The Rollneck

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J.Crew first launched its cotton rollneck sweater in 1988. Since then, they have reworked the fit and brought it back at least once every decade. The most recent campaign featured the likes of Maggie Rogers, Benito Skinner, and Dominic Sessa, among many others. It was smart, intentional, and wildly effective. Certain colorways sold out within days. I signed up for an in-stock notification and am still getting pinged for restocks. The demand has not let up. To say it worked is an understatement.

According to the J.Crew site, the new fit is more modern, shorter and slimmer, as everything seems to be now. The original rollneck retailed for $89, which somehow feels expensive for the late ’80s and also completely reasonable when you consider the current version sells from $98 to $118. Less than $100 if you catch it during one of J.Crew’s frequent sales.

What I love most about this piece is the fabric. The original was made from 100 percent cotton, no synthetics at all, which explains why vintage versions from the ’80s and ’90s have aged so well. The modern iteration is labeled the “1988 Rollneck™ sweater in cotton,” with no additional material details listed. It does look a bit shiny, so I would not be surprised if there is some acrylic blended in, but that is speculation on my part.

This week, I scoured the depths of the internet hunting for vintage-only rollneck sweaters. The best ones are well worn, slightly misshapen, and sun-faded in a way that cannot be replicated.

If you prefer to shop the modern version, you can do so here. Pay close attention to sizing. Men’s sizes are listed as such, and J.Crew recommends sizing down one size for a comfortably relaxed women’s fit. A men’s small is roughly equivalent to a women’s medium. Women’s styles run slightly big. Personally, I would go for a stripe. It feels more vintage, more interesting, and a little less precious.

xx Lauren

COMPLETE EDIT CAN BE SHOPPED HERE.

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1. XL $89

2. 2. M/L $39

3. 3. SM $49

4. XL $39 (Ann Taylor, not JCrew, same vibe).

5. SM $50

6. XL $190

7. L $120

8. SM $176

9. M $135

10. L $85