Sapna’s Repeat Summer Purchase: Co-Ords
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Personal style for me has always been about ease. A co-ord or a suit has this magical ability to make you look instantly pulled together – even if you only decided what to wear five minutes ago. It doesn’t need to be a wild print or exaggerated cut – just the simple uniformity of a matching set makes it look like you’ve made a considered choice. And there’s something very satisfying about investing in two pieces that you can wear a several different ways.
My grandparents used to dress me in Indian clothes when I was little. A lot of those outfits involved matching tops with trousers or skirts, so maybe co-ords were something I subconsciously loved early on. But the two sets that really kickstarted the obsession for me were a printed silk Zara set (slightly battered now, but still going strong) and a coral-pink linen one from Damson Madder. Both are loud, fun and so easy to style – they’re my ‘I have no idea what to wear’ solution every time.
Some days I wake up with an exact outfit in mind – and other days, it’s chaos. We’ve all been there: a mountain of clothes on the floor and five minutes until you have to leave. When I first started working, I realised this was happening more often than not – and that’s when my love for a suit first took hold. Every time I found myself in that panic, I’d reach for a good suit and instantly feel like myself again – cool, put together and confident. Other matching sets like a linen two-piece became my ‘weekend’ version of that – but I quickly realised they were good for so much more. They became my styling safety net, while still giving me the room to play around and feel like me.
Another advantage? Cost per wear. I wear them together, I wear them separately and they always make an impact with minimal effort. On days when I’ve got loads on and need one outfit to do it all, I’ll reach for a co-ord.
My current collection is eclectic – think silky PJ sets, denim pairings, crochet skirts with matching tops and plenty of linen. I actually went on holiday recently and – completely by accident – packed only co-ords. Not planned, but honestly a dream when I was getting dressed each day. I ended up mixing pieces across sets too – a new hack I’m loving for cool, summer-ready print clashes. A simple white linen short from a Deiji Studios set with a billowy printed shirt from Zara (that was really giving Bode) was my favourite holiday combo.
How I style them depends entirely on the occasion. For work, I’ll reach for something more structured – like my Citizens of Humanity brown linen co-ord which I now probably wear at least once a week. I add kitten heels, chunky earrings and a Dragon Diffusion bag. If it’s chilly, I’ll throw on a blazer, which somehow makes even a bold print feel office appropriate. For travel, it’s full PJ mode: socks, sandals and an oversized tote – sometimes worn open with a white tank so that I can whip the shirt off when I’m landing somewhere warm. For the beach, it’s always a breezy linen shirt set worn open over swimwear.
A recent addition to my collection is a set from Sleeper. I spotted it in a paparazzi photo of Jennifer Lawrence and instantly saved it. It’s a subtle cream shade with epaulettes on the top and slight slits at the hem of the trousers – so simple but with really nice details. It also just happened to be on sale on NET-A-PORTER, so I didn’t hesitate. I haven’t worn it yet but I know it’ll be perfect for one of those ‘I have nothing to wear’ mornings at work – or for a date night where I want to feel cute but cosy enough to polish off a big bowl of pasta.
When it comes to brands, I have my go-tos. On the high street, Zara, NA-KD, Topshop and Damson Madder always deliver. For something slightly more elevated, I turn to Dissh, Deiji Studios, WNU and Faithfull. Designer-wise, my best investment has been a silk set from TOTEME.
There’s one high street set I’ve gotten so many compliments on recently – and have been wearing constantly. It’s a tropical printed monochrome co-ord from NA-KD – I bought the shirt and shorts in the sale, loved it so much I went back for the matching trousers. It’s comfy, well-cut and the kind of subtle print that works everywhere – styled up for dinner, over a bikini for the beach or just thrown on for a long travel day.
My favourite affordable set has to be the green linen jacket and trousers from Zara. I picked it up earlier this year – one of those pieces I saw and just knew would be a hit. The punchy colour makes such an impact, and the fit is spot on – balloon-leg trousers paired with a slightly utility-style jacket. It’s the kind of set that works just as well for the office as it does for the weekend.
The most versatile set I own is the TOTEME burnt orange silk. It’s the biggest investment I’ve made but the most hardworking – I can wear it on a plane with sandals and a tank, to lunch with a bikini underneath and then dress it up with jewellery and heels for dinner. It’s a chameleon set.
I recently wore a bold silk set to our summer party, and while it was brighter than what I’d usually wear day to day, it didn’t feel like a risk. It was from Faithfull – bold in colour and print, but still very me. My everyday style doesn’t always lean that way, but there’s something about wearing it as a matching set that just makes it work.
A look I love for the evening is a matching skirt and top. I have a great one from Dissh – a white lace style that feels both feminine and cool. I also love breaking it up: wearing the skirt with a simple white tee or styling the top with a wide-leg pair of black suit trousers. I’m loving what Dissh and SIR are doing. I’ve got my eye on a baby-blue wrap skirt and shirt set from Dissh that feels super summer-coded. And SIR has this silk trouser set with a top that looks like a scarf tied into a halter – the back detailing is so flattering and cool – both are cool if you’re not into the classic PJ style co-ord.
My best hack for co-ords? Check the PJ sections at H&M, Zara and even Zara Home. Technically yes, they’re nightwear – but some of the best summer sets are hiding there. Think lightweight fabrics, cool cuts, fun prints and plenty of pared-back silk and linen combos that work just as well outside the house.
If I had to narrow my wardrobe down to just one co-ord, I’d pick a classic everyday suit. Atelier 95 has nailed it – I have a camel one I wear endlessly and I recently added the new cream colourway to my collection. There’s just nothing more versatile than a great suit.
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