Co-ords

What a brand means by co-ord

This page lists items whose title uses the word co-ord, so it follows each brand's own label. A typical co-ord pairs a top, such as a short kurta, shirt or tunic, with straight trousers, culottes, palazzos or a shalwar. Some sets add a dupatta or scarf, so read the product details for exactly what arrives.

A co-ord is not the same as a labelled 2-piece or 3-piece suit. Suits that do not use the word co-ord sit under ready-to-wear. Co-ords usually lean towards a modern, casual cut, while a festive suit carries more work.

If you want only the top, see kurtas or shirts & tops.

The split test: will you wear the pieces apart?

The main use of a co-ord is more outfits from one purchase, so test it before you buy. Ask whether the top would work with jeans, and whether the bottom would work with a plain shirt you own. A plain or neutral co-ord passes easily. A bold all-over print passes less often, because the print tends to clash with other pieces.

Count outfits instead of sets. A set that gives you one matched outfit and two separate ones is a different buy from a set you will only wear together. Colour pages such as black and white help you compare neutral sets across brands.

Two sizes in one set

Sizing a co-ord is harder than sizing one piece, because the top and the bottom must both fit. A set may be sold in one size while your bust and hip sit in different sizes. Compare the chart for both pieces: bust, waist, hip, shoulder and length for the top; waist, hip and length for the bottom.

If your two sizes differ, check whether the brand lets you choose each piece, and read its exchange terms on its own site before ordering, since each brand sets its own. An elastic waist forgives small differences; a fitted or zip waist needs exact numbers. A tailor can shorten a hem or take in a waist easily, but adding fabric is much harder. Our size guide explains how to measure.

Combinations and what they suit

Look at the combination before the print.

• Kurta with straight trousers: neat and comfortable for work and university.
• Shirt with culottes or palazzos: relaxed and airy for summer and travel.
• Top with a shalwar: a traditional shape with a modern cut, good for family visits.
• Embroidered or embellished sets: dressier, suited to dinners and small events.
• Printed sets: lively for everyday wear.

For hot weather choose cotton or lawn-type fabrics and loose bottoms; for cooler months choose a thicker fabric. Check the waistband type, since elastic, drawstring and zip feel different through a day, and look at the photos for pockets.

Co-ords for events: where they work and where they do not

An embellished co-ord can suit a dinner, an engagement lunch or an Eid visit, because it looks finished without a dupatta. For a wedding function, a formal 3-piece or a luxury outfit is the more traditional choice, so match the set to the function rather than to the word co-ord.

Our Eid and formal pages show what suits those days. For a full wedding wardrobe, start with shadi wear and treat a co-ord as the second or third outfit around the main ones.