Brands Like KNWLS: 8 Labels to Know

Brands like KNWLS share at least one of its signatures: real corsetry, a club-ready edge, sportswear cut close to the body, and London attitude. The closest at Coveti are Vivienne Westwood, The Attico, Alexander Wang and David Koma. Compare them with the KNWLS Veil Leather Corset, all KNWLS and our corset tops.

If you are new to the label, start with who is KNWLS, then use this list to widen the wardrobe. Our corset top styling guide mixes several of these houses.

• Vivienne Westwood is the London house most associated with the modern corset.
• The Attico shares the after-dark attitude and short, sharp silhouettes.
• Alexander Wang mixes sportswear and body-con the way KNWLS does.
• David Koma and 16Arlington are London labels cutting close to the body for evening.
• Magda Butrym, Alessandra Rich and Rotate Birger Christensen share the corset and the romantic detail.

What makes a brand like KNWLS?

KNWLS has a very particular mix. It makes boned corsets in leather, wool and denim. It cuts jersey and mesh with sportswear seams. It keeps rises low and hemlines short, and it shows in London with a downtown, slightly undone styling. A brand does not need all four to be a good match, but the best alternatives share at least two.

The brands most like KNWLS

1. Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood is the London house that turned the corset into everyday fashion, and its influence on KNWLS is easy to see. Choose Westwood for heritage corsetry and tailoring with a punk history, and KNWLS for a younger, sportier take on the same idea.

2. The Attico

The Attico, the Milan label founded by Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini, shares the KNWLS instinct for dressing that is built for nights out. Its pieces are glossier and more party focused, where KNWLS is rawer.

3. Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang built his name on sportswear made sexy, which is the territory of the KNWLS Halcyon top and Ghost jersey. Wang is cleaner and more New York, KNWLS more London.

4. David Koma

David Koma is a London designer cutting sculpted, close evening wear, including corset tops in denim and velvet. Choose Koma for a more polished, embellished evening look.

5. 16Arlington

16Arlington is another London label with a nightlife edge, known for slinky dresses and texture. It overlaps with the KNWLS cupro slips and stretch minis.

6. Magda Butrym

Magda Butrym brings a romantic, Polish take on corsetry, with draped corsets and floral detail. It is softer than KNWLS but shares the love of a structured bodice.

7. Alessandra Rich

Alessandra Rich mixes a vintage, romantic look with sharp shoulders and corset details. It suits anyone drawn to the KNWLS Sable and Beth pieces.

8. Rotate Birger Christensen

Rotate is the Copenhagen label for going out, with short dresses and fitted tops. It is the most accessible alternative on this list.

How do these brands compare?

How do you choose between KNWLS and its peers?

Start with what you want the clothes to do. If you want corsetry as everyday wear, KNWLS and Vivienne Westwood lead: KNWLS for a younger, sportier line and Westwood for tailoring with history. If you want going-out pieces that are glossy and finished, The Attico, Rotate and 16Arlington are the closer match. For sculpted evening wear with more embellishment, David Koma. And for sportswear that still looks sharp, Alexander Wang.

Fit matters too. KNWLS cuts close with a low rise, which suits a customer who likes a fitted top and a visible waist. The Attico and Rotate run a little easier, Magda Butrym is softer through the body, and Vivienne Westwood tailoring is more structured at the shoulder. Most customers who love one of these labels own pieces from several of them, and the shared language of corsets, slip skirts and cropped jackets makes them easy to mix.

What does KNWLS do that no peer does?

Two things. The Halcyon, a printed semi-sheer mesh top cut with performance sportswear seams, has no real equivalent at the other houses. And KNWLS treats denim as a corsetry fabric, with gloss-sprayed bustiers and matching jeans, where most peers keep denim casual. Add the KNWLS Nike collection, and the label covers ground none of the others do.

Which KNWLS pieces should you compare first?

If you are weighing KNWLS against these labels, compare the signature pieces. The Victoria Corset in Charcoal shows the KNWLS corset in wool. The Halcyon Top in Scarf Print shows the sportswear mesh no other label on this list makes quite the same way. The Astra Claw Jacket in Sand is the KNWLS biker, and the Elisir Slip Dress in Black shows the evening side. For the collaboration, see the KNWLS Nike guide.

Frequently asked questions

What brands are similar to KNWLS?

Vivienne Westwood, The Attico, Alexander Wang, David Koma, 16Arlington, Magda Butrym, Alessandra Rich and Rotate Birger Christensen all share part of the KNWLS look.

Is KNWLS like Vivienne Westwood?

Both are London labels known for corsetry. Westwood has decades of heritage tailoring behind it, while KNWLS mixes corsets with sportswear and a younger, rawer finish.

Which London brands are like KNWLS?

Vivienne Westwood, David Koma and 16Arlington are London labels at Coveti with a similar close, after-dark sensibility.

What is the most affordable brand like KNWLS?

Rotate Birger Christensen is the most accessible on this list. Within KNWLS itself, the KNWLS Nike jersey is the easiest entry point.

Where can I shop KNWLS and similar brands?

Coveti stocks KNWLS and every brand on this list, with authenticity guaranteed and worldwide express shipping.