Sorry, Crewneck Tees—in 2026, Everyone With Taste Will Be Layering Sweaters Like This

For the last handful of winters, one easy layering outfit has reigned supreme—not for special occasions or formal events but for every day. It was centered on two wardrobe staples, white crewneck T-shirts and cashmere sweaters, which you would layer to give your sweaters more depth and intention. It's a trick as old as time. Gwyneth Paltrow, for example, utilized it in her '90s street style, but it became especially present in modern-day fashion after Matthieu Blazy included a look featuring it in his sophomore spring/summer 2023 collection for Bottega Veneta. (If you recall, the model wore tights as pants, another trend that took off in the weeks that followed.) The white-T-shirt styling technique quickly spread due to its ease of re-creation and cool look, and it stayed in my bag of fashion tricks until another layering idea popped up, ready to take over.

Here it is: Instead of layering a crewneck T-shirt under your sweater, try layering a thin turtleneck underneath in the casual, cozy way you'd likely see in reruns of any '80s sitcom. Turtleneck-under-sweater outfits are starting to take over my Instagram and Pinterest feeds as we approach winter 2025, and while I might not have been responsive to it last year, this trick is starting to feel alarmingly chic.

Get the look: White turtleneck + Black sweater + Black belt + Black trousers

Get the look: White turtleneck + Fair Isle sweater + Black midi skirt + Knee-high boots

The first time I saw this styling method and felt spurred to copy it was on London-based creator Marilyn Nwawulor-Kazemaks, who is always ahead of trends and has the kind of everyday style that makes you hit the little save button on every Instagram post. In the span of one carousel post, she wore two different turtleneck-under-sweater outfits, one with an all-black ensemble and another with a Fair Isle sweater and midi skirt. By seeing it two ways, I started to understand the versatility of this hack. It works in every scenario for winter, a season that can be tricky to dress for. It doesn't hurt that it's also quite practical, especially when temperatures really start to dip.

Get the look: White turtleneck + Gray V-neck sweater + White pants + Tote bag + Silk scarf

Don't fret—it works for warmer days too, so you don't have to give up this styling method just because winter ends. I also spotted the look on Elsa Hosk during one of her recent trips to Japan. In photos she posted on Instagram, she wore a white turtleneck underneath a lightweight gray V-neck sweater, pairing the combination with white silk pants and a silk headscarf. The look was breezy and simple yet elegant. Really, what more could you ask for out of your outfit?

If you're as ready as I am to start integrating this styling idea into your winter wardrobe, keep scrolling. Everything you need is below.

Shop Turtleneck-Under-Sweater Outfits