It’s A Match: The Coolest Co-ords To Wear This Summer

When the sun’s blazing and the mood is high, the last place you want to be is standing in front of an open wardrobe, sweating over what to wear. Anything that cuts down decision-making and gets you to a sun-soaked beer garden faster is a win in our book. Which is where the co-ord comes in.

For the uninitiated, a co-ord is simply a matching set of top and bottoms. It’s most commonly a camp-collar shirt and a pair of drawstring shorts, but it could also be a knitted, polo-style shirt, or even a matching T-shirt and shorts. The key is that it’s two pieces designed to be worn as a pair – which, for your purposes, means less faffing in front of the mirror and more time in the sun.

But it’s not all good news. Co-ords, for all their positives, are notoriously easy to mess up. Buy the wrong one, and it’s all too easy to miss ‘laid-back summer style’ and land squarely in ‘Love Island lost property’. Below is a quick guide to avoiding the pitfalls and a rundown of the brands doing it best.

A Time And A Place

We probably don’t need to tell you this, but you probably don’t want to show up at a funeral in a pastel-pink co-ord set. There’s a time and a place. Is a co-ord smarter than a plain tee and a pair of denim shorts? Yes, perhaps a bit, but that doesn’t mean it can be worn anywhere and everywhere.

This is resort wear, through and through. Think beach clubs, rooftops, poolside cocktails, garden parties and long days at the seaside. A co-ord is at home anywhere the dress code is relaxed and the weather is hot, so take that into account before deciding to throw one on.

The good news is that it can be split up, and each piece on its own is far more versatile than both together. Assuming you choose a relatively sensible pattern and colour, you could team the shirt up with a pair of tailored trousers and some loafers for a summer wedding, or wear the shorts with a contrasting shirt or tee to create a bit of separation and visual interest.

Co-ord Styling Tips

Go Tonal, Not Tropical

The Resort Co.

All the worst co-ords we come across have one thing in common – they go way too heavy on pattern. Remember, this isn’t supposed to be fancy dress, it’s meant to be a legitimate outfit.

There seems to be a temptation to lean into the novelty aspect, but if you want to look put together, we encourage you to steer clear of over-the-top prints and opt for something a bit more subdued instead. Think earthy tones and pastels in solid block colours.

That’s not to say pattern is totally off the menu – but if you must do it, keep it understated and soft rather than loud and tropical.

Mind The Fit

David Gandy Wellwear

This isn’t gym kit. The best co-ords drape in a nice, relaxed manner. Boxy shirts, slightly loose-fitting shorts, breathable fabrics. You want to look comfortable, not constricted.

For the shirt, aim for something between a bowling shirt and a pyjama top – light and airy with plenty of room to breathe. Shorts-wise, somewhere around mid-thigh or slightly lower is a safe bet. Just make sure there’s at least two or three inches of clearance above the knee.

Dress It Up

Reiss

Footwear makes a huge impact on the overall feel of a co-ord. Switching flip-flops for loafers, for example, elevates the whole thing, making it feel more considered and less sloppy.

Jewellery helps too. A pendant chain, a ring, a decent watch – just enough to let the world know this isn’t what you slept in.

And if you’re still not sure? Throw on a knitted polo instead of the matching shirt.

The Best Brands For Men’s Co-ords

The Resort Co.

Sweden’s Resort Co. doesn’t mess around when it comes to poolside attire. This is quality clothing that’s built for life in the sun, and the co-ords are some of the most tasteful options you’ll find anywhere.

We’re particularly fond of the terry towelling sets, which are available in a range of muted colour options. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more flamboyant, there are a number of geometric-print designs that manage to draw the eye without causing a migraine.

Shop now at The Resort Co.

David Gandy Wellwear

David Gandy has modelled for just about every brand under the sun, so it’s fair to say he knows his way around a wardrobe. That experience feeds directly into his own label, David Gandy Wellwear – a line dedicated to effortless, off-duty style.

Wellwear’s co-ords are built for laid-back luxury – breezy short-sleeved shirts and drawstring shorts in buttery-soft fabrics, or jersey twinsets that blur the line between loungewear and leisurewear. Ideal for slow mornings, poolside afternoons, or just looking put together with zero effort.

Shop now at David Gandy Wellwear

Orlebar Brown

Orlebar Brown’s impact on modern swimwear can’t be overstated. It’s the brand that really acted as a springboard for the concept of tailored swim shorts.

The whole idea is clothing that can transition seamlessly from the beach to the bar and back again without breaking a sweat – items that allow you to pack light for vacations, yet look the part when you arrive.

It’s also well known for its use of patterns and enlarged photographic prints (tastefully executed, of course), so if you like the idea of an attention-grabbing co-ord, we’d encourage you to take a look.

Shop now at Orlebar Brown

Frescobol Carioca

Born on the sun-soaked beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Frescobol Carioca makes clothes that work as well in a city heatwave as they do on Copacabana. Expect Cuban-collar shirts and drawstring shorts made from Tencel or linen, often adorned with tasteful geometric prints inspired by Brazilian surfboard patterns.

Cheap? Far from it. But hey, you get what you pay for, and these are some of the best co-ords around.

Shop now at Frescobol Carioca

Reiss

Summer dress codes tend to be more relaxed, but that’s no excuse for sloppiness. Reiss understands that warm-weather wardrobes still need a hint of polish, and its tasteful co-ord sets are proof of that.

From patterned polo sets to cooling crochet two-pieces, the selection of matching tops and bottoms is second to none. While the prices aren’t cheap by any means, they’re certainly more affordable than the likes of Frescobol and Orlebar Brown.

Shop now at Reiss

NN07

Copenhagen’s NN07 majors in minimalism, which makes its co-ords timeless and easy to wear.

The brand favours organic cotton and linen blends cut into breezy camp-collar shirts and relaxed drawstring shorts with proper pockets. Garment-dyeing gives each piece a lived-in depth of colour, and restrained branding keeps things clean.

Throw on the set with leather sandals and a nice watch, and you’re good to go.

Shop now at NN07

Lacoste

A century of tennis heritage gives Lacoste all the authority it needs to remake the warm-weather uniform in its image. Think towelling sets in retro colour blocking and piqué polos with matching shorts that nod to court whites without feeling costumey.

From tracksuits to tennis kit, this is a brand that has built its entire aesthetic around matching tops and bottoms, so it makes perfect sense that its summer co-ords would be some of the best.

Shop now at Lacoste

Casablanca

Looking for something a bit more capital-F ‘Fashion’? A bit more high-end? Casablanca has what you need.

Silk blends, airy poplin and plush terry towelling meet vivid prints and sporty motifs that borrow from 1970s Monaco and North African tilework. Louder than most? Yes. More expensive than most? Definitely. But if you’re after a top-flight co-ord that’ll turn some heads, this is the label to shop.

Shop now at Farfetch