--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had several turtles before they were…" description: "\"I had several turtles before they were in. People seemed to think they were funny. Now everyone is wearing them practically every place. I think that's..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce7/peter-graves-33183_fashion_i-had-several-turtles-before-they-were-i_3207955.jpg" --- # I had several turtles before they were in. People seemed… ![“I had several turtles before they were in. People seemed to think they were funny. Now everyone is wearing them practically every place. I think that's real fine, but I don't agree they should go to a formal affair. Turtlenecks with dinner jackets seem ridiculous to me.” quote by Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce7/peter-graves-33183_fashion_i-had-several-turtles-before-they-were-i_3207955.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce7/peter-graves-33183_fashion_i-had-several-turtles-before-they-were-i_3207955.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce7/peter-graves-33183_fashion_i-had-several-turtles-before-they-were-i_3207955.jpg) > “I had several turtles before they were in. People seemed to think they were funny. Now everyone is wearing them practically every place. I think that's real fine, but I don't agree they should go to a formal affair. Turtlenecks with dinner jackets seem ridiculous to me.” [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker observes a shift from novelty to ubiquity in turtleneck fashion, finding it inappropriate for formal events. **In simple terms:** Turtlenecks became common, but seem unsuitable for formal wear. Key Takeaway Consider dress codes before choosing attire. Themes fashion social norms formality Mood amused critical Type observational commentary When to use this quote - business dinners - weddings - formal parties - casual gatherings Key Concepts cultural trends dress etiquette Questions to Reflect On - Should dress codes adapt to changing trends? - When is it acceptable to break tradition? A Different Perspective Some may argue fashion evolves and formal rules relax over time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affair Turtlenecks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affair-turtlenecks-5982592/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Jackets Ridiculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jackets-ridiculous-5982595/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Turtlenecks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turtlenecks/) [Turtlenecks Dinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turtlenecks-dinner-5982593/) [Turtles People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turtles-people-5982594/) ## Related quotes > [Me and turtlenecks are not friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-anderson/me-and-turtlenecks-are-not-friends/) [Blake Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-anderson/) > [If women want to be appreciated for what we're saying, we've got to wear turtlenecks and long pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-apple/if-women-want-to-be-appreciated-for-what-we-re-saying-we-ve-got-to/) [Fiona Apple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-apple/) > [I dislike turtlenecks at the best of times, as they are always unflattering to the imperfect male physique, but when worn in combination with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-smith/i-dislike-turtlenecks-at-the-best-of-times-as-they-are-always/) [Russell Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-smith/) > [I think that we see Steve Jobs as the genius speaker in the mock black turtleneck with the round glasses, sort of beautifully delivering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-michael-stern/i-think-that-we-see-steve-jobs-as-the-genius-speaker-in-the-mock/) [Joshua Michael Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-michael-stern/) > [I love a conservative girl. Let me be honest. I love a great pair of jeans and I love turtlenecks...Most guys want to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-michael-murray/i-love-a-conservative-girl-let-me-be-honest-i-love-a-great-pair-of/) [Chad Michael Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-michael-murray/) > [“I slipped on a turtleneck, laughing when my head became stuck in the turtle part. If they weren't called turtlenecks, I wouldn't have worn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-slipped-on-a-turtleneck-laughing-when-my-head-became-stuck-in-the/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [As a young girl, I was much more preoccupied by my flaws. Everyone teased me because of my long, skinny neck. To hide my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iman-abdulmajid/as-a-young-girl-i-was-much-more-preoccupied-by-my-flaws-everyone/) [Iman Abdulmajid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iman-abdulmajid/) > [I honestly really, really love Topshop. I've bought a lot of booties from there. I think they have a great selection of really funky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-bailon/i-honestly-really-really-love-topshop-i-ve-bought-a-lot-of-booties/) [Adrienne Bailon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-bailon/) > [What are you doing now?" Al questioned "Seeing if your circumcision is gone? It is. My expression went blank, and Trent hesitated. He looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/what-are-you-doing-now-al-questioned-seeing-if-your-circumcision-is/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [When I got to Grinnell College, I was part of the black turtleneck sweater and Camel cigarette crowd of poets and writers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-coyote/when-i-got-to-grinnell-college-i-was-part-of-the-black-turtleneck/) [Peter Coyote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-coyote/) > [I could see myself in the fur coats, turtleneck sweaters, with the Kangol hats like Slick Rick and Dana Dane. But I could also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/i-could-see-myself-in-the-fur-coats-turtleneck-sweaters-with-the/) [T.I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-i/) > [I love money. I love everything about it. I bought some pretty good stuff. Got me a $300 pair of socks. Got a fur…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-love-money-i-love-everything-about-it-i-bought-some-pretty-good/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I wouldn't wear turtlenecks. That I'm not envious of. But who knows? I might sneak out a few things and hope and pray that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-helberg/i-wouldn-t-wear-turtlenecks-that-i-m-not-envious-of-but-who-knows-i/) [Simon Helberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-helberg/) > [My Dad was so open creatively that I was off in search of black turtleneck bathing suits with long sleeves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moon-unit-zappa/my-dad-was-so-open-creatively-that-i-was-off-in-search-of-black/) [Moon Unit Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moon-unit-zappa/) > [Vampires!!! What a time to be caught without a turtleneck!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/vampires-what-a-time-to-be-caught-without-a-turtleneck/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) ## More by Peter Graves > [In drama, you're interacting with other actors to tell the story. The camera is like the theater: it's the artistic fourth wall. In a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/in-drama-you-re-interacting-with-other-actors-to-tell-the-story-the/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [People have asked me whether I have a science background. No, but I have a great curiosity about the kinds of things we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/people-have-asked-me-whether-i-have-a-science-background-no-but-i/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [Every actor starting out wants to be famous. One of my dreams was always to go to Paris, walk up the Champs Elysees, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/every-actor-starting-out-wants-to-be-famous-one-of-my-dreams-was/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [I'm trying to get through life without really knowing about computers, but I don't know if I am going to make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/i-m-trying-to-get-through-life-without-really-knowing-about-computers/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [It takes a while to establish a character. Richard Boone once told me he didn't really get the character in 'Have Gun - Will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/it-takes-a-while-to-establish-a-character-richard-boone-once-told-me/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [I resent the label on cigarettes. If they're going to warn you, why don't they put the same sign at the entrance to every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/i-resent-the-label-on-cigarettes-if-they-re-going-to-warn-you-why-don/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [Every actor starts out saying, 'I can play anything in the world: I'm only 25, but I can be a man 70 years old.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/every-actor-starts-out-saying-i-can-play-anything-in-the-world-i-m/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [I'm proud of 'Mission: Impossible.' It made me famous beyond my wildest dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/i-m-proud-of-mission-impossible-it-made-me-famous-beyond-my-wildest/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [You cannot simplify human intelligence, emotion, and growth. To watch the frills and furbelows of a human psyche is fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/you-cannot-simplify-human-intelligence-emotion-and-growth-to-watch/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [Most shows get dumped by the networks, do a couple of years in syndication, then they're in the vault. 'Mission: Impossible' has never been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/most-shows-get-dumped-by-the-networks-do-a-couple-of-years-in/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [I think we were born 6 feet tall and then started to grow from there. My dad's not particularly tall - only 5 feet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/i-think-we-were-born-6-feet-tall-and-then-started-to-grow-from-there/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [You can do bad parts in good pictures or good parts in bad pictures and maybe get a little personal satisfaction. But the key…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/you-can-do-bad-parts-in-good-pictures-or-good-parts-in-bad-pictures/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [I don't know the secret of 'Mission: Impossible''s success. If I did, I'd have probably produced a couple of TV series, made myself rich,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/i-don-t-know-the-secret-of-mission-impossible-s-success-if-i-did-i-d/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) > [I, personally, like good clothes. I appreciate a fine tailored suit, and I'm impressed with the expansion of color in men's wardrobes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-graves/i-personally-like-good-clothes-i-appreciate-a-fine-tailored-suit-and/) [Peter Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) [Explore all 15 Peter Graves quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-graves/) ## More Fashion quotes > [“I can either be a victim—or a winner. Fuck victimhood. I don’t wear it well; it clashes with my wardrobe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/i-can-either-be-a-victim-or-a-winner-fuck-victimhood-i-don-t-wear-it/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [There are various orders of beauty, causing men to make fools of themselves in various styles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/there-are-various-orders-of-beauty-causing-men-to-make-fools-of/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [To me, the beauty of a quilt or a dress lies within the stitches and the thought of the person who made them. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie/to-me-the-beauty-of-a-quilt-or-a-dress-lies-within-the-stitches-and/) [Natalie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Never in a million years would I imagine Calvin Klein flying me out to my first men's fashion show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-dallas/never-in-a-million-years-would-i-imagine-calvin-klein-flying-me-out/) [Cameron Dallas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-dallas/) > [Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/be-neither-too-early-in-the-fashion-nor-too-long-out-of-it-nor-too/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [No one knows whom the shoe pinches - no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sholom-aleichem/no-one-knows-whom-the-shoe-pinches-no-one/) [Sholom Aleichem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sholom-aleichem/) > [Every man must wear out at least one pair of fools shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-derr-biggers/every-man-must-wear-out-at-least-one-pair-of-fools-shoes/) [Earl Derr Biggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-derr-biggers/) > [I have always been too round to do fashion shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-klum/i-have-always-been-too-round-to-do-fashion-shows/) [Heidi Klum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-klum/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. 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