A black turtleneck is the best sort of basic, unassuming and ultrachic. I own a whole drawer’s worth, and in all the years that I’ve been covering fashion for the Strategist, I’ve heard many strong opinions about who makes the best black turtleneck. So to write the following guide, I talked to turtleneck obsessives to find out about their favorites. I considered the fine line between a turtleneck and a mock-neck, and how tight (or loose) the neck should be. I also started testing turtlenecks myself, judging them on everything from comfort to layerability. Below, you’ll find my picks for the best black turtlenecks for women, whether you’re looking for something classic and fitted or a bit more avant-garde. (Though if black’s not your thing, most of them are available in other colors, too.) And, relatedly, we have a guide to the best long-sleeve T-shirts.

Regular Strategist readers — especially those who follow our Best in Class series — will know we’re focused on highlighting size-inclusive brands. Sometimes that’s easier said than done (for every company that goes up to 6X, there’s a dozen more that stop at large). As much as possible, I included options that come in a wider selection of sizes.