The maths of a co-ord set is what makes it the smartest purchase in your summer wardrobe: one set is really three outfits — the full set, the top alone, and the bottom alone. Style each piece with what you already own and one co-ord quietly becomes five or six different looks. Here's exactly how to do it.
1. Wear It as a Set (the Zero-Effort Outfit)
The whole point of a co-ord is that the thinking has been done for you. Worn together, a matching set reads as intentional and put-together with absolutely no styling effort — which is why it's the ideal travel outfit, brunch outfit, and "I have ten minutes" outfit.
The Tulum Crochet Co-ord Set is our classic here — handcrafted crochet texture that works from café to beach. For something in pure white, the Albaire White Crochet Co-ord is the set that photographs beautifully in any light.
2. The Top with High-Waist Denim
Take the co-ord top and pair it with high-waist jeans or denim shorts — instantly a completely different outfit. Crochet tops especially benefit from this: the handmade texture against plain denim makes the whole look feel curated rather than casual.
This works particularly well with printed sets like the Kaleidosa Printed Co-ord — the top alone over denim is a statement piece in its own right.
3. The Bottom with a Plain White Tee or Bodysuit
The reverse move: co-ord skirts and shorts pair beautifully with simple solid tops. A crochet or printed skirt with a plain white tee and sandals is an effortless market-day or holiday outfit. The Lumière Coastal Skirt Set's skirt works exactly this way — the set for evenings, the skirt with a tee for daytime.
4. Layer the Set for Evening
Come evening, add a crochet shrug over your co-ord and the same outfit shifts into dinner territory. A neutral shrug like the Seville over a printed or white set adds texture without competing with it. Gold jewellery, strappy sandals, done.
5. Mix Two Sets Together
If you own two co-ords, you own four mix-and-match outfits. Pair the top from one with the bottom of another — this works best when one set is a solid or neutral and the other is printed. White co-ord top + printed skirt, or printed top + white shorts. This is how a capsule wardrobe stretches through a two-week holiday with hand luggage only.
Why Crochet Co-ords Work So Hard
Handcrafted crochet sets have a natural advantage in the co-ord game: the texture is the design. Solid-colour crochet never looks plain the way solid jersey does, so each separated piece holds its own as a standalone. Every RUI set is handmade by Indian artisans — 40+ hours of work per set, made in small batches.
Browse all our sets in the Co-ord Sets collection — and if you're packing for a trip, our Goa packing list shows how two co-ords can anchor an entire holiday wardrobe.