Linen Co-ord Sets: How to Wear Them and What to Buy
A linen co-ord set is a matching top and bottom cut from the same fabric. Worn together it looks like one considered outfit; worn apart, each piece works with the rest of your wardrobe. That is why a good set is better value than it first looks: one purchase, at least three outfits.
Three ways to wear one set
- Together. The obvious one, and the smartest. Matching linen reads polished even with sandals, and dresses up with a heel or a loafer.
- The top on its own, over jeans, a slip skirt, or open as a light jacket over a vest.
- The bottoms on their own, with a plain tee, a knit, or a contrasting linen shirt.
Linen also layers well across seasons: the shirt from a set works open over a knit in spring and on its own in August.
The common combinations
Shirt and wide leg trousers. The most versatile. Relaxed, cool, and easy to dress up. A good choice if you want one set that does everything, like our oversized shirt and wide leg pants set.
Shirt and shorts. Holiday and very hot days. Less formal, very comfortable. See the relaxed shirt and shorts set.
Sleeveless top and trousers. Coolest option, and the top layers under a jacket.
Lounge sets. Softer, easier cuts for home and travel, like the linen lounge set.
Getting the fit right on both halves
This is where most sets go wrong. A set sold in one size assumes your top half and bottom half are the same size. If your bust and hip sit in different rows of the size guide, one half will not fit.
Two ways round it. Check both measurements against the chart before you order, and choose by the half that matters more to you (usually the trousers, since waist and hip are harder to fudge than a loose shirt). Or send your measurements through the custom order page and have each piece cut to its own numbers. Because everything is made to order, that does not add to the 2 to 5 business days of production.
Colour
Neutrals such as natural, beige, grey and white give you the most mixing options when you split the set. Strong colours make the set itself the statement and are better when you mainly wear it together.
Caring for a set
Wash both pieces together, every time. If one half goes through a hot wash and the other does not, they can end up slightly different in size and shade. Cold wash, no tumble dryer, hang damp. More on that in does linen shrink?
The verdict
If you buy one linen piece this year, a neutral shirt and trouser set gives you the most wear for the money. Make sure both halves fit, and treat it as three outfits rather than one. See all linen co-ord sets.
Frequently asked questions
What is a co-ord set?
A coordinated set: a top and a bottom made from the same fabric, designed to be worn together as an outfit or separately.
Can you wear a co-ord set separately?
Yes, and that is most of its value. The top and bottoms each pair with everyday pieces, so one set gives you at least three outfits.
What if my top and bottom are different sizes?
Check both measurements against the size guide before ordering, or send your measurements so each piece is cut to its own numbers.
Which linen co-ord set is the most versatile?
A neutral shirt and wide leg trouser set. It works together for smarter occasions and splits easily into casual outfits.
How do I wash a linen co-ord set?
Wash both pieces together in cold water, skip the tumble dryer and hang them damp, so they stay the same size and shade.