Turtlenecks… or more like turkey neck
Hello ladies,
I have a question about turtlenecks:
They used to be my go to item – especially in black. I would wear one practically every day in the winter. Well, now that I am 42, they don’t look so hot on me at all. I feel like they highlight that little bit of loose skin right under my chin and cheeks that you can barely see otherwise. When I see other women I think this about them too…yet everyone still wears them. Is it one of those things that you just suck up and still wear as you get older even though it doesn’t look so hot (kind of like a bathing suit)? I am wondering if I should just bite the bullet and start wearing them again. Or maybe you know of a way to make them look better?
Thanks so much.
AJ
Dear A.J.
Off white can be much softer and suits this gal's silver hair
We wouldn’t suggest wearing anything if it doesn’t look good on you. There’s too many choices out there!
We know what you mean about turtlenecks. As we’ve gotten older they seem to have fallen off our favorites list because they sometimes do give you that turkey neck if you have a lot of loose skin.The contrast between the black up by our faces and our lighter skin and hair can look plain harsh, and actually emphasize every little wrinkle.
That being said there, are still some women who love their turtlenecks, like Diane Keaton. Nobody quite knows what is going on with her, but she wears them so much they’ve become her trademark. Sometimes she looks dull and stiff in them, but other times she can look great. You really have to judge for yourself how it looks on you.
 Diane Keaton in her trademark turtleneck |
 Diane looks darling here! |
I'm going to wear dark brown, rather than a black turtleneck with this.
With all the new chunky sweaters out there, it’s hard to get completely away from turtlenecks. For example, I (Deborah) just bought this great Diane Von Furstenberg wrap sweater that cries out for a turtleneck to wear underneath. My neck is not bad at all, so I can still wear a turtleneck, but a black turtleneck would totally wash me out, so I’m going to buy an espresso brown micro thin turtleneck to wear with it.
If you really don’t like the tightness of a turtleneck pushing up all that extra skin, a great alternative a a cowl neck sweater. They’re very in style right now and because they are much softer looking they are very forgiving on mature gals.
Here are a few we like:
| Neck draping: See how beautifully this drapes and shows off your decolletage. It looks perfect the way it is. Don’t ruin it by wearing a necklace. Only one caution : Make sure your arms are toned before you choose to wear this sweater.(Nordstrom) |
 soft and feminine- a cowl is a nice alternative to a turtleneck |
| Try a cowl neck cape:
Capes adds glamour and we love a touch of glam.They also hide your tummy on those “I feel bloated days”, which is a nice bonus .(Nordstrom) |
 A chic look over black pants |
| Go for Gray:
If you like neutrals, gray is a wonderful alternative to black. It’s just that bit softer and is very in fashion at the moment. (Nordstrom) |
 gray is softer than black |
| Try experimenting with Color:
Not everyone looks good or even feels good in gray. Green can add life, same with purple and red. There’s lots of choices out there. Love the button detail and raglan sleeve on this BCBG Max Azaria Cable detail sweater. It’s different and that’s what you want. (Nordstrom) |
 green looks fabulous on redheads |
| Choose slinky and stretchy:
Don’t hide behind oversized sweaters that hide your body and make you look like a polar bear. Slinky stretchy turtlenecks and cowl necks like this follow the curves of your body making you look much more sexy and modern. Worried about your tummy or bottom? Buy some shapewear. You’ll be amazed how it transofrms your figure. |
 If you have a great waist show it off in a form fitting cowl neck |
| Good way to wear black:
If you want to wear a black turtleneck, but worry about too much black up by your face, try this. It’s a Michael Kors twist front turtleneck. That touch of openess at the neckline brings in more skin and doesn’t make you look like your head is cut off from your body. Very sexy! ( Nordstrom) |
 a new take on a black turtleneck |
thank for this article
Another alternative to turtlenecks is a scarf. A scarf can hide a multitude of sins…lol
Ladies,
I like the bottom , Michael Kors offering best! It’s soft. feminine, modern, simple in design– and as you say “sexy”. The turtle neck like the tee shirt has been a wonderful staple but as you age it constricts the neck –so a good jawline sure helps. I agree (and have blogged)that scarves can easily effect the look of a turtleneck–minus the bondage. Bruno Cucinelli and Loro Piana make gorgeous scarves (a $ splurge for X-Mas?)that are soooo soft—you won’t want to take them off!
PS Diane has never liked her neck–even in her youth and always wore high collars, etc (except notably and happily in “Something’s Gotta Give!”). Agreed- she looks so much better in the airbrushed ad ,lying back (so no gravity pull), and in a lighter color than in the “real” life snapshot.
Best,
Sherrie
Black is my staple color but I’m rethinking that after seeing the pictures of Diane Keaton…hopefully it’s better lighting and a little airbrushing.
Hi Sherrie,
We agree. We love the Michael Kors one!
That’s our taste completely. We wanted to run out and buy one after seeing it.
Hi Mary,
There is definitely some airbrushing going on in that second one. Still, black can make you look like you’ve got one foot in the grave if your skin and hair are fair.
Yes, True….If you have a lot of very loose skin around your neck, then disguise it with a scarf. But for a smaller amount that gets pushed up by wearing a turtleneck -a cowl neck is a good alternative.
Ladies,
I enjoy your articles and postings. However, I don’t understand why your models are generally way UNDER 40 when the whole point of your site is fabulous AFTER 40. If you could use some age appropriate models and some models with a ‘little extra’, that would be great.
You both look FABULOUS, but not all of us do. I would love to see models and ideas for women over 40 who…. well, aren’t size 2 (or even 8)…
Thanks!
I have been noticing this problem for a few years now-am now 55. The Michael Kors is good. I’ve also seen some “split” mock turtlenecks in a few catalog stores that is much more flattering on the older neck. Gives you that lengthening little V. And black-with the exception of the summertime with some tan-afraid it’s over for me. Always stick with charcoal or brown as the other is just too harsh looking against my skin.
Thanks for all the pictures. I need more pictures on your pages. I am fashion challanged! I grew up a tom boy and will always be a tom boy at heart. But at 44 I am starting to feel old and frumpy. I NEED your help!!
I recently lost 100lbs and can now go shopping, but still find myself not knowing what looks good on me.
Hi Lisa,
Congratulations on your spectacular weight loss! We can imagine that you are still trying to dress a plus size body and need help finding out what shape your are now!!! If you want, we can do a private coaching lesson with you. Check out our services or email us with your phone number at: info@fabulousafter40.com
We would love to chat with you and see what we can do to get your wardrobe up to snuff!
Hi Debra Sue,
Great tips.. thanks!!!! We love those split turtlenecks and have seen them at Nordstroms. It is so tempting to wear black as we age, since we think it will make us look thinner. However up on top as you mentioned it can be aging! YIKES… we love color and find that turtlenecks in any festive color can really liven up our face and attitude!
Hi Gwenn,
Great to hear from you.. YES, YES!! We hear you, and so many of our readers do point that out. The sad news is that we just can’t seem to convince any of the stores to use models that are “real”. We are very frustrated with the choice of photos that we can find to demonstrate the points we are trying to make. One day, we hope that retailers will hear our demands and start using over 40 models. Thanks for chatting with us!
Cheers,
JoJami and Deborah
Hi Mary,
LOL.. you are probably right about that, however, the point is still well taken. It is a fun test to go into a well lit dressing room with a black turtleneck and a colorful one. You should see the difference and find yourself drawn to the colorful one. No matter what, we rarely get complimented on a black turtleneck, however when we wear one of a fun color, the raves flow in!!!
Hi Sherrie,
Thanks for the great scarf tips!! Can’t wait to check them out! Yes, you caught us trying to make our point…(obvious, airbrushing…) however we still stick to our guns that a black turtleneck can potentially be aging on some women! Anyway…you have to admit, we ALL have waaaaay too much black in our closets and how fun to be told to try something different!!
Love hearing your voice and wonderful tips here at Fabulousafter40!! Cheers!
Hi Gwenn,
Our models are way under 40 because that’s all that is out there. You see we use pictures from internet catologues and magazines, and for some crazy reason they don’t seem to think that women over 40 buy clothes!
We’ love to be able to find some sites that have beautiful clothes and use 40+ models , so if you find any please let us know! In the meantime, we stuck having to having you use your imagination a bit.
When is the retail and advertising industry going to wake up?
Cheers, Deborah and JoJami