When it comes to dressing for the summer, nothing quite beats the allure of one-and-done styling. Sure, a sweeping dress in cotton or breezy linen may be your first port of call, but there is an all-weather-appropriate outfit combination that is sure to win you over. Allow us to try to win you over with the co-ord (or matching separates) as a chic–and comfortable–alternative to a summer dress.

Co-ords have become a trending favourite driven by their unparalleled simplicity and versatility, and it’s not hard to see why. The fashion crowd welcomes them because they can provide a polished look with greater impact, arguably more so than a dress. The upshot of a co-ord––apart from being a time-saver when dressing––is that you can wear the separates together or pair them with existing wardrobe staples, empowering you to create your own unique style.

Instilled with the confidence that comes with a put-together outfit, the appeal of these coordinating sets has extended into other areas of our wardrobes. Not just for a getaway, co-ords have breathed life into tailoring, allowing for contemporary dressing when it comes to workwear. And you’ll be forgiven if you thought it was solely short sets. In fact, there has been a revolution in purposeful and functional dressing, which has seen co-ords reimagined in tactile fabrications, knitted jerseys and denim in the form of skirts with waistcoats, bandeau corsets, and oversized shirting.

The Applique Linen Shirt, when paired with its matching skirt, exemplifies this perfectly; lightweight, sophisticated, but equally fun. Similarly, our Denim Corset Top, accompanied by its longline skirt, strikes the balance of looking on-trend while retaining a timeless allure. However, for those seeking to refresh their shirt-shorts sets, we recommend the Swirl Set, a striking block print ensemble, or the Embroidered Scribble, distinguished by its whimsical motifs.

Whether your style leans towards minimalistic or playful, the below edit has been curated to assure you that co-ords are suitable for any occasion, elevating and simplifying the process of finding the perfect outfit.