formal as wearing it with a suit.

Wear it with suit pants (and a casual jacket). A roll-neck goes great with suit pants as they both are considered more formal clothing (although it should be noted that it also depends on the roll-neck you’re wearing). This is even less formal than wearing it with a blazer. Throw on a casual jacket, like a bomber or leather jacket and you got yourself a casual look with that extra patazzzz.

Wear it as it is. The roll-neck looks really good just as it is. It is clean, it is neat, and it gives you that intellectual look. A roll-neck can really elevate a, otherwise, mundane style and look.

The takeaway

The roll-neck is a very versatile piece of clothing with a lot of history. It goes great with different types of clothing ranging from casual to formal. You can dress it up with a suit or a blazer or dress it down with a casual jacket or other casual wear. Try it out yourself and find what fits you and your style!

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