I Style Knit Sets to Look Luxurious, Never Lazy—Here's How I Pull It Off

The trick? Sartorial tension.

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There is a fine line between “luxurious knit set” and “I’ve emotionally committed to the couch.” I walk it often.

I love a knit set; the ease, the softness, the quiet confidence of matching top and bottom—but left unattended, it can veer into overly relaxed territory. The trick, I’ve found, is tension. The push and pull between softness and structure. Ease and edge. Comfort and competence.

My first move? A sharply tailored coat. Always. Draping a precise, architectural coat over a languid knit set instantly recalibrates the look. The fluidity of the knit meets the discipline of tailoring, and suddenly you’re not cozy—you’re considered. The coat provides a clean vertical line, sharp shoulders, and a bit of authority. It says, “Yes, this is comfortable, but it’s also intentional.” That balance is everything.

Brooke Ely Danielson wearing a cozy knit set with scarlet loafers on the street

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

Footwear is where I have the most fun. For a polished errand circuit or a casual lunch, I’ll lean into a slipper silhouette—velvet loafers from Gucci or smoking slippers from Stubbs Wootton. There’s something deliciously subversive about pairing something that technically belongs indoors with a look that reads refined. It feels louche in the best way—Upper East Side intellectual who might also own excellent espresso.

Brooke Ely Danielson wearing Nike sneakers with a tailored coat and sweatpants on front steps

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

If I’m out for a full day about town, I pivot to retro sneakers—sleek, low-profile pairs from Nike or Adidas—to ground the softness with a bit of athletic nostalgia. The juxtaposition keeps the set from feeling precious. I’ll anchor everything with my oversized suede tote from Toteme, which carries my life and subtly reinforces the “this was planned” narrative.

Brooke Ely Danielson sitting on a kitchen countertop wearing a denim jacket, a sweat set, and black loafers

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

At home, I lean into layering as a styling device rather than an afterthought. I’ll drape an extra knit over my shoulders—casual but strategic—or throw on an oversized denim jacket or shirt to introduce texture and shape. The added layer breaks up the visual continuity of the set, creating dimension and a bit of edge. Even a smoking slipper feels sharper when the top half has some architectural interest.

The real key with knit sets is integration. Treat them as ready-to-wear separates rather than a matched lounge uniform. Swap the knit top for a crisp button-down one day. Pair the knit trousers with a blazer the next. Introduce leather, denim, tailoring—anything with structure—to give the softness a counterpoint. You want the look to whisper “effortless,” not announce “just rolled off the sofa.”

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Brooke Ely Danielson wearing a gray sweatsuit and red loafers

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

Because when styled with intention, a knit set isn’t lazy, it’s luxurious. And there’s a meaningful difference.

Brooke Ely Danielson
Brooke Ely Danielson
Contributing Editor

Brooke has held editorial positions at Shape, Glamour, and Vogue, as well as contributed to In Style, Well + Good, Mind Body Green and Aspen Magazine. Brooke has also consulted for several brands, including Aztech Mountain and Tory Burch. Brooke has also made on-air appearances on the TODAY show, Fox5 among other media outlets while in her role as the Fashion Lifestyle Director at Shape magazine. She runs the Substack 12 Seeds.