Are you Ready for the Return of Twin Sets?
From grandma's favourite to guaranteed crowd pleaser
At the Autumn Winter ‘24 Prada menswear show in Milan, Miuccia and Raf Simons brought little old lady style to the fore. The collection featured jewel-tone knitted twin sets, paired with tweedy trousers, baker boy hats (hmmm), and belts whimsically designed to resemble white picket fences.
The twin sets, close-cut and hip-skimmingly chic, paid homage to the WASPish knit combos favored by history’s most stylish elderly women—think Coco Chanel, Babe Paley, Jacqueline Bouvier, and, well, Marc Jacobs.
The revival of this knitwear pairing has inspired a wave of man-ready twin sets across the menswear spectrum. Brands like Gucci and Loewe are offering heritage-inspired versions, featuring argyle and Fair Isle patterns, while Zara and Massimo Dutti cater to a more classic aesthetic with tonal combinations.
Here are 10 of the best, which are great for doubling up on insulation during this GLORIOUS cold snap.
1 | The Properly Chic One
This morning, after wrapping up a filming job, I stopped by Massimo Dutti on the King’s Road and couldn’t resist trying on a twin set paired with my white jeans. The look struck the perfect balance: chic and self-assured without veering into try-hard territory. Also, bonus points for affordability.
2 | The Fun One
The Zara x Nanushka collection is the gift that keeps on giving, and this psychedelic floral-print twin set - consisting of an outsized cardigan and sweater vest - is a prime example. Style it over a white tee for a laid-back look (and to avoid sweat patches), or dare to wear it solo if you’re feeling dangerous
3 | The Fashion One
The twin set that started it all, these Prada separates in striking contrasting technicolor hues are undeniably eye-wateringly expensive, but you can bet your last Prada pound that you won’t spot anyone else wearing them.
4 | The One for Indoors
This cashmere jacket and corresponding cashmere sweater from the masters at John Smedley is a touch nana, but no less comfortable. Probably not one to wear to your Christmas party.
5 | The One if You’re Tilda Swinton
Edgy, chic, heritage-infused, impossible to wear…you’ll need the proportions of our Tilds to pull this Loewe number off, but my God you’ll look great if you’ve got ‘em.
6 | The One With a Tanned Chest
This combination couldn’t be more Armani if it tried. Wear the jacket open with the cardigan done up and naught but a layer of bronzing oil on your chest - glistening with Italian elan - beneath it.
7 | The One for the Driving Range
Crafted from a shiny viscose lamé, this Arnold Palmer-on-crack twin set from Gucci is one that you actually could wear to your Christmas party…
8 | The One for Looking Bookish
Not all twin sets feature buttons. Pop a contrasting mock turtle neck under a crew for a classic, Diane Keaton-infused winter aesthetic.
9 | The Punk One
A slightly easier, breezier, couldn’t give AF version of the lamé Gucci number above, wear this Our Legacy twin set with a white crew neck tee, for a pop of contrast, and some wide-leg blue jeans.
10 | The Other Chic One
A slinky little combo from the high priestess of unexpected menswear separates, Stacey Wood at King & Tuckfield. Team your midnight blue knitted blazer with a matching knitted vest for an improbably elegant silhouette
Quick reminder in case you missed it: in order to enable me to continue producing The Closet twice a week, I’m putting some of my content behind a paywall moving forward, but there’s a 25 percent discount for my loyal subscribers if you click the link here.