“A capitalistic trap.” That is how Delhi-based branding expert Shilpa Agarwal labels co-ord sets. She has managed to stave off the pull of the so-called styling ease of coordinated outfits that are a rage on social media. Agarwal feels it kills personal style: “I feel owning two pieces for just one look is blocking money. Instead, buying one piece that can be styled in five ways is a better investment. But social media tells me I need to invest in a co-ord.”
Agarwal is not alone in her misgivings about co-ords (short for coordinated sets), which rose on popularity charts during Covid-19. The pandemic was a confusing time, even sartorially. We were unsure of the new rules of dressing up. The co-ord set swooped in with its promise of easy-going style that worked well for home and for work-from-home. It was the need of the hour—a clothing option that didn’t overload the brain with more decisions and was Zoom-friendly.
Now many fashion experts feel it has overstayed its welcome and are dying to piece together a fitting obituary. But the trendy twin set is far from over. Wearers are spoilt for choice, with designers and brands—high-street to luxury to lesser-known online players—ready to feed this frenzy. Most brands’ websites now have a dedicated segment for co-ords. In 2025, even men, at least of Gen Z vintage, are using it as the official uniform of their “woke up stylish” aesthetic—an expression used on social media to conveys a fashionable appearance without effort.
THE ORIGIN STORY
Divya Ahluwalia, head designer, Label Ritu Kumar, says matching sets are nothing new, especially in India where the traditional salwar-kameez or lehnga-choli have been the OG co-ords. In fact, the history of modern-day dressing is one of matching outfits that began in the 17th century when European men wore matching doublet-and-hose combinations. In mainstream western fashion, co-ords first came in via sportswear, and in the 1920s, Coco Chanel debuted the iconic skirt-suit. The ’50s till ’70s was the era of prints and post-1980s the athleisure trend brought in matching tracksuits. It was a big part of Y2K dressing too, which is back in style. Ahluwalia says, “Today’s co-ord sets, with their easy fits and better fabrics, are just a fresh take on that same idea.”
For Sagar, the original diva who gave these sets a style status is the late Queen Elizabeth II. “She wore co-ords long before they became fashionable. Her sets were bold, full of colour. They were often dismissed as eccentric at the time. But now, you see the clarity in it. Every tone matched precisely. The bag, the shoe, the hat, even the brooch—nothing was left to chance.”
A co-ord set can be a style saviour. If you are having an off day sartorially, it will do the heavy lifting, say Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, cofounders of Shivan & Narresh. Bhatiya says, “Over the years, the concept has evolved with new silhouettes, prints and fabrications, allowing coords to adapt to different lifestyles, occasions and climates.” The growth in the segment, according to him, is mainly due to adaptability, its functionality and statement-making potential.
Kukreja says now consumers want their co-ords to work as a set and as separates. For 2025, they have focused on sets that create a cohesive look when styled together but are detailed enough to be styled independently. He adds, “This duality not only enhances longevity but also celebrates the modern dresser’s need for adaptability.”
SOCIAL SETS
What’s working in the co-ords’ favour is its visual impact. A matching set screams intentional dressing, says Riya Garg, founder of Studio Rigu. This year, she’s working on sets that have a standalone potential, with elements of tonal layering, placement prints and statement details like pockets and asymmetrical cuts. Garg notes that co-ords have become a go-to for the “do-it-for-the-Gram” generation. She adds, “Social media has amplified the demand for camera-ready looks, and co-ords deliver that effortlessly.”
Kukreja agrees that the symmetry and harmony of co-ords translates beautifully in photographs: “With social media shaping how we experience fashion, co-ords have become a favourite. Their bold prints, sharp tailoring and fluid silhouettes ensure they are as striking onscreen as they are in person.” Sagar says: “Co-ords are efficient. People gravitate towards the clarity they offer. It’s about appearing resolved. Like you’ve made a decision, even if it was a fast one.”
SHAPE SHIFTER
Bhatiya says the beauty of co-ords lies in its ability to shape-shift according to your lifestyle, the occasion and the vibe. Want to wear it to Sunday brunch? Pick a pastel-hued linen set. Have a job interview? A smartly tailored set will work. Evening out? Wear a dark monochrome set. Gym time? Matching sweats is the key. For holidays? A printed lounge set works.
Ahluwalia says that while it may have started as loungewear, it has moved beyond that. “We see them becoming more prominent in festive looks and even in sharper, more tailored silhouettes for work or events. For everyday wear, fabrics like cotton and linen are the most versatile, while for more formal sets, the quality of the print and finish really matters,” she says.
Donning a set doesn’t mean you have to let go of personal style, says Sagar. But exercise restraint while wearing co-ords: “The silhouette is already saying something. Let everything else support that. One accent— a scarf, a shoe—is often enough. It shows you’ve thought about it, without turning it into theatre. A set should feel intentional when worn as one, but never forced.”
Designers are also ready to educate customers on how to get more out of their co-ords. Mahajan says, “A jacket from a set should pair seamlessly with jeans or trousers. That flexibility is key to sustainable fashion as it encourages re-styling, not replacing.” Mahajan predicts that the next wave of co-ords will be more experimental: mixed textures, asymmetry, embellishment and layering.
Ines de La Fressange, French supermodel and Karl Lagerfeld’s muse, once said: “Buying a matching blouse and skirt from the same store is a crime.” Guilty as charged, I guess.
Agarwal is not alone in her misgivings about co-ords (short for coordinated sets), which rose on popularity charts during Covid-19. The pandemic was a confusing time, even sartorially. We were unsure of the new rules of dressing up. The co-ord set swooped in with its promise of easy-going style that worked well for home and for work-from-home. It was the need of the hour—a clothing option that didn’t overload the brain with more decisions and was Zoom-friendly.
Now many fashion experts feel it has overstayed its welcome and are dying to piece together a fitting obituary. But the trendy twin set is far from over. Wearers are spoilt for choice, with designers and brands—high-street to luxury to lesser-known online players—ready to feed this frenzy. Most brands’ websites now have a dedicated segment for co-ords. In 2025, even men, at least of Gen Z vintage, are using it as the official uniform of their “woke up stylish” aesthetic—an expression used on social media to conveys a fashionable appearance without effort.
THE ORIGIN STORY
Divya Ahluwalia, head designer, Label Ritu Kumar, says matching sets are nothing new, especially in India where the traditional salwar-kameez or lehnga-choli have been the OG co-ords. In fact, the history of modern-day dressing is one of matching outfits that began in the 17th century when European men wore matching doublet-and-hose combinations. In mainstream western fashion, co-ords first came in via sportswear, and in the 1920s, Coco Chanel debuted the iconic skirt-suit. The ’50s till ’70s was the era of prints and post-1980s the athleisure trend brought in matching tracksuits. It was a big part of Y2K dressing too, which is back in style. Ahluwalia says, “Today’s co-ord sets, with their easy fits and better fabrics, are just a fresh take on that same idea.”
For Sagar, the original diva who gave these sets a style status is the late Queen Elizabeth II. “She wore co-ords long before they became fashionable. Her sets were bold, full of colour. They were often dismissed as eccentric at the time. But now, you see the clarity in it. Every tone matched precisely. The bag, the shoe, the hat, even the brooch—nothing was left to chance.”
A co-ord set can be a style saviour. If you are having an off day sartorially, it will do the heavy lifting, say Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, cofounders of Shivan & Narresh. Bhatiya says, “Over the years, the concept has evolved with new silhouettes, prints and fabrications, allowing coords to adapt to different lifestyles, occasions and climates.” The growth in the segment, according to him, is mainly due to adaptability, its functionality and statement-making potential.
Kukreja says now consumers want their co-ords to work as a set and as separates. For 2025, they have focused on sets that create a cohesive look when styled together but are detailed enough to be styled independently. He adds, “This duality not only enhances longevity but also celebrates the modern dresser’s need for adaptability.”
SOCIAL SETS
What’s working in the co-ords’ favour is its visual impact. A matching set screams intentional dressing, says Riya Garg, founder of Studio Rigu. This year, she’s working on sets that have a standalone potential, with elements of tonal layering, placement prints and statement details like pockets and asymmetrical cuts. Garg notes that co-ords have become a go-to for the “do-it-for-the-Gram” generation. She adds, “Social media has amplified the demand for camera-ready looks, and co-ords deliver that effortlessly.”
Kukreja agrees that the symmetry and harmony of co-ords translates beautifully in photographs: “With social media shaping how we experience fashion, co-ords have become a favourite. Their bold prints, sharp tailoring and fluid silhouettes ensure they are as striking onscreen as they are in person.” Sagar says: “Co-ords are efficient. People gravitate towards the clarity they offer. It’s about appearing resolved. Like you’ve made a decision, even if it was a fast one.”
SHAPE SHIFTER
Bhatiya says the beauty of co-ords lies in its ability to shape-shift according to your lifestyle, the occasion and the vibe. Want to wear it to Sunday brunch? Pick a pastel-hued linen set. Have a job interview? A smartly tailored set will work. Evening out? Wear a dark monochrome set. Gym time? Matching sweats is the key. For holidays? A printed lounge set works.
Ahluwalia says that while it may have started as loungewear, it has moved beyond that. “We see them becoming more prominent in festive looks and even in sharper, more tailored silhouettes for work or events. For everyday wear, fabrics like cotton and linen are the most versatile, while for more formal sets, the quality of the print and finish really matters,” she says.
Donning a set doesn’t mean you have to let go of personal style, says Sagar. But exercise restraint while wearing co-ords: “The silhouette is already saying something. Let everything else support that. One accent— a scarf, a shoe—is often enough. It shows you’ve thought about it, without turning it into theatre. A set should feel intentional when worn as one, but never forced.”
Designers are also ready to educate customers on how to get more out of their co-ords. Mahajan says, “A jacket from a set should pair seamlessly with jeans or trousers. That flexibility is key to sustainable fashion as it encourages re-styling, not replacing.” Mahajan predicts that the next wave of co-ords will be more experimental: mixed textures, asymmetry, embellishment and layering.
Ines de La Fressange, French supermodel and Karl Lagerfeld’s muse, once said: “Buying a matching blouse and skirt from the same store is a crime.” Guilty as charged, I guess.
You may also like
Vaping increases risk of stroke by a third in urgent warning to young people
Mirror's Daily Digest - top five stories you need to read tonight
UK's first American biscuit shop opens but foodies make same criticism
HM Amit Shah's plane diverted to Jaipur due to bad weather in Delhi
Maha Minister Chhagan Bhujbal warns of protest if Maratha community is included in OBC category
