The turtleneck that looks modern and expensive — and keeps my neck warm.

On the bold color-block design that looks like money, the soft turtleneck that keeps out the drafts, the relaxed cut that skims, and the sleeves that cover the arms. Why a small South Carolina family made it this way, and why they're clearing it now.

By Margaret Ellison · Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Posted September 2026 · 6 min read

I am 63 years old, and I had all but given up on turtlenecks. The warm ones were dowdy, in the same tired colors, and made me feel every one of my years. The stylish ones were thin and did nothing against a draft. And nearly all of them clung in exactly the places I would rather they didn't. Warm, modern and flattering never seemed to arrive in the same sweater.

What I wanted was one turtleneck that looked genuinely modern — something with a bit of design to it — that kept my neck warm, skimmed over my middle instead of clinging, and covered my arms. Warm, and stylish, at once.

Then a woman in my church group here in Mount Pleasant came in wearing the most striking black-and-white knit, looking modern and pulled-together and completely herself. I asked her about it. She laughed and told me to read the Clarke family's letter first.

The Clarke family runs a small boutique here in South Carolina, family-run since 1986 — three generations, mother to daughter. The sweater is called the Alessia, and their letter walks through the handful of things they refused to compromise on. I am going to let their words carry it, because they say it better than I could.

1A bold, modern color-block design

We built the Alessia around a bold black-and-white color-block design — clean, graphic and modern, the kind of piece that looks like it cost a great deal more than it did. Not another tired, dowdy turtleneck; a genuinely stylish one that has people asking where you found it.

2A relaxed cut that skims

We cut it relaxed and a touch oversized, so the soft knit drapes and skims over your middle instead of gripping it. All the ease of your coziest sweater, with a shape that still looks modern and put-together.

3A turtleneck that keeps the drafts out

We gave it a soft, folded ribbed turtleneck that sits warmly around the neck and keeps the cold drafts out — the warmth right where you feel the chill first. Cozy at the neck, without a scratchy or too-tight collar.

4Sleeves that cover the arms

We gave it a full-length sleeve with room all around, down to a ribbed cuff at the wrist. Your arms stay covered and warm, with nothing gripping them — covered comfort right to the wrist.

5Soft, cozy knit

We knit the Alessia soft and cozy, with real substance to it, so it feels as good as it looks — warm and comfortable enough to wear all day, dressed up or down. The kind of sweater you reach for again and again.

6It fits the body you have

We make the Alessia in three colorways — a striking black-and-white, a classic black, and a soft gray-and-black — and from a size XS all the way to 4XL, cut with a relaxed, easy body. It is meant to fit the woman — not make the woman fit the sweater.

The Alessia, against the turtlenecks you've been wearing

Why they're clearing it now

They priced the Alessia at $149.95 when it launched, and it sold at that price all season. But for America's 250th, the Clarke family wanted to give something back to the women who have kept their doors open since 1986 — so every one is going out at less than half of that.

I ordered mine that evening. It arrived a few days later in a kraft-paper parcel with a short handwritten note from the family. It has become the first thing I reach for when I want to look modern and stay warm.

I do not usually write things like this. But warm, modern and flattering had stopped arriving in the same turtleneck for me, and this one striking knit handed all three back. If that sounds like you, I hope you find your size before it clears.

— Margaret Ellison · Mount Pleasant, SC

This is a personal account from a Clarke Family customer. Margaret was not paid to write it. · The Clarke Family · Family Fashion · South Carolina, since 1986 · Free UPS shipping · 30-day money-back guarantee.