A reader requested I do a post on warm stylish long-sleeve shirts that are not thick sweaters. An excellent request as flattering long sleeve shirts are a constantly desired category of clothing come cold weather, but can be quite scarce. Sweaters, of course, are everywhere in winter, but a sweater can be bulky and doesn’t always fit under light or fitted jackets. Then there are the silky long sleeve blouses that are widely available, but provide little to no warmth. We all need that item that fits in between a chunky sweater and a silk blouse, so I got to work finding you the most stylish long sleeve shirts that will keep you warm in winter and can easily fit under a jacket.
Do I Tuck In A Stylish Long Sleeve Shirt?
As usual, before I jump into all the shopping advice, let’s go over how to wear your stylish long sleeve shirts. Below are answers to the most common questions I get when creating winter outfits with long sleeve shirts… Let’s start with tucking.
Unless you are wearing a crop top, yes, you need to tuck in your long sleeve shirt. It can be a full tuck or a half tuck. If you don’t want to tuck in your shirt, pair your long sleeve shirt with a side zip pant, like Vince’s stitch front ankle pant.
What Outerwear Do I Wear With A Long Sleeve Shirt?
A good rule of thumb with long sleeve shirts is: your jacket must be longer than your top. Since you are tucking in most of these shirts, this shouldn’t be an issue. The exception to this would be pairing a fitted long-sleeve shirt over a side zip pant like I mentioned above. In this case, you can have your top showing up to four inches below the hem of your jacket. Often I use a leather jacket in this case.
Do not wear a lightweight cardigan over your long sleeve shirt. Your shirt’s fabric will bulk up and show through the thin fabric of the cardigan. Instead, wear a heavier cardigan that has the space for a sleeve and can hide any bunching if it occurs.
Some of the shirts featured in this post have puff sleeves or shoulder embellishments. The best jackets for these stylish long sleeve tops are jackets with synthetic lining inside. You want that silky material to slip over that extra shirt fabric. A cashmere or cotton-based jacket or cardigan will catch and grab any excess fabulosity.
Slimming Long Sleeve Shirts: Nic + Zoe
The most slimming style of long sleeve shirts has a scoop neck, is fitted in the arms and breast area, and then flares ever so lightly at the back and belly. This keeps bra lines, back fat and belly activity your private business. This slimming long sleeve shirt by Nic + Zoe has been a massive client favorite for this reason. It’s available at Nordstrom, Amazon, and Bloomingdale’s.
Body type tip: My clients often end up having this hemmed because it is quite long, but this top is great if you are taller with a long torso.
Sizing: Runs true to size. Available in XS-XXL.
Fabric Content: 55% cotton, 35% viscose, 10% nylon
Best V-Neck Stylish Long Sleeve Shirt: Michael Stars Enid Tee
This shirt is available at Zappos, Michael Stars, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom.
Sizing: True to size. Available in XS-XL.
Fabric Content: 48% cotton, 48% Modal, 4% spandex
Softest Stylish Long Sleeve Shirt: Amour Vert
This insanely soft long sleeve shirt by Amour Vert has a long torso and sleeves that work great for taller women. I still wear it as a 5’4″ woman, but I have hemmed the length and scrunch up the sleeves.
Body Type Tip: This top is not great for hiding back fat. If you have extra flesh like I do, wear a bra that doesn’t cut into your flesh, or skip a bra. This “dream knit” fabric is strong enough to give your breasts some shape, but it will show your nipples and offers no support. Long story short, if you are self-conscious about back fat and would be mortified if your nipples showed, skip this top. Runs true to size.
Sizing: Available in XS-XL.
Fabric Content: 94% Modal, 6% Spandex
Best Long Sleeve Turtlenecks for Layering
One of my favorite types of stylish long sleeve shirts is the layering turtleneck. I put these under sleeveless dresses or jumpsuits come winter. In order for this layered look to be chic and slimming, the turtleneck must be a synthetic fabric aka sleek, and tight. Not so tight that you are physically uncomfortable, but tight enough that if you wore it on its own, you would feel exposed. If you try to sport a cotton turtleneck or an unfitted turtleneck underneath a sleeveless dress or jumpsuit it will wrinkle, bunch, add weight, and look unpolished.
Body Type Tip: This looks best on folks with medium to smaller busts.
Best Long Sleeve Crew Neck Shirts for Layering
Although the turtlenecks listed above are insanely comfortable, some people have an emotional or physical aversion to any kind of fabric on their necks. Plus sometimes you just require a crewneck. Here are a few reasons you would want a layering long sleeve crewneck shirt:
- To create a barrier between an itchy sweater and your skin
- As an extra layer of warmth under a sweater
- You want to wear a neck scarf
The two long sleeve crewnecks pictured above are both by Skims. The blue one is 90% cotton, while the white one is a polyamide/elastane blend. Both are excellent for layering.
Sizing: These are supposed to be tight, so order your true size. Available in XXS-4XL
Stylish Long Sleeve Shirt: The Lightweight Sweater
A lightweight sweater is basically a long sleeve shirt. It adds warmth, fits under a jacket, and doesn’t take up much space in a suitcase. This lightweight sweater by Treasure & Bond is one of my favorite sweaters that can mask as a stylish long sleeve shirt. It doesn’t cling to back fat, the rust pecan color works with many skin tones (though it also comes in several other colors), and the soft v-neck is so flattering.
Sizing: Runs large. Order 1-2 sizes down. Available in XXS-XXL
Fabric Content:40% Lenzing™ EcoVero™ viscose, 33% nylon, 25% polyester, 2% cashmere
Most Stylish Long Sleeve Turtleneck
It is rare to find a unique turtleneck like this. The lace detailing on the neck and arms makes it one of the most stylish long sleeve tops in this post.
Sizing: This top can be too fitted for some people’s taste, so order your true size as well as a size up. Available in XS-XL.
Fabric Content: 22% Cotton, 3% Elastane, 75% Polyester
Best Cropped Stylish Long Sleeve Crewneck Shirt
We are all in desperate need of cropped long sleeve shirts to go with our cropped wide-leg pants this winter. Plus, this top comes in a delicious lavender color, and you know I love pastel winter outfits. This cropped long sleeve shirt is available at Anthropologie (in more colors, here).
Sizing: Runs slightly small. Order your true size and a size up to compare. Available in XXS-XL.
Fabric Content: Cotton, viscose, elastane
Stylish Long Sleeve Shirts: Wearing A Cardigan As a Shirt
I recently did a full blog post on how to wear a cardigan as a shirt, but wanted to remind you that this is one of my favorite stylish long sleeve shirt options in winter. This cardigan that can double as a shirt is available at Nordstrom and Dillard’s.
Sizing Tip: True to size. Available in XS-XL and plus sizes.
Fabric Content: 50% viscose, 28% PBT polyester, 22% nylon
The Best Stylish Long Sleeve Shirts For Winter
Below are the rest of my favorite stylish long sleeve shirts that I have recently put on my clients that don’t fit nicely into a specific subheading. I will update this regularly with fresh shopping for you to peruse.
J.Crew Factory Long-sleeve Crewneck Shirt
Sizing: True to size. Available in XXS-3XL.
Fabric Content: 100% cotton
Sioni Mixed Media V Neck Sweater
Sizing: True to size. Available in S-XL.
Fabric Content: Shell: 49% rayon, 29% polyester, 22% nylon; Trim: 100% polyester
Reiss Sienna Ribbed Collared Shirt
This shirt is available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Reiss.
Sizing: True to size. Available in XS-XL.
Fabric Content: 81% wool, 17% polyamide, 2% elastane
Sioni Puff Sleeve V Neck Sweater
Sizing: True to size. Available in S-XL.
Fabric Content: 49% rayon, 29% polyester, 22% nylon
Beyond Yoga Twist Up Reversible Long Sleeve Shirt
This sweater is available at Bloomingdale’s, Zappos, Beyond Yoga, and Nordstrom.
Sizing: Runs large. Order 1-2 sizes down. Available in XS-XL.
Fabric Content: 47% Polyester, 47% Rayon, 6% Spandex
Marine Layer Lexi Rib Henley Tee
Sizing: Runs true to size. Available in XS-XL.
Fabric Content: 95% modal, 5% spandex
Rails Kathryn Button Front Shirt
This shirt is available at Bloomingdale’s, Shopbop, Rails and Nordstrom.
Sizing: Runs true to size. Available in XS-XL.
Fabric Content: 100% rayon
T.La Ruffled Turtleneck Top
This T.la stylish long sleeve shirt is available at Anthropologie.
Sizing: Runs a little small. Order your true size and a size up to compare. Available in XXS-XL
Fabric Content: Cotton, polyester
Bella Dahl Flowy Button Down Shirt
This shirt is available at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
Sizing: Runs large. Order 1-2 sizes down. Available in XS-XL.
Fabric Content: 100% viscose
Stylish Long Sleeve Shirts From Years Past
I originally wrote this post a couple ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos here for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.
Club Monaco Helek Silk Shirt
Sizing: Runs true to size. Available in XXS-XL.
Fabric Content: 100% silk
Open Edit Semisheer V-Neck Dolman Sleeve Sweater
Club Monaco Mixed Yarn V-Neck Sweater
This stylish long sleeve Club Monaco top is available at Nordstrom.
Citizens of Humanity Aideen Long Sleeve Henley
This Citizens of Humanity long sleeve shirt is available at Nordstrom.
