Sometimes, the best way to dress for the road ahead is to look backwards, at least briefly. The sturdy style staples of yesteryear are as fine of fodder as any for your seasonal wardrobe, especially as far as the essential men’s sweater is concerned. And it doesn’t get much more heritage-minded than the classic rollneck sweater. A variation of the fisherman sweater (sometimes called the Guernsey sweater), you know the rollneck sweater when you see it.
Named for the rolled hem at the collar and the cuffs (and occasionally the bottom hem of the garment), the sweater isn’t one to be trifled with. Perfectly rugged, distinctive, and able to be customized to how the wearer might like to style it (atop a chambray shirt with the collar rolled down, over a thermal henley with the top collar rolled up for added coverage, or perhaps with a kerchief knotted and tucked in – or worn over – the rolled collar). You’ve got options.
There’s a reason Ernest Hemingway famously trusted the dashing Guernsey sweater. It’s impossible to mention the style without evoking memories of Papa, of a time when sweaters were built to last and practicality was woven into every stitch.
These days, the rollneck is a heritage-minded style statement that’s also a touch preppy. Of the style in question, J. Crew Chief Marketing Officer Julia Collier said the silhouette is “a timeless piece that represents classic American style.”
Look for options made from cotton or from wool blended with other fibers. And look for options in plenty of classic and neutral colors, then layer up accordingly and make the handsome, pleasingly rugged rollneck sweater entirely your own.
Photo via J. Crew
J. Crew 1988 Rollneck Sweater
J. Crew’s rollneck sweater has gone through various iterations since first being introduced in 1988, and the iconic American fashion brand just brought back a revamped version in fresh colors this fall. Part preppy and part countryside-ready, this sweater is a handsome homage to the original. It’s also made from soft yet sturdy cotton for seasonal layering aplenty.
Photo via Finisterre
Finisterre Barents Sweater
Finisterre’s brand sprang from gear needed by coastal surfers to stay warm post-session in Cornwall, England, and they’ve met the mantle in rugged, sustainable fashion across more than two decades of production. They even named their wool-and-recycled-poly version of a rollneck sweater after a stretch of the frigid Arctic Ocean, but you should feel free to wear yours comfortably in front of a blazing fire.
Photo via Buck Mason
Buck Mason Heritage Guernsey Rollneck Sweater
Buck Mason is among a crop of brands with a serious sense of respect for the past. Some styles, like the best rollneck sweaters, are a timeless classic for a reason. The company says its take on the style dates back to the 1600s and traditional fisherman knits of the time, which is quite the talking point the next time you layer up this handsomely rugged number. And yet, the brand’s use of merino wool makes it feel fresh and modern, rather than stuffy.
Photo via L.L. Bean
L.L. Bean Organic Cotton Waffle Sweater
There’s a sense of tried-and-true durability to L.L. Bean menswear, not unlike the brisk fall and winter seasons that helped shape the famously steadfast New England brand. Its organic cotton waffle sweater might use modern fabrication in its production, but the silhouette is utterly classic and enduring. It’s also highly affordable for a sweater of its quality and comes in a vast range of colors and sizes.
Photo via Mr. Porter
Loewe Suede-Trimmed Wool Rollneck Sweater
At $1,500, it’s a bit of a splurge. No way around it. But if you’re looking for a rollneck you can pass on to the next generation, Loewe’s version is knitted from a mid-weight wool in a handsomely chunky stitch. The neck is high and can be rolled to whatever level you like. Don’t overlook the little details, too. Like the contrasting leather braiding at the cuffs.
