let's roll!

marilyn monroe

Roll necks or polo necks, whatever you want to call them, have rocked back onto the catwalk and into fashion. If you think they're highly un-sexy and shout boring then just take a look at Marilyn Monroe above.  Off screen Marilyn had an understated style but she still managed to look hot as hell!

I used to work with a very talented stylist years ago who made it her mission to get me out of jeans and dress me up.  As we trawled Portobello Road Market in search of clothes for shoots she would hold things up and say, 'you must have this', and I found myself  strangely powerless to resist!  Some of my favourite items from our hunts were cashmere polo necks which not only looked effortlessly chic but they kept me toasty warm as well.  She also marched me into a huntin' shootin' and fishin' type shop somewhere off Regent Street for a 'must have' thermal silk polo neck. Now believe it or not they did look very cool as they were silky and a little bit see thru. Which brings me onto an important point about polo necks-make sure you're wearing a good bra as that's what stops you looking or saggy 'n' baggy and a bit all over the place.  They also look at their best with skinny jeans, slim fit trousers or a pencil skirt.

So lots of reasons why I think polo necks are a star buy for us equestriennes-you can wear them for riding and then whip off your breeches, do a quick change and you're ready to go. 

I've recently discovered the Uniqlo Heattech range - these thermals both feel lovely and look good too.  On extra cold days the polo neck would make a great alternative to a a stock shirt-not only do they give you an extra layer around your neck but because they're so thin they're brilliant if you're finding your show or hunting jacket is a tad on the tight side!

It's also amazing how warm one cashmere sweater can be-which means you can start shedding some layers and stop looking like the michelin man. 

Uniqlo do a good cashmere polo neck in a wide array of colours. The extra good news is that they're on special offer at the moment too!

For beatnik chic a la Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face-love that scene where she dances in a jazz club-the intelligent choice is black. But I prefer white, not only is it good for brightening the complexion on wintry days but I love the way it looks futuristic and reminds me of a fencing outfit-a sort of swashbuckling Princess Leia look!

the queen of cool audrey hepburn in paris shooting funny face 

And if you want to be dinging the trendometer wear your hair in a loose low pony tail and leave it tucked into the back of your polo neck so it looks like a bob.  


Will you be polo necking it this winter?