Fashion designer Alex Vinash, who owns an eponymous store in Southampton, is often summoned to his clients’ closets for help. "They have a lot of beautiful clothes but tell me, ‘I don’t know how to put things together and combine the pieces,’" he notes. To that end, says Vinash, "I’m a superfan of matching sets." In his current collection, there’s a swanky (and bestselling) floral skirt and blouse ensemble that he notes, "is almost like having a custom outfit. It’s really fresh and so easy."
Indeed, ease is perhaps the number one benefit of what are colloquially called co-ord sets, says just about everybody. The pairing of these made-for-each-other tops and bottoms — sometimes exact matches, sometimes match-ish — offers polish, versatility, and in some cases, especially this season, elevated style. That said, while touted as complete outfits, in many cases pieces are sold separately doubling up on price that can range from moderate to high-end.
The teens and dog, Cooper, lounge in their "uniform." Credit: Newsday/Thomas Hengge
Not that the concept is not new. But today, it’s about a more nuanced coupling, accepted by virtually all age groups, especially teens, and in demand, says Joanna Mazzella, owner of Mint Boutiques in Mattituck, West Hampton Beach, Stony Brook, Southampton, and, most recently, West Palm Beach. "I think sets have just grown to be such a staple. If there’s a cute separate, customers immediately ask, ‘What do you have to go with that?’ People want to have it spelled out so they don’t have to put that much thought into it."
For winter dressing, Mazzella says, "We’re doing a lot of loungey sets like a waffle turtleneck and a wide-leg pant — it’s cozy, and great for traveling when you’re wanting to look put together but comfortable."
Matching sets from Aerie, Mint Boutiques and anthropologie show how versitle the trend can be. Credit: Aerie; Mint Boutiques; anthropologie
Moving forward here, find gauzy combos, stripes, prints, textural fabrics and cool silhouettes. And says Manzella, you can get a lot more than just one look out of a set. "From buying just two pieces, the possibilities are infinite. People are seeing that and are gravitating to it big time."
A uniform of sorts
When cake artist/baker Allee Tiefenwerth, 26, of Bellmore, gets dressed for work each morning she goes on automatic pilot. "I don’t have to think about it. I wear sets to make me look put together. I want to look cute — I know I’m in the wrong field for that — but they definitely make my life easier. If it doesn’t have a matching top and bottom, I’m not buying it," she says adding that she feels fine wearing a co-ord set to the bar after work.
Cake artist/baker Allee Tiefenwerth, 26, of Bellmore, wears sets to work and for going out. She says, "I rarely buy anything anymore if it doesn't have a matching top and bottom. Credit: Allee Tiefenwerth @Allebakes
Another perk for her is packing for travel in looks that can be both casual or dressy. "I feel like it’s getting three outfits out of one. They take up less space and are versatile enough to wear to multiple places. And I feel like myself in them."
An upgrade for teens
In December, mom Elyse Parisi, 43, of Centerport, noticed a shift in her 14-year-old daughter Penelope’s fashion preferences. "Her Christmas list was new. It’s a ninth-grade girl stepping up from leggings and that old camp tee," she says. Teens "want something put together, cozy and comfy that has a little status. Some lines are super logo heavy and some you can tell the brand just by the stitching," she says noting that names such as Comfrt, Edikted and Mad Happy are sought after, many with crew necks rather than hoodies.
The kids want labels. It's the same thing as women who want status bags.
- Elyse Parisi, 43, of Centerport
Penelope is all in. "They’re so cute and easy to wear, and effortless. You don’t have to put that much thought into it. You could wear it to any occasion. I wear mine everywhere," she says, adding that she’s hoping for a Comfrt set to include in her current mix of Garage and Aerie.
Her classmate, Aubree Kuhn, 15, also of Centerport, started adopting the style last May and has about eight sets now including brands such as Aritzia, Alo and the trending (and expensive) Mad Happy. "They’re easier to plan an outfit and I always get compliments on them," she says. "People say, 'I love your matching set, I love the color.' "
And, for Aubree and perhaps others, there’s a bit of an aspirational quality to them. She points out that, "Even adults wear them, like girls in their 20s."
