Turtlenecks are a comfy fall must-have—but is it the first thing you think of on a gorgeous red carpet? Probably not. Unless you’re Phoebe Philo or Steve Jobs, this sweater is what you’d normally wear on a crisp, casual fall day. In Hollywood, however, A-listers are now bringing covered silhouettes to the carpet, opting for surprisingly chic turtleneck dresses. This is one of the unlikely trends this season.
The official turtleneck trend kicked off at the Oscars in March, when Zoë Kravitz wore an original white Saint Laurent turtleneck to the official gala. The back is completely exposed, making it feel sexier and more suitable for evening activities. Since then, the turtleneck shape has continued to climb the steps and repeat. Fashion star Jodie Turner-Smith wore Christopher Kane’s black dress with stretch cutouts at the Bardo premiere in London earlier this month. The shimmer on the skin makes it feel completely fresh.
Recently, Kaia Gerber attended the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, wearing Alaïa’s slinky, high-neck gown with a pleated waist for more flattering and form-fitting. If you need more convincing, fresh looks are also trending on the fall runways. The sophisticated turtleneck gown has guest appearances at The Row, Fendi and Saint Laurent.
The key to following the trend? Look for dresses with a prominent shape or shimmering skin to make them feel modern and celebratory. A pair of heels and a great evening clutch will definitely help. The vibe here is less of a “happy fall walk in the park” but more of “make the paparazzi crazy”.
Below, more stars embrace the sexy turtleneck dress trend.
