MATCHY, MATCHY

It’s summertime and the dressin’ is easy … right? Well, it is if you go with co-ordinating pieces (or co-ords, if you can’t be bothered to say the whole word). Not only are they amazing for your vacation suitcase (two pieces and a few extras equals three easy outfits), they also take some of the stress out of summer shopping. There’s also no limit to the type of co-ords you can find these days, so from shorts and skirts to blazers and blouses, Rebecca Tayshowcases five matching, summer-ready sets.

RAINBOW BRIGHT

Aptly named ‘starburst’, this happy, rainbow-striped set is sure to bring some cheer to your summer closet — and it’s one co-ord set that we almost love better as separates. However you style the shirt and skirt, prepare to turn heads on the beach, on the street, at work and at play. Reformation, thereformation.com | Top, US$128; skirt, US$148

IN THE TROPICS

Perfect for boat trips and park days alike, this flirty, ruffled crop top and wrap skirt combo is summer in an outfit. The top also looks great with denim cutoffs and espadrilles for ultracasual days.

Zara, zara.com | Crop top, $35.90; skirt, $39.90

URBAN SAFARI

If you think co-ords are all about suits or crop tops and flouncy skirts, this versatile set by Sunday Best is about to prove you wrong. The boxy ‘Cookie’ jacket is a cool cross between a denim jacket and a classic button-down, while the ‘Meriliese’ shorts are fitted and not-so-fitted in all the right places. Aritzia, aritzia.com |

Jacket, $98; shorts $58

LEMONADE STAND

Add a bit of zest to your workwear wardrobe with this two-piece blazer-and-skirt set. The jacquard fabric and flattering trumpet shape of the skirt is smart and sophisticated, while the fun lemon print is a playful touch. Try contrasting the skirt with an oxford-striped button-down for a fashion-forward, Jenna Lyons-inspired (in her J.Crew days) look. J.Crew, jcrew.com | Blazer, $194; trumpet skirt, $128

INTO THE BLUE

A well-fitting statement blazer is always a welcome addition to any closet — consider it your power piece for job interviews, client lunches, and meetings with your accountant or lawyer. This azure-blue, contrast-stitched set by Topshop comes with cropped trousers that also look great sans blazer, colour-blocked with an orange or yellow fitted blouse. The Bay, thebay.com | Blazer, $135; cropped trousers, $90