Special feature on men’s outfits with high neck tops! Types and tips on how to wear them!

High necklines refresh the impression around the face depending on the height of the neckline. In this issue, we focus on such “high necks” and pick up stylish outfits and recommended items that incorporate popular turtlenecks and mock necks!

What is a high neck? How does it differ from a turtleneck?

High neck” is a general term for items with particularly high necklines, such as sweaters and shirts. In Japan, however, the term “high neck” is used to describe an item with a raised neckline that is usually worn without the collar folded back. Another major difference is that the term “turtleneck” basically refers to sweaters, while “high neck” includes a wide variety of items that can be used as innerwear, such as sweaters and cut-and-sewns, as well as outerwear such as fleece jackets and down jackets.

Click here for details and purchase

Are there different types of high necks? Check also neck designs with similar shapes.

In this section, we introduce neck designs that belong to the high-neck category!

High Neck

This neck design is commonly referred to as a high neck. It is characterized by being high enough to cover the neck well, though not so high as to fold back. Incidentally, until a decade ago, there was a perception that mock necks had higher collars.

Find high neck knits

Mock Neck

A mock neck is a neck that stands up along the neck. It is sometimes called a half-neck. The word “mock” means “false,” and the term “mock turtleneck” was coined to refer to the fake turtleneck, which was then abbreviated to “mock neck. The height of the collar of a mock neck varies, but nowadays, a mock neck is usually low, and at the highest, it is about mid-neck.

Find mock neck knits

Bottle Neck

A bottleneck is a design in which the collar stands up narrowly like the mouth of a bottle. It is not as high as the other types of high necklines and has a more clean, sleek look. In menswear, it is sometimes used synonymously with mock neck.

Find Bottle Neck Knitwear

Funnel Neck(Funnel Neck)

A funnel neck is a neck design that covers the neck in a high, tubular shape. Funnel means funnel, and it is characterized by a wider collar than other types. Therefore, it is recommended for those who do not like pressure around the neck. Basically, this design is often seen in sweaters, but it is also often used in outerwear.

Find funnel neck knitwear

What are three tips for wearing high neck items?

Tips for wearing high neck items (1) “Choose items that match the season.

High necks are expected to be used in spring, fall, and winter, except in summer and when the sun is strong, when you want to feel cool and relaxed by exposing skin. It is essential to choose items with high necks that are appropriate for the season and incorporate them into one’s coordinate. The higher the neckline is, the less skin is exposed, which is ideal for bringing warmth to the neck area, but not for when you want to avoid heat and humidity and feel cooler. For this reason, in the fall and winter, wool turtlenecks with a tight fit are the mainstay, while in the spring and when light clothing is the norm, it is a good idea to use mock necks with a neckline that is not too high.

Tips for wearing high neck items (2) “It is always a good idea to match the color of the outerwear when using it as an inner layer.

Regardless of whether you use a turtleneck or a mock neckline, it is always a good idea to match the color of your outerwear when using a high neckline as an inner layer. Of course, it is possible to emphasize the contrast by combining a high neck with outerwear in a different color, but in this case, the impression will depend on what colors are used, and if done poorly, the combination may look clumsy, so be careful. If you want to enhance the sophistication of the coordination while creating a sense of unity in the upper body, matching the colors of the high neck and outerwear is a safe and smart way to dress as an adult.

Tips for wearing high neck items (3) “Wear it elegantly as the leading top with a loose-fitting item that does not pick up the lines of the body.

If you are going to coordinate a high-neck knit or cut and sewn top as the main top, it is important to wear an item with a loose silhouette that does not pick up the lines of the body, and to wear it elegantly. Of course, oversized items are out of the question, but just-fit or loose-fit items with a certain amount of leeway in the silhouette will look more relaxed and modern. On the other hand, tight-fitting items that pick up the lines of the body emphasize the body itself more than high necklines, and may detract from a beautiful, elegant, and sophisticated impression.