17 Turtleneck Hairstyles You’ll Want to Wear All Season Long
When the holidays roll in and sweater weather officially takes over, there’s one surprisingly tricky style dilemma that comes back every year. What do you actually do with your hair when you’re wearing a turtleneck?
We’ve been slipping into turtlenecks since we were kids, but somehow that extra layer of fabric around the neck always manages to make hairstyling feel more complicated. A sleek blowout? It either doesn’t match the cozy vibe or ends up clinging and tangling in all the wrong ways. And let’s not even get started on the static. For some reason, turtlenecks seem to attract more of it than your average knit sweater.
So this year, instead of fighting the fuzz, let’s take a little inspo from the runways. These are some of the chicest and most wearable ways to pair your hair with a turtleneck. They feel effortless and actually work in real life.
Low Twisted Bun
The low twisted bun is one of those styles that feels polished without trying too hard. It sits at the nape of your neck which works perfectly with high turtlenecks since it avoids bulk and friction. It’s neat and practical but still has a soft, romantic touch. This bun keeps your hair secure for the day and pairs beautifully with both chunky knits and fitted tops. What you’ll need: A hair elastic, a few bobby pins, a smoothing serum, and hairspray. Pro tip: Work with second-day hair or use a dry shampoo to add a bit of texture before twisting for extra grip.
Sleek Low Ponytail
A sleek low ponytail is the ultimate easy-meets-chic look for winter. It keeps your hair tucked back and off your shoulders which is great when layering scarves or thick collars. The clean silhouette helps balance oversized sweaters and keeps the focus on your face. What you’ll need: A brush, hair tie, flat iron, and a shine serum or smoothing cream. Pro tip: To keep your ponytail looking crisp all day, finish with a light mist of anti-humidity hairspray to prevent flyaways.
Side-Swept Curls
Side-swept curls bring softness and glamour to any turtleneck look. Whether your curls are natural or styled, pulling them to one side adds a little drama and keeps the texture from competing with your collar. It’s an easy way to switch up your everyday curls without doing a full updo. What you’ll need: Curling wand or diffuser, heat protectant, wide-tooth comb, and a flexible hold hairspray. Pro tip: Use a little serum or curl cream to define pieces around your face and keep everything smooth and frizz-free.
Half-Up Top Knot
If you’re not ready to commit to a full bun but still want some control, the half-up top knot is the way to go. It pulls just enough hair back to show off your neckline and earrings while leaving the rest loose for a laid-back feel. This style gives off a cute and effortless vibe that pairs well with casual sweaters and layered outfits. What you’ll need: A small elastic, bobby pins, and dry texturizing spray. Pro tip: Tease the crown a little before tying your knot to add some volume and make the look feel more balanced.
Brushed Out Curls
Brushed out curls are the bold, retro-inspired answer to turtleneck styling. Think soft volume, lots of movement, and a little bit of glamour. This look is great when you want to wear your curls down but still have them frame your sweater without tangling or flattening. What you’ll need: A round brush, blow dryer, volumizing mousse, and a light flexible hairspray. Pro tip: Gently brush out your curls once they’re set to get that fluffy, airy finish. Use your fingers to shape and separate as needed for extra bounce.
Sleek Center Part with Natural Texture
This center-parted look is super clean and simple, making it perfect for pairing with chunky turtlenecks. It keeps the hair out of your face while still feeling soft and natural. A great go-to for low-maintenance winter days when you want to look put together without trying too hard.
Tucked-Back Volume with Deep Side Part
This polished tucked-back style with a deep side part works beautifully with fitted turtlenecks. It’s sleek and face-framing without feeling too stiff, making it perfect for everyday winter outfits when you need something neat and effortless.
Sleek Side Part with Glossy Finish
A deep side part with a smooth finish adds just the right touch of sophistication to bold winter knits. This look is ideal when you want something structured and sleek that can handle static and layers without falling flat.
Loose Ponytail with Soft Face-Framing Pieces
This relaxed low ponytail with loose tendrils around the face is the definition of easy winter styling. It gives off that casual, lived-in look while still feeling intentional and cute, especially when worn with a fitted turtleneck or ribbed top.
Side-Swept Waves with a Cozy Knit
These soft side-swept waves pair beautifully with chunky sweaters and warm textures. It’s a romantic and cozy vibe that keeps your hair down but styled, perfect for colder days when you still want a feminine touch.
The Bouncy Ponytail
A bouncy ponytail is the perfect mix of classic and playful. It lifts your hair up and away from the neckline, giving your look a polished finish that still feels fresh. The flipped-out ends add movement without clashing with the bulk of your sweater. And if you’re wearing a high pony, it helps visually lengthen the neck so your whole outfit looks sharp and pulled together. What you’ll need: A brush, elastic hair tie, bobby pin, heat protectant, curling iron, and a good hairspray like Matrix Builder Wax Spray. Pro tip: Always prep your strands with heat protectant first. Try Matrix Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Hair Treatment to keep your hair protected and hydrated during dry winter months.
Swishy Pigtails
If your hair is long and super sleek, swishy pigtails are such a fun way to keep it in check while still showing it off. High pigtails help control all that length while adding a little edge and personality that peeks out above your collar. What you’ll need: A brush, small nylon hair ties, and a flat iron if you want that ultra-smooth finish. Don’t skip the heat protectant—Matrix Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Hair Treatment is great for this. Pro tip: Want to keep the look from feeling too sweet? Add texture with bangs or a bit of styling pomade like Shu Uemura Art of Hair Nendo Definer. These pigtails have bounce and swing, without getting lost in heavy knits.
Dutch Braid Crown
If you love romantic styles and wear your hair wavy or shoulder-length, a Dutch braid crown is a dreamy pick. It keeps your strands off your shoulders, so you don’t have to worry about tangles, and the braids add soft structure that complements any neckline. Perfect for nights out or cozy dinners in. What you’ll need: A brush, hair pins, texturizing spray like L’Oréal Professional Tecni.Art Volume Next Day Texturizing Spray, and hairspray. Pro tip: Put on your turtleneck first so you don’t mess up your style when pulling it over your head. Finish with a light mist of Biolage Complete Control Hairspray to keep your look in place without making it stiff.
The Chin-Length Bob
Short hair just works with turtlenecks. A chin-length bob hits the perfect spot above chunky collars, and there’s no fussing with zippers or fabric snags. It’s flattering, draws attention to your face, and gives your hair a chance to reset if it’s been through a lot lately. What you’ll need: A round brush and blow dryer. Pro tip: If you’re after that messy, just-out-of-bed texture, use L’Oréal Professional Techni.Art Volume Next Day Texturizing Spray for soft volume that stays in place.
Styles for Curly and Natural Hair
If your hair is textured, curly, or natural, these three styles are not only super cute but also great for avoiding friction from turtlenecks. First, the high slicked bun. This one keeps your curls up and away from thick collars while creating a sculpted, sleek look. Use a firm-hold gel like Mizani Edge Control Taming Gel for that glossy finish. What you’ll need: A boar bristle brush, elastic, bobby pins, serum, mousse, and hairspray. Next up, space buns. They’re protective and fun, and they work great with layers or oversized sweaters. What you’ll need: A fine-tooth comb, elastics, bobby pins, hairspray, and frizz-control styles. Last, bubble braids. These give your curls shape without tugging or tangling and add some personality too. What you’ll need: A brush, elastic hair ties, mousse, and hairspray. Pro tip: For all of these styles, use a lightweight anti-frizz oil like Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops to hydrate, smooth, and add shine all season long.
Half Bouffant
For a retro touch that feels polished but playful, try pairing your turtleneck with a half-up bouffant. This style gives a little volume at the crown while letting the rest of your hair flow softly. It adds vintage charm to structured necklines and works beautifully with tailored looks. Wear it to a business meeting for a confident, classic vibe.
Tuck In
One of the easiest ways to make your hairstyle feel season-ready is by blending it right into your turtleneck. The tuck in is modern, effortless, and seen all over fall runways. It gives off that off-duty cool look while still looking intentional. Best of all, it takes almost no time to do. Wear it to a breakfast date when you want to look chic without trying too hard.
Glossy Waves
Turtlenecks and glossy waves are such a dreamy combination. The softness of the waves adds contrast to the clean neckline, creating a look that’s feminine and full of movement. It’s a great way to style your hair when you need something that works for both day and night. Wear it to a cocktail party for that extra touch of glam.
Half Bun
The half bun might be low-key, but it’s still one of the best hairstyles to pair with a cozy turtleneck. It pulls the hair back just enough while leaving the rest loose and relaxed. This style gives casual, comfortable energy while still keeping your look pulled together. Wear it to a shopping spree when you’re layering up and heading out.
