Every good winter outfit rests on a layer nobody notices first. A fine cashmere turtleneck for women is that layer: close to the body, light enough to disappear under a jacket, warm enough to replace a jumper on mild days. At NAMI, this idea has a name, Second Skin, and a signature fabric, a lightweight blend of silk and cashmere made to be worn all year round. This guide explains why a second-skin knit is the foundation of a winter wardrobe, how to choose one, and how to layer it.
What is a second-skin knit?
A second-skin knit is a fine-gauge piece cut close to the body. Unlike a classic jumper, it is not meant to add volume. It follows the shoulders, the waist and the arms so that anything worn over it, a shirt, a jacket, a cardigan, falls cleanly. The best second-skin knits skim rather than cling, which keeps them elegant on their own and invisible when layered.
Why silk and cashmere?
Cashmere alone is warm and soft, but in a very fine gauge it can pill and lose its shape. Silk brings what cashmere lacks: strength, a subtle sheen and a cooler touch against the skin. Blended, the two fibres produce a knit that is lighter than pure cashmere, smoother to the touch and more durable. NAMI's Second Skin pieces are knitted in 70% cashmere and 30% silk, a proportion that keeps the warmth of cashmere while gaining the drape of silk. It is also why these knits can be worn from October to April and again on cool summer evenings.
Four second-skin shapes, four uses
The fine turtleneck
The most versatile piece of all. A high, soft collar frames the face, and the close fit makes it the perfect base under tailoring. The Second Skin turtleneck is the reference: worn alone with wide trousers, or under a jacket for a sharper line.
The sleeveless turtleneck
A sleeveless turtleneck is the secret of layering under knitwear and cardigans: it gives the high collar without adding thickness at the arms. The ribbed sleeveless turtleneck in pale grey is designed to sit beneath an open cardigan for a textured, tonal look.
The mock-neck tank
Between tank and turtleneck, a soft mock neck offers structure while leaving the arms free. The Second Skin tank top in pale grey has just enough body to stand on its own under a blazer, and a black version for evenings.
The ribbed tank
For the lightest layer, a thin ribbed tank is the most discreet. The ribbed silk-cashmere tank top in cream, inspired by the nineties, works as well under a shirt as on its own.
The whole range is gathered in our Second Skin collection.
How to choose the right cashmere turtleneck
A few criteria separate a piece that lasts from one that disappoints. Composition first: look for a high proportion of cashmere, ideally blended with silk rather than synthetic fibre. Gauge next: the finer the knit, the easier the layering, but it must stay opaque. Fit: a second-skin knit should follow the body without pulling across the chest or wrinkling at the waist; if you hesitate between two sizes, check our size guide. Finally, the collar: it should stand softly without collapsing, and fold down neatly if you prefer.
How to layer a second-skin turtleneck
Under a shirt
This is the most distinctive NAMI layering: a fine turtleneck under an oversized shirt worn open. The collar of the knit rises above the shirt collar and the sleeves peek out at the wrist. The Martin shirt in silk and cotton, with its relaxed dropped-shoulder cut, is made for it.
Under a jacket
A turtleneck under a structured jacket is the most elegant alternative to a shirt and tie. The Natasha jacket, cropped in grey herringbone tweed with a generous shawl collar, sits beautifully over a pale grey turtleneck. More options are in our outerwear collection.
Under a cardigan
A sleeveless turtleneck or mock-neck tank under a chunky cardigan gives warmth at the core and ease at the arms. Keep the palette tonal: pale grey with grey, black with charcoal. Our layering essentials bring these pieces together.
Alone, with tailoring
On its own, a black second-skin turtleneck with wide flannel trousers is one of the purest winter outfits there is. Pair it with the Paisley pants in black brushed wool flannel, double pleated with a wide, fluid leg, for a head-to-toe black look. Explore more in our black and charcoal edit.
Caring for silk-cashmere knits
Hand wash cold with a gentle detergent, or use a delicate wool cycle, then dry flat away from heat. Fold rather than hang. A few small pills may appear at first where the knit rubs; remove them with a cashmere comb and they will become rarer as the fibre settles. Because the blend is light, it also needs less washing than you think: airing between wears is often enough.
Beyond winter
A silk-cashmere knit is not only a winter piece. Because the blend breathes and regulates temperature, a fine tank or sleeveless turtleneck works on its own in spring, under linen in early summer and over a slip on cool evenings. For more ideas across the seasons, read our guide on how to style cashmere year-round.
Choosing a colour for your base layers
Because second-skin knits are meant to be combined, their colour matters more than it seems. Pale grey is the most versatile: it disappears under grey tailoring, softens black and sits beautifully with brown flannel and camel knits. Black is the sharpest and the most urban, ideal under shirts and jackets for a graphic, head-to-toe look. Cream is the most luxurious and the most luminous near the face, perfect with ivory and oatmeal tones; our cream and ivory edit gathers pieces that pair with it. A good starting wardrobe is simple: one turtleneck and one tank in pale grey, and the same in black.
What you wear on top then decides the mood. Over a pale grey turtleneck, an oversized shirt from our shirts and tops gives a relaxed, heritage look. Under a black turtleneck, wide wool trousers from our pants collection make the purest evening outfit. The base stays the same; only the layers change.
In summary
A second-skin cashmere turtleneck is the foundation of a winter wardrobe: fine, close to the body and designed to disappear under everything else. Choose a silk-cashmere blend for lightness and durability, pick the shape that matches how you layer, from full turtleneck to ribbed tank, and wear it under a shirt, a jacket or a cardigan, or alone with tailoring. Discover the season in our AW26 collection, The Shepherd's Plaid, and all our knitwear in knits and cashmere.