Co Ord Sets for Women: How to Wear Them in Dubai
Top and trousers that match, cut loose, in a colour you love. Co ord sets are the easiest outfit in the Gulf. Here is how we wear them.
Ask any woman in Dubai what she reaches for on a busy day and there is a good chance the answer is a co-ord. Co ord sets, a top and bottom made to match, have quietly become the uniform of the city. They look finished in seconds, they suit the heat, and they make modest dressing feel easy rather than effortful.
We design our sets for exactly that life. Here is what we have learned about choosing and wearing them.
Why co ord sets work so well here
Three reasons. First, they look complete with zero thought, which matters when it is 40°C and you have ten minutes. Second, a relaxed set covers you without feeling heavy, so it works for the office, the mall and a family lunch. Third, you are really buying two pieces. The top and the trousers each work with the rest of your wardrobe.
How to choose a good co-ord set
Look at the cut first
For the Gulf, go relaxed. Wide or straight trousers, a top with some room through the body, sleeves that sit a little away from the arm. Tight sets look dated quickly and they are uncomfortable in the heat.
Then the fabric
You want something that breathes and drapes. A fabric with a little weight hangs beautifully and doesn't cling. Hold it up to the light: you should sense air through it without seeing through it.
Then the colour
Soft neutrals like sand, ivory and stone are the most versatile. A muted colour such as olive, sky blue or terracotta feels special while still being easy to wear. If it is your first set, pick the colour you'd happily wear twice a week.
Five ways to wear one set
- All together, flat sandals. The classic. Errands, coffee, the mall.
- Together, with gold and a structured bag. Instantly dinner-ready.
- Top tucked loosely, trousers with a white shirt over everything. A smart office look.
- Just the trousers, with a simple long-sleeved tee. Weekend easy.
- Under an abaya. (More in our guide to modest fashion in Dubai.) A soft set is the most comfortable thing to wear underneath, and it still looks like an outfit when the abaya comes off indoors.
Wearing a co-ord modestly
Co ord sets are naturally modest when they are cut right: long trousers, a top that covers the hips, sleeves you are comfortable with. Add a long open layer or an abaya for more coverage, or a scarf for prayer or a mosque visit.
The best set is the one you forget you are wearing, at 9am in the office and at 9pm at dinner.
Caring for your set
Wash both pieces together so the colour ages evenly. Cool wash, gentle cycle, dry flat or on a hanger in the shade. The Gulf sun fades colours faster than you'd expect, so keep sets out of direct sunlight on the balcony.
Questions we get asked
Are co ord sets still in style?
Very much. In the Gulf they have gone beyond a trend and become a wardrobe staple, especially relaxed, modest cuts.
What shoes go with a co-ord set?
Flat leather sandals, clean white sneakers, or loafers. For evenings, a low heel or an elegant mule.
Can I wear the pieces separately?
Yes, and you should. That is how one set becomes several outfits.
