If you opened your closet now and checked out all your tops, what styles and necklines would you find?
Most guys tend to stick to one or two necklines their whole lives without branching out and trying out new looks. And that’s a shame because men’s fashion has come a long way from just boring button-down shirts, plain white tees and grey office suits.
But before you dive into the deeper waters of fashion, you need to understand what’s out there.
So today, we present to you the best necklines for men!
Crewnecks
Crewnecks are the most popular tees, sweaters and jumpers for men. You, too, undoubtedly, have at least a few of these because they feel comfortable and easy.
These t-shirts have a round neckline close to the neck and come in various styles, from oversized to regular to super-tight.
Crewnecks are also the best canvas for graphics and other design elements and are pretty straightforward to style.
This neckline is the first of many, as the original t-shirt from the 19th century also had a crewneck.
How to style a crewneck
Crewnecks are versatile and can be worn for most casual and sometimes even smart-casual occasions.
Pair it with your jeans and a leather jacket for the weekend, wear it under your blazer and with classic chinos for work and pack a few for the holidays with your linen trousers and shorts.
V-Necks
Let’s move on to the younger and more rebellious brother of crewnecks and the second most popular neckline – V-necks.
Initially, these were created when guys expressed a desire for a t-shirt with a collar that does not pop out from under shirts and sweaters.
Later fashion designers caught on to this new style and made it everyone’s favourite for when you want to look stylish yet feel comfortable.
V-neck reputation took a hit in the early 2000s thanks to the deep V cuts exposing half the chest, but today, if you stick to necklines deeper than 4 inches, you’re good to go. You can find stylish examples of V-necks online, according to the Fresh Clean Tees website.
The V-neck tees are great for guys who want to look taller as they create an elongating effect. They also make your jaw look more prominent and are ideal for those who want to show off their gym gains.
How to style a V-neck
V-necks generally look more put together than crewnecks, so they’re perfect for all your smart-casual situations. Wear them with your blazers and even suits (unless the dress code explicitly prohibits it), but even if you pair them with dark denim, you’ll still radiate class!
Henley
The Henley neckline is definitely the most preppy one out of all and has a laid-back yet elegant charm.
It has a plack of 2-4 buttons going down the neck and allows a little sneak-peek to the chest.
Henleys run on the tighter side and are usually made from thinner fabric, perfect for summer. You can, of course, find thicker and knitted Henleys for cooler weather too.
How to style a Henley
You can button or unbutton your Henley as many or as few buttons as you prefer, but the general suggestion is to have at least one unbuttoned.
Wear your Henley with jeans, chinos or cargo pants, but keep in mind that the neckline might not work well with blazers, so stick with a bomber or jean jacket.
Polo
A polo shirt is another preppy neckline that’s probably beloved by your dad and granddad. Polo shirts have a button placket and a small side slit and are considered something between a dress-shirt and a t-shirt.
There are also long-sleeved polos for those cooler days at the club.
The polo neckline is comfortable and allows your body to breathe, yet it is still elegant and suitable even for business lunches.
How to style a polo
Wear your polo shirt with khakis, light-coloured jeans or Bermudas and pair with canvas sneakers or boat shoes (of course!).
You want to keep things light, so don’t be afraid to experiment with colours!
Boat neck
The boat neck is a less common neckline in menswear, but it can be a great style addition when styled right!
The name “boat neck” comes from the French “bateau”, which means the boat and the straight neckline that stretches across the collarbone to each shoulder is believed to have originated from the striped French sailor shirt.
Since these necklines are pretty deep and expose a lot of skin, they’re ideal for summer holidays and days off.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different looks!
How to style a boat neck
Wear it with your joggers, linen pans, chino or cargo shorts and pair with boat shoes, canvas sneakers or even slippers (beach exclusively!).
We recommend opting for light and fun colours instead of dull black or navy.
Turtleneck
Turtlenecks have been super popular in the 90s and are now back with a vengeance. This neckline covers your entire neck, and the top can be rolled down to the collar bone.
It’s ideal for winter or cooler spring days, so everyone should have at least one style for these situations.
How to style a turtleneck
Wear it with chinos, jeans, khakis or slacks. Add a jean or bomber jacket for casual occasions and a trenchcoat or blazer for smart-casual situations.
Mock neck
One of the better necklines for the winter and cooler days is a mock neckline. This way, you can ditch your scarf and not freeze!
A mock neck is a little shorter than a turtle neck, so it’s not as tight, and it makes a fabulous style addition for anyone.
Generally, mock neck shirts and sweaters are made from thicker material.
How to style a mock neck
Mock necks look good on their own paired with chinos, jeans and slacks. For a bolder style choice, you can wear it under a t-shirt, and if you want to go for a sexy professor vibe, we recommend a lovely tweed jacket and wool trousers!