Shh… This Simple Winter Staple Is French Women's Secret Weapon

It's no secret that some people—French women especially—have something special that makes them look sophisticated no matter what they wear. Some call it je ne sais quoi, but we'd argue that it's something else entirely. It's not that the French are innately better than anyone else, but rather, they offer a great deal of intel (and inspiration) on how to approach personal style holistically. We can't all be French, but we can learn from them! One of the main lessons we're often still trying to figure out is how exactly they look so stylish, no matter the weather. After much research, we've realized they all have a secret weapon: an arsenal of staples. More specifically, during the wintertime, they're always wearing black turtleneck sweaters.

Without fail, you can't scroll through social media without spotting this fall and winter staple (for a good reason). A black turtleneck sweater goes with, well, anything. Therefore, it makes sense that this knitwear has become a timeless staple in the minds of fashion lovers everywhere—especially when they find themselves at a loss for what to wear in the winter. But we'd be lying if we didn't admit that this basic can be, well, a bit boring. As the sweater has become synonymous with everyday basics, it's become harder to style it in sophisticated ways. Luckily, when it comes to styling staples, no one does it quite like the French. There's no shortage of examples of how this style set makes this "simple" basic even more sophisticated, so we decided to round up 18 black turtleneck outfit ideas.

Ahead, you'll find examples of how to wear a black turtleneck, styling tips, and shopping recommendations. We've also included a few examples of how women outside of Paris wear this particular knitwear to prove that you don't have to be living in or traveling to France to channel the vibe—you merely need a little black turtleneck.

Black Turtleneck Outfit Ideas From the French Fashion Set

WEAR: Black Leather Trench Coat + Black Turtleneck + Straight-Leg Jeans + Black Heeled Mules

Styling Notes: There's no better example of the innate timelessness of a black turtleneck than the outfit above. It looks super sophisticated even when styled with "simple" staples, such as a leather trench coat, straight-leg jeans, and heeled mules.

WEAR: Black Shearling Jacket + Black Turtleneck + Belt + Miniskirt + Tights + Knee-High Boots + Handbag

Styling Notes: The beauty of a turtleneck sweater is that it can make even the most "impractical" pieces work for colder weather—even a black miniskirt! You can make a mini work for the fall (and winter) by wearing it with a black turtleneck, shearling jacket, thermal tights, and knee-high boots.

WEAR: Black Oversize Turtleneck + Black Belt + Black Sheer Skirt + Black Knee-High Boots + White Clutch Bag

Styling Notes: If you want to make this "modest" staple a bit risqué, wear it with a sheer slip skirt and patent leather knee-high boots.

WEAR: Gold Earrings + White Coat + Black Turtleneck + White Miniskirt + Sheer Tights + Black Knee-High Boots + Black Shoulder Bag

Styling Notes: Make your turtleneck sweater the focal point of your outfit by styling it with a contrasting long white coat and matching white miniskirt.

WEAR: Brown Headband + Brown Sunglasses + Black Turtleneck + Crewneck Sweater + Matching Miniskirt + Sheer Tights + Brown Handbag + Brown Loafers

Styling Notes: In the late fall, when you want to be extra warm but don't necessarily want to break out the full puffer coat just yet, turn to a turtleneck. You can wear the sweater as a base layer underneath a contrasting crewneck—it will prevent you from being cold while ensuring you still look chic.

WEAR: Black Turtleneck + Black Belt + Black Knitted Maxi Skirt + Black Knee-High Riding Boots + Black Tote Bag

Styling Notes: When in doubt, you can't go wrong with embracing an all-black outfit, especially if it includes a turtleneck. But if you don't want your outfit to fall flat, play with textures and silhouettes as a way to add visual intrigue. Try opting for an extra-chunky knitted set with fringe, add a belt to an oversize sweater, or add in patent-leather accessories.

WEAR: Black Turtleneck + Black Leather Blazer + Leather Gloves + Brown Bowler Bag + Black Trousers + Brown Slingbacks

Styling Notes: Not to sound like a broken record, but the simplest way to make this staple even more sophisticated is by styling with contrasting separates (as shown above). You can play with texture by pairing it with a leather blazer and matching gloves or even add different colors in the form of a brown bowler bag or slingback heels

WEAR: Sunglasses + Hoops + Brown Coat + Black Turtleneck + Black Belt + Denim Midi Skirt + Black Tights + Black Mules + Black Tote Bag

Styling Notes: Although turtlenecks can err on the formal side, that doesn't mean they have to feel stuffy. Make this knitwear more approachable by pairing it with an oversize brown coat, denim midi skirt, tights, and black mules.

WEAR: Sunglasses + Black Striped Turtleneck Sweater + Black Straight-Leg Jeans + Two-Tone Ballet Flats + Suede Shoulder Bag

Styling Notes: Who said that all black turtlenecks had to be simple? Frankly, nothing is more French-inspired than a black-striped turtleneck sweater. When you're tired of wearing all-black outfits, opt for this knitwear style with straight-leg jeans and ballet flats. It's a look that will make people think you're French (even if you're not).

Black Turtleneck Outfit Ideas From Around the World:

WEAR: Navy Coat + Black Striped Turtleneck Sweater + Black Trousers + Black Retro Sneakers + Woven Leather Handbag

Styling notes: It's not just the French set that favors a black turtleneck. Around the world, we've seen the fashion crowd adopt this staple
(but can you blame them?). It can elevate everyday items, such as a navy coat, black trousers, and retro sneakers.

WEAR: Reading Glasses + Boxy Black Blazer + Black Turtleneck + Relaxed Jeans + Black Loafers

Styling Notes: If we're being honest, some might consider this sweater to be a little, well, nerdy—despite all the examples to the contrary we've given thus far. Rather than avoiding that fact, sometimes it's best to lean into the geek-chic element of this knit by styling it with preppy separates (like reading glasses, a boxy blazer, jeans, and loafers).

WEAR: Sunglasses + Brown Leather Bomber Jacket + White Button-Down Shirt + Black Turtleneck + White Belt + Gray Maxi Skirt + Brown Ankle Boots + Brown Shoulder Bag

Styling Notes: For those ultra-sheer turtlenecks that are trickier to style, wear them with surplus layers as shown above. Just be sure to pair the turtleneck with a button-down, bomber jacket, and maxi skirt in a contrasting color to make it stand out.

WEAR: Brown Suede Blazer + Black Turtleneck + Black Skinny Belt + Brown Leather Pencil Skirt + Black Knee-High Boots + '90s Shoulder Bag

Styling Notes: Make your black turtleneck the focal point of your outfit by embracing color-blocking. You don't have to embrace the rainbow; rather, style your sweater with a contrasting blazer and skirt in an alternative neutral.

WEAR: Denim Button-Down Shirt + Black Turtleneck + Skinny Belt + White Wide-Leg Jeans + Black Ankle Boots + Black Handbag

Styling Notes: When you want to wear double denim but don't want to look too Western-inspired, add a turtleneck. Not only will it add an air of polish to your overall look, but it can also impeccably coordinate a denim jacket and jeans of different washes.

WEAR: Baseball Cap + Black Turtleneck + Navy Trench Coat + Relaxed Trousers + Frame Handbag + Black Loafers

Styling Notes: Give your black turtleneck an effortlessly cool edge by pairing it with a baseball cap, relaxed trousers, loafers, and an oversize trench coat. It's the perfect formula for looking put together without actually putting in a ton of effort to get dressed.

WEAR: Sunglasses + Gray Cardigan + Quilted Jacket + Black Turtleneck + Chunky Necklace + Belt + Black Straight-Leg Denim + Red Ballet Flats

Styling Notes: When you've invested in a super-cute coat or trendy footwear, it's only natural to want to put on an outfit that makes them stand out a bit more. Consider styling them with all-black separates, specifically, a black turtleneck and matching jeans. It will act as the perfect base to show off a quilted coat and ballet flats (or anything else for that matter).

WEAR: Sunglasses + Black Faux-Fur Coat + Black Turtleneck + Black Wide-Leg Jeans + Black Ankle Boots + Leather Gloves + Frame Handbag

Styling Notes: When it's super cold outside, make this staple even cozier by pairing it with a faux-fur coat, wide-leg jeans, and ankle boots. If you want it to look even chicer, add leather gloves and a structured frame bag.

WEAR: Sunglasses + Cropped Puffer Coat + Black Turtleneck + Black Leggings + Knee-High Riding Boots + Handbag

Styling Notes: Consider this your final proof that black turtlenecks can make anything in your closet look chicer—including leggings, a puffer coat, and riding boots. It proves this piece is the secret to attaining that je ne sais quoi vibe, even if you're not French.