Co-ord sets: matching tops and trousers for work and weekends

Shapes that go together

Balance is the rule: if one piece is loose, keep the other a little neater.

• Straight kurta and straight trousers: the simplest co-ord and the smartest for work.
• Short boxy top and wide-leg trousers: relaxed and modern for weekends.
• Shirt-style kurta and cigarette pants: crisp and easy under a coat. See our collar styles guide.
• Peplum top and slim trousers: a defined waist with a clean line below. Our peplum and short kurti guide has more.
• Kaftan top and straight trousers: loose and cool on hot days. See kaftan-style kameez.
• Kurta and palazzo: a mid-thigh kurta over wide palazzos in the same print, the classic summer co-ord.
• Add a layer: a matching sleeveless jacket or long shrug turns the set into three pieces for cooler days or smarter plans.

For work and for weekends

For work and campus, a co-ord in a plain fabric or small-scale print looks tidy all day, and mid to deep shades mix easily with a blazer or cardigan. A band collar or neat round neck, three-quarter sleeves and side-seam pockets make it practical.

For weekends and gatherings, co-ords are a chance to go bolder: a large print, a bright colour or a textured weave, with a looser top or wider trousers. A matching set in a bold print looks deliberate in a way that separates sometimes do not. Our trouser styles guide covers the trouser shapes in detail.

Fabric and how much you need

• Linen and linen blends: cool and relaxed for summer, though they crease. Our linen guide has more.
• Cotton, cambric and dobby: crisp, breathable and easy to care for all year.
• Viscose and crepe: a soft drape for wide-leg trousers and loose tops.
• Jacquard and cotton silk: a woven texture or sheen for dressier sets.
• How much: roughly the kameez and trouser figures from our fabric quantity guide added together, so a two-piece unstitched suit is often a co-ord in waiting. With a bold print, allow a little extra so it can be matched across the pieces.

Making it work harder

The best co-ords earn their place by being worn apart. Before choosing a fabric, think about what else in your wardrobe the top and trousers could go with: plain co-ord trousers slip under printed kurtas, and a patterned co-ord top works with jeans or plain trousers. Wash the two pieces together where you can, because a top washed more often than its trousers can fade to a slightly different shade.

Fit matters more in a co-ord than in a looser suit, because matching fabric draws the eye to the whole silhouette. Think about the trouser rise and the top’s length together, so the top sits where you want it over the waistband when you sit and move.

Send your measurements, the shapes you want and a reference photo through the stitching quote form. If you would rather not source fabric yourself, Fabric + Stitching means we supply the agreed fabric and include it in your quote. The custom stitching page explains how it works.