How to rock a roll neck this Autumn
September is, without a doubt our favourite month of the year. Style wise, that is. It marks the start of a new and exciting part of the year. There’s a pinch of cold in the mornings, gold-tinged leaves on the trees and we bid goodbye to the sweaty Central Line commute. Don’t get us wrong, we love the summer – but it can be rather style restrictive.
September is like an old friend you haven’t seen in months, you know what you’re in for, you know what you’re getting and you know what to wear. And what you’re wearing is, of course, layers. Think luxe knitwear under wool-blend overcoats and thick-knit jumpers over flannel shirts, it’s the season for effortless off-duty cool.
Autumn also sees the revival of a menswear staple, the roll neck jumper. No longer the reserve of tech geeks, computer whizzes and Oliver Cheshire, who live in their parents basements coding through the night. No. This season dapper gentlemen will be sporting the ever versatile roll neck, so if there’s one piece of knitwear you buy this season, make one of these.
FROM THE RUNWAY
The roll-neck band wagon got rolling back in January at London Collections: Men and the popularity of this wardrobe essential couldn’t have been more obvious. It was wrapped round the necks of models walking for everyone from Agi and Sam, to Gieves and Hawkes. From left to right, as seen at LC:M on Hardy Amies, Pringle of Scotland, Margaret Howell.
But it’s not just a catwalk sample, here are some that should be making an appearance in your wardrobe.
EVENING WEAR
, If there was one stand out collection at LCM in January it had to be Tom Ford – the maestro of modern luxurious evening wear showed us just how a roll-neck jumper can work its way into your evening wear attire. Bid farewell to the shirt and bow tie and welcome in the roll-neck gents.
John Smedley Jumper, £135 from johnsmedley.com
SMART-CASUAL
, Ah! Smart casual, the most infuriating of dress codes. Are jeans too casual? A tie too smart? Why is that man by the bar wearing converse with his flannel trousers, yet his companion sipping a beer wearing polished monk straps with jeans? Dodgy interpretations of your friends aside, it is time to stop panicking and let a roll neck do the work. Dress up like Kent & Curwen (pictured), team a silk blend roll neck with a blazer and slim fit trousers for the perfect take on this trend. And if you’re feeling a bit too far on the smart side of the tracks, then simply slip off your jacket, et voila! Ready for any eventuality.
Grey jumper, £905 from loropiana.com
OFF-DUTY WEEKEND WEAR
, For a lesson on how to wear the roll neck during down time, we turn to the master of off duty cool – Steve McQueen. No other man personified the easy going, thrown together looks that all men should strive for with such ease. And one of our favourite looks of his is undoubtably the roll-neck and biker jacket combination. The timeless combo is perfectly suited to an autumn afternoon on a motorbike racing down country lanes and just as at home in a gastropub on a Sundays with family and friends. Team this waffle textured cream number with a brown shearling bomber jacket and navy trousers for the perfect take on McQueen cool, as displayed by Gieves & Hawkes.
Berluti Jumper, £915 from mrporter.com
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