The Low-Key Cool Way to Style Your Sweaters in 2023

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(Image credit: @anoukyve@frannfyne@thatgirlyusra)

As someone who's spent her fair share of money on of-the-moment fashion items, there's nothing better than a trend that can be re-created entirely with items that already live in your closet. And unless you live somewhere that never dips below 90ºF, I'm pretty sure you own at least one sweater that can, with little effort, be tied around your shoulders in the kind of laissez-faire manner that's going viral on Instagram in 2023. 

Whether it's worn with activewear to give your post-Pilates ensemble a stylish touch or another knit for a modernized take on the sweater set, the sweater-around-the-shoulders look is a huge hit this year. And for good reason since lazy dressing is having a moment right now, and nothing's lazier than tossing your favorite knit around your neck as opposed to actually putting it on. Plus, since most of us already own about a million different sweaters (oh sorry, is that just me?), there's no trekking to the store required. *Pauses for lazy dressers to sigh in relief.* 

Below, see how low-key-fashion people are styling their knits in 2023. 

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(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

The chunkier the sweater you pick to wrap around your shoulders, the warmer you'll feel. My suggestion? Skip the scarf and grab an extra-thick sweater. 

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(Image credit: @dawn.tan)

A striped sweater is just as classic and timeless as a solid one, especially when it's worn casually tossed around your shoulders. 

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(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Test out the monochrome-dressing trend by styling a short-sleeve knit with matching trousers and a long-sleeve sweater tied around your neck. 

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

If your outfit is in need of some contrast, breaking it up with a sweater in a different color can make all the difference.

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(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Looking rich is as easy as adding a cream- or ivory-colored sweater to your poplin shirt–covered shoulders. 

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Transform your workout attire into an all-day outfit by adding a casual-cool knit around your shoulders just like French girls have been known to do.

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(Image credit: @aida.bdji)

By adding a scarf-like sweater, every outfit can be turned up a minimum of 10 notches—and that's a fact. 

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(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl)

Match your knit to your bag (bonus points if it's a Birkin) for a true sartorial masterpiece. 

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(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Add an interesting twist to your everyday winter coat with a chunky, cozy knit. Later, when you de-coat and get chilly, you can always slip it all the way on. 

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

The '90s Prada, Calvin Klein, and DKNY vibes are extra strong with this one. 

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

If a boost of color is what you're looking for, this is the sweater shade for you. Pair it with a minimalist look for a pop or go all out by styling it alongside printed pants and bold shoe choice. 

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(Image credit: @modestmira_)

The blazer look can easily feel overdone these days after years of wearing them day in and day out. Adding a sweater around your shoulders is an easy way to make it appear fresh again.

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

If you thought this trend went "out" in the summertime, think again. 

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(Image credit: @hannamw)

Even a session on the slopes calls for an around-the-shoulders sweater moment. Après-ski too! 

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Coming up next: The Winter Layering Hack Every Fashion Insider Wears on Repeat

Senior Fashion Editor

Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.