It's Wool Week, so here's a jumper. These photographs are taken from the latest Margaret Howell campaign, I love the way this quintessentially British designer takes one classic item - last season it was the white shirt, the autumn campaign focuses on The Jumper - and rolls with it.
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| Jumper photos: Koto Bolofo. |
As a student, I adopted a Beatnik/child of the sixties kind of vibe and lived in a second-hand, black leather jacket, M&S polo neck and Levi's 501 jeans. (I think we Brits call this a polo neck and roll neck is the American/more modern term (?)) Sadly, in the olden days there was no such thing as Facebook and I didn't have a camera, so there aren't any photos. Here's one of Jackie O instead.
I am cheekily re-using pictures from a previous post today, but it's Monday morning, I don't want to be late for work and I've already burned my porridge. Let's focus on the practical qualities of the simple roll neck. In cashmere it's a sensual proposition, a chic wardrobe staple and the best way to hide a saggy neck, just ask Diane Keaton:
Think about Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, Yves Saint Laurent's Beat Collection, which upset the couture clients and saw him sacked from Dior, and the other first lady...
The polo neck is so versatile, it works with Capri pants, jeans, khakis, pencil skirts and as Diane Keaton proves layered under a dress. Of course, men can wear polo necks too:
Will you roll with it this autumn?
gorgeous....time to get the needles out I think........ would love to meet up!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I can't tell you how many black polo necks I have, and I always feel well-dressed when I pull one on; even if it's just with jeans. Lovely post xx
ReplyDeleteYou are so fortunate to have beautiful woolens made in the UK. Just about everything we get here in the U.S. is made in China.
ReplyDeleteYes...a staple in our wardrobes for sure!! I love that shot of Diane Keaton!
ReplyDeleteWe Americans call it a turtleneck. A polo is the open-collar-with-three-buttons that made Ralph Lauren's fortune. A roll neck is those lines on my neck (I think). Didn't realize there was such a difference in our English.
ReplyDeleteAs michellebeth said, we call it a turtleneck in the US.
ReplyDeleteI love them on women, not so much on men. It's going to be in the 90's again in Los Angeles - will I ever wear Fall clothing?
love a black polo neck, love the Margaret Howell take.
ReplyDeleteI roll with it every autumn/winter. I love them. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteI have always liked polo necks and they seem to suit me. Don't think I'll persuade my husband to wear one though!
ReplyDeleteI need a new one. Depending on how generous Santa is it could be cashmere, if not merino wool....
ReplyDeleteReading the comments from our US mates, a turtleneck is a single stand up neck whereas a polo (or rollneck) folds over.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a large part of my uniform in the 1980s and, unlike you, I found some photos of me wearing it lately and looked bloody awful. That much black made me look like death (even with a tan) xxx
I totally will:) It's cozy and stylish. Have a beautiful evening, darling.
ReplyDeleteDonna - the Margaret Howell jumpers are made in Scotland. Gorgeous aren't they?
ReplyDeleteMichelle/Kathy - I'd completely forgotten about the term 'turtle neck.' Maybe a roll neck is just our more modern way of describing a polo neck(?) We call the Ralph Lauren tops polo shirts but we also have the polo/roll neck. Confused?!
Vix - oh I'm sure I looked like a corpse.
I'm a bit nervous about turtlenecks although very grateful for them in winter, especially cashmere ones. But they can make it really tough to release any, um, sudden influx (or is that output?) of heat. I've found a few tissue-weight ones in a cash-merino blend that are really useful.
ReplyDeleteI think it is never cold enough here for a polo neck. I always carry with me a cotton scarf in winter.
ReplyDeleteLovely to get your comment, my dear friend.
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I love the leather top of dress you are wearing. I am not a great black lover, but I always have a black jumper and I also have two black polos, pure wool perfect for the cold winter days.
ReplyDeleteI've been pairing my black roll neck with my summer coral colored jeans, black jacket and black flats. I wanted to extend the time that I can wear these jeans which I have come to adore. I don't wear many roll necks because if you are endowed, they can make you look more so. But black is always a staple for me.
ReplyDeleteGreat. Love a polo neck as does Mr Neutral Territory too. Fab pic of Diane K. x
ReplyDeleteCherie,
ReplyDeleteI could open a boutique of "turtleneck" sweaters. I prefer "roll-neck" or "polo neck" -- we even have "mock" turtles. Makes one think of mock turtle soup.
Congratulations by-the-way on your new association. They're lucky to have you.
Don't forget the door is always open chez moi.
xo,
Tish
I live in polo necks in this country! I am eternally grateful for their warmth, versatility and chic-ness.
ReplyDeleteIn Australia we call the style you've shown a polo neck (as opposed to the polo shirt) and the turtleneck is a much bigger affair - tends to roll down and be more voluminous.
ReplyDeleteI have a short neck so the polo looks dreadful on me. When I was younger I liked them because they always make you look bustier than you are (in my case, not at all!). This is not always a good thing, of course ...
But yes, if you look like Audrey or Diane Keaton, they are the epitome of casual style.
Now that you mention it, I think I might!! It's a great look. I did turtle necks back in the day, but they're not as flattering now. Love all the photos.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture reminds me of my childhood fear of pom-pom hats -- pom-poms make it so easy for mean kids to snatch your hat! They're like hat handles :-(
ReplyDeleteI wore polo sweaters in my early 20´s.
ReplyDeleteThen, suddenly they started to irritate me; physically ( itching ) and psychologically ( felt caught in a trap ).
I prefer a loose neckline and rather cover my neck with a scarf or shawl.
Your first picture looks very cute.
I have nothing against polos on others.
i love polo neck jumpers, here in ireland its so cold and draughty they are perfect for the winter. good post. lucyx
ReplyDeleteI used to do the Levis, black polo neck and leather jacket too - timeless and perfect. I don't go for the fitted polo neck anymore (just doesn't seem so flattering on me now) but I do really like the more chunky lose fitting style, long lenth too.
ReplyDeleteDiane Keaton in 'Somethings Gotta Give' is so hilarious in her polo neck, even Jack had to ask why she always wears them (and then proceeds to rip it off!).
I've almost no neck at all and a more ample chest than I'd like ... but I've always been envious of this look. Classic.
ReplyDeleteOnly wish I could....polo neck sweaters, especially ribbed ones, are an absolute no-no for anyone with a larger bust (yes, even in black).
ReplyDeleteI so wish I could wear Margaret Howell - i have a fantasy alter ego who dresses classily instead of shopping mainly at Zara
ReplyDeleteAs a student, I adopted a Beatnik/child of the sixties kind of vibe and lived in a second-hand, black leather jacket, M&S polo neck and Levi's 501 ... polosweater.blogspot.com
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