While scrolling through TikTok recently, I came across a video that rocked my fashion world. In all the three decades I’ve been trading on this earth, I’ve been wrong, and I’ve been wrong. And you probably are too.
That interpretation came in the form of a video created by Mary Orton, a fashion blogger from Wisconsin who has been sharing style tips and outfit inspiration since 2013 on her fashion and lifestyle blog, Memorandum.
In a video, she shared a simple trick to blow your neck.
“Instead of folding the neckline outward so that the edge of the neckline is visible, I often like to fold it inward for a cleaner look,” Orton told HuffPost.
You can watch the video below to get detailed instructions for the turtle neck.
As Orton said in the video, this high neck running top has gone viral and for good reason. Although this styling tip is so simple (no extra time required), it’s not a styling method that most people are familiar with.
“My mom always did that when I was a kid. So it was always a gimmick that I used,” Orton said, “but … when I was an adult, I realized that I hadn’t seen anybody else do it.
And that inspired the creation of the popular video.
Throughout history, turtlenecks have symbolized more than good style.
Aesthetics weren’t exactly a priority when the handle was invented.
According to Sarah Collins, fashion historian and professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design, “Turtlenecks first appeared in the 16th century when knights wore them under their armor to avoid chafing the skin. [by] the chain mail they wore.”
“It served as a protective layer and was not visible on the outside,” he said.
In the following centuries, it was a functional style worn by soldiers during World War I, during sporting activities and by men in the Navy.
As it evolved from a utilitarian staple to a fashion statement piece, turtlenecks also played a role in major social movements—just imagine a few historical figures and you can probably conjure up an image of to an influential person in one.
Throughout history, turtlenecks have been closely associated with anti-mainstream groups, including beatniks, bombshells (like Marilyn Monroe), the Black Panthers and figures in the feminist movement like Gloria Steinem, Collins said.
“There’s definitely a symbolism and a psychology to it because the turtleneck has been associated with a lot of fringe groups and anti-establishment groups, all of which is practical, utilitarian clothing,” Collins said.
Tony Anderson via Getty Images
There are a few reasons why Orton’s way is the best way to roll your neck.
When it comes to wearing leggings, you can create various modern styles by following the advice of rolling them inwards.
“I think it can be an extremely useful gimmick for a lot of reasons, some of which I outlined in the video, but I wasn’t exhaustive in the video,” Orton said.
First, it often makes the turtleneck look more expensive, “because turtlenecks often develop a kind of warbled edge that can make them look cheap or gaudy,” she noted. It’s also an ideal way to puff up your neck if you’re layering things like another sweater, jacket or vest, she told HuffPost and mentioned in the video.
“Another style reason to fold inward is that if you’re wearing jewelry, it just allows you a cleaner canvas to layer your jewelry on,” Orton said. She added that otherwise your necklaces could get lost or get caught in the crease of your neck.
Plus, according to Collins, when you style your turtleneck, it’s “…great for showing off statement jewelry or even drawing attention to small, thin necklaces.” Which makes this tip doubly valuable.
The next tip, which Orton didn’t cover in the video, is a major pro behind the technique and something her followers also commented on: concealing makeup stains.
“So many women, myself included, often decide what to wear the day after getting ready, and then pulling your neck over your head and avoiding any makeup smudges can be an Olympic sport,” said Orton .
She added that you often end up with makeup stains on your neck. But by folding it inward, you can hide those blemishes.
Finally, this styling tip allows you to adjust the height of the neckline, she said. That means you can fold it a little for a high neckline, or fold it a lot — and even double it — for more of a mock neckline, she said.
This trick may not be for all necks out there.
“In the video, I say as a complete joke that if you don’t wear your neck like that, then you’re doing it wrong, and I promise that was hyperbole and a complete joke,” Orton said.
According to Orton, there are a few turtleneck designs that are best wrapped inside out. These include collared sweaters with decorative trim or contrasting fabrics, but also some heavy knit sweaters and some sweaters made from very light fabrics, such as woven t-shirts.
“Wear your neck in whatever way feels good – there really is no right or wrong way, it’s just a good style tip to keep in your back pocket,” said Orton.
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.