The Roll Neck Jumper

The roll neck jumper is a must have for any sartorially inclined male. It keeps you warm and enhances your natural physic. What's not to like about it? In this post I will present three different types of roll neck jumpers. Every man should own at least one of these.

The (McQueen) Classic Black Roll Neck
Made a fashion staple by Steve McQueen’s tight lipped Det. Lt. Frank Bullitt, in the iconic 1968 movie, the black roll neck is a classic minimalist essential for any well-dressed man. It emphasises the jaw line and shows off the physic.

Steve McQueen with his usual effortless cool, as Frank Bullitt.

Wear it as McQueen did or layer it under a shirt as seen here.


The Cashmere Roll Neck
Equally at home under a suit jacket or as a standalone piece this slightly more upmarket version of the classic roll neck adds additional, warmth and luxury to the roll necks other properties. A cashmere roll neck is also thinnest of the available options meaning it can be layered easy. Cashmeres natural properties also make it exceptionally warm, which makes this one of my go to jumpers for early morning lectures when the weather turns cold.



The Submariners Sweater
The roll neck that started them all, the original was actually a cable knit worn by Irish fishermen. Allegedly each family had its own unique knit, meaning that if a fisherman’s body was ever washed up on shore he could be identified. Later with the advent of the submarine service the navies of the world adopted the sweater as standard issue to the men of their submarine services (see below). To save on manufacturing costs the cable knit was abandoned and the submariners sweater was born. Pared with a pea coat this wholly functional ensemble looks amazing.

The crew of a German u-boat put to sea in 1939.

So slip on a role neck, it was designed to keep sailors warm and will help you combat the cold of student houses in style. Whichever style you choose ensure it fits well and feels great.

If you have a few hours spare then embrace the submariners culture and read Peter Maas' amazing book ‘The Terrible Hours’. Or if you are more of a movie love, watch Wolfgang Peterson’s epic thriller ‘Das Boot’ (the uncut German version of course). I guarantee it will give you a chill no matter how warm a jumper you are wearing.