Style

Wait, Are Matching Sets the Coolest Summer Uniform?

Recently, I’ve been spotting women around town wearing a new-to-me look…

Matching shorts and shirts. At first, I wasn’t sure if they looked like a seven-year-old’s outfit, but when women pair them with hoops and sandals, they feel decidedly cool and adult.

I like these oversized shirts and shorts from Target.

And this textured cotton pair — comes in four colors. They’re be perfect for summer adventures, like picnics, bike rides and road trips.

Thoughts? Would you wear a shorts set? I’m getting into it!

P.S. The best sneakers for long walks, and a French lipstick trick.

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Laura

July 14, 2022 9:46am 9:46 am

Nope, I cannot. It just reads pyjamas to me!

Jenny

June 28, 2022 12:03pm 12:03 pm

Gwyneth is also writing about them on GOOP. Hm. I am not so sure. It looks too much like PJs to me! Will stick with mixing and matching tops and bottoms. with love fr France

Leighton Henderson

June 27, 2022 1:16pm 1:16 pm

You’ve got to check out Sonnet James: https://www.sonnetjames.com/products/copy-of-copy-of-paper-bag-shorts-set?variant=40077566640213. It’s woman-owned, and everything is sewed in the Bay Area.

Shelly

Reply to Leighton Henderson

June 27, 2022 1:48pm 1:48 pm

I was just about to post the same thing! Love Sonnet James!

Kris

June 27, 2022 11:37am 11:37 am

eek the striped sets are soooo cute even though not practical for my body temperature (long sleeves and shorts)

i was really eyeing elizabeth suzann’s matching sets, and “created” my own by ordering matching shirt and pants from linocolore.etsy.com

for winter i’m totally eyeing Sanvt

Anna

Reply to Kris

June 27, 2022 12:55pm 12:55 pm

The striped sets are by Ayr, and they make a short sleeve shirt too. I just bought one last week (bc I have the long sleeve too… Oprah influenced me, haha). I actually like the short sleeve better. It’s a more flowy fabric, which works better with my body type.

varina(@varina)

June 23, 2022 3:35pm 3:35 pm

Love this trend…but can we get a (conservative) workplace-appropriate style? It can’t actually look like pajamas (though I’d love an elastic waist), and loud prints also not really ok, at least for the bottom. Would love pants and skirt and shorts option, with a long sleeve and short sleeve top…IE, I can throw it on, be comfortable, and change only my jewelry or a scarf and look professional no matter what.

(Am I just describing a monochrome capsule wardrobe? If so, what’s the place to go?)

jannelle sanchez(@jannelle)

Admin

Reply to varina

June 23, 2022 4:02pm 4:02 pm

Hi Varina! I totally get this!

Here are some cute and workplace appropriate skirt, shorts and pants options:
Shorts (I’d get the tan and navy colors)- https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/shorts/bermuda/10-bermuda-stretch-chino-short/H5826?display=standard&fit=Classic&color_name=honey-brown&colorProductCode=H5826
Skirts
Shorts: https://shop.mango.com/us/women/shorts-casual/bow-flowy-shorts_27009403.html
Shorts: https://mmlafleur.com/products/fletcher-shorts-nep-suiting-safari
Linen Blazer: https://shop.mango.com/us/women/jackets-and-suit-jackets-blazers/linen-blazer-suit_27097105.html?c=50
Skirt: https://shop.mango.com/us/women/skirts-midi/pleated-midi-skirt_27094759.html
Skirt: https://www.jcrew.com/us/p/womens/categories/clothing/skirts/pencil/no-2-pencil-skirt-in-bi-stretch-cotton/G0823?color_name=navy&colorProductCode=G0823

Also M.M La Fleur has a lot of quality staple pieces that you can easily make a capsule out of. Their prices are on the higher side but their clothes last foreverrr: https://mmlafleur.com/

Alexis

Reply to varina

June 30, 2022 3:45pm 3:45 pm

Check out Vetta! They specialize in capsule collections based on a specific vibe. They have a lot of clothing items that are convertible and super versatile.
Buying pieces from different brands in similar colors also has the same effect as a matching set. For example, I have a Fog Linen sleeveless top that I wear with Muji wide legged bottoms. They’re both indigo and look great together. I also love doing this with skirts.

Kelly

June 23, 2022 11:38am 11:38 am

Definitely a fan…I haven’t actually been able to find any that I like enough to buy, though (or if I have, I can’t bring myself to do it because it’s too expensive). I’ll like the shorts and not the shirt, or vice versa, or the set will skew a little too “pajama-y” for me…of course you can buy the pieces separately, but when they’re supposed to match exactly, that kind of defeats the point. So the search continues!

Sarz

June 23, 2022 10:55am 10:55 am

I was just lucky enough to thrift a Samantha Pleet shorts-and-tank set. I feel pretty great in it, and decidedly un-pajama-y. If suits are always a good choice in a professional atmosphere, this feels like the day-off equivalent. I’m in.

Suzanne

June 22, 2022 10:53pm 10:53 pm

Eek…looks so comfortable and chic but still too pajama-y for me. Will admire from afar as I wear my summer dresses.

Jenny/AdventuresAlongTheWay

June 22, 2022 9:45pm 9:45 pm

I just got a matching black linen set of long maxi skirt and a 3/4 length top. When I got them, I mainly wanted the skirt, and I figured I’d wear both but separately. But maybe I’ll try them together too. When I tried them on, I liked it more than I thought I would! And that was before I knew this was a trend, so now I guess I’ll probably start noticing people doing matching sets around here too.

Bex

June 22, 2022 5:47pm 5:47 pm

Yes! My friend lent me a very cool shorts co-Orr set for a recent holiday. I loved it!

Caroline

June 22, 2022 4:35pm 4:35 pm

Sets! Sets! Sets!! I’ve been on the hunt for a couple of months and this. blog. It’s a treasure trove. Thank you for all of the ideas of how to execute this.

Jen

June 22, 2022 4:34pm 4:34 pm

When you sew you can make this. I have plans for an Acton dress with a simple top over it. And a navy wide leg Pietra pant with another simple top. Same fabric.

neisha

June 22, 2022 4:16pm 4:16 pm

Wow, today I was just thinking why is it just Grandma’s that get to wear those matching outfits, and then I see your article! boom exactly what I was thinking! I am all in.

Elle

June 22, 2022 3:14pm 3:14 pm

That was gym class in the ’70s, and I’m not going there again.

Carol Wayne

Reply to Elle

June 23, 2022 11:38am 11:38 am

SO TRUE!! One of my classmates called it our prison uniform.

gilli

June 22, 2022 2:57pm 2:57 pm

I am into these lately https://suziekondi.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjY2YsN7B-AIVNAnnCh1kwA5OEAAYASAAEgLvY_D_BwE sort of a grown up Juicy!

Anon

June 22, 2022 2:47pm 2:47 pm

Oooh, I like this! Will definitely try if I ever get around to buying some new clothes for the summer!! 😆

Cynthia

June 22, 2022 12:55pm 12:55 pm

I like matched sets. I’ve made some before, and getting dressed is so easy. And you can have the jumpsuit look without the fitting issues and getting undressed to use the bathroom.

Lauren

June 22, 2022 12:19pm 12:19 pm

I LOVE a matching set (NYC gal here) – i have a neon tropical print farm rio set from last summer that I adore and they do a ton of good ones! It’s such a fun way to dress and I get tons of compliments!

Bronwyn

June 22, 2022 11:45am 11:45 am

I’m obsessed with matching sets, I bought a green stripe set from my friend Hannah! If anyone is looking to support an indépendant Canadian designer, her stuff is amazing. https://hannahisolde.com/
I especially love her linen sets, they’re such happy colours!

Sarz

Reply to Bronwyn

June 23, 2022 11:00am 11:00 am

I just checked out her site – she’s very talented! As a big-sleeve-and-collar lover, she’s got my attention!

CHC

June 22, 2022 11:30am 11:30 am

Ok I just came to this trend recently via sewing Instagram– Take a look at #fauxjumpsuit! I was planning to make a jumpsuit for a wedding I’m attending this weekend, and when I realized I could just make elastic waist pants and a flowy tank out of the same fabric, and then tuck in the top, my life honestly changed. No messing up the crotch to shoulder measurement, being able to choose different sizes for top and bottom, no getting fully nude to pee, and I can wear the separates later. I will be making more for sure.

Sasha L

Reply to CHC

June 22, 2022 12:02pm 12:02 pm

I love this!

Jenny/AdventuresAlongTheWay

Reply to CHC

June 22, 2022 9:33pm 9:33 pm

Oh, I’ve been contemplating doing this for a long time for the same reasons but haven’t gotten around to making a pattern and doing it! I was thinking of maybe attaching the top and bottom with internal buttons in the waistband.

Amanda

June 22, 2022 11:29am 11:29 am

UHM YES – FEWER DECISIONS WHEN DRESSING YAAAAAS

mary

June 22, 2022 11:10am 11:10 am

I only recently got into matching PJs again – love it! I was frumping it in t-shirts and whatever bottoms (recently 40). Got some official PJs from Target last year and it felt so lovely – I was taking care of myself. This trend feels like an extension, so I’d love to try. In general, I’d like to move myself from t-shirts to button downs as they seem more chic.

R R

Reply to mary

July 1, 2022 12:01pm 12:01 pm

Wait, you said (recently 40) like it’s a clear reason why someone might wear t-shirts to bed? I’ve been wearing t-shirts or whatever to sleep in all my life. Am I too early? LOL

Personally, I’d think the older someone gets the more like they’d be to wear something sophisticated to sleep, like a set or night gown,
versus any old grubby thing off the floor.

Age-related beliefs also strike me as funny. ANYWAY, also wanted to add that I love the look of a set. The stripe and gingham ones look so chic, while the solid sets (especially in earth tones) look very modern and cool to me. Yes yes to sets.

Julie

June 22, 2022 11:06am 11:06 am

Aren’t rompers basically matching short and shirt sets? It seems like a natural trend to split a romper set so it’s easier to pee.

Kirby

Reply to Julie

June 22, 2022 7:44pm 7:44 pm

I always love the reasonable mind – straight to the crux of the matter. I totally think you are right.

ACS Tri Gal

June 22, 2022 10:42am 10:42 am

This is my absolute favorite brand for this trend: https://www.shopwayre.com/collections/all/products/flow-short?variant=32425254748219
I have the snap tank and the Seville dress – the quality is unmatched and the colors are 👌🏽 It’s also affordable, and sustainable. And there’s a size for everyone. Even Talls for their pants! AND a model showing the size for each product, which I love. Worth a click 🤗

Lizzie

Reply to ACS Tri Gal

June 23, 2022 1:56pm 1:56 pm

Ooo thanks for sharing. So cute!

Olivia

June 22, 2022 10:41am 10:41 am

All these comments are hilarious and I’m just giggling/chuckling at work eating my danish.

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