How to style a matching set, together and apart

So we grew together, / Like to a double cherry, seeming parted, / But yet a union in partition. Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, act 3, scene 2

To style a matching set, wear it together first, then take it apart. Together it reads as one outfit. Apart, the top and the trousers each join clothes you already own.

One set, then, gives you three ways to dress. Here they are, on six sets from Masidas, with the lengths that decide what goes with each piece.

A short history of the matching set

English took its word for a matched outfit, ensemble, from French, where it means together. Two older sets show the two ways a matching set can go. One went out to work, and the other stayed home.

The first is the twinset, a sweater and a cardigan made to match. It appeared in the 1930s and is credited to Otto Weisz, a knitwear designer at Pringle of Scotland. In the 1950s and 1960s it went to work, worn above all by secretaries and teachers. Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn were often seen in one, on set and off.

The second is pajamas, a shirt and trousers that became men’s nightwear in Britain from about 1870. The word comes from the Persian for a leg garment. Style your set like the first, and it will not look like the second.

1. 1870 From about this year, pajamas become men’s nightwear in Britain.
2. 1930s The twinset appears, credited to Otto Weisz at Pringle of Scotland.
3. 1950s Twinsets go to work, worn above all by secretaries and teachers.

Together, one outfit. Apart, two more.

How to style a matching set together

Worn together, a set draws one line of color from the collar to the hem. That line is the point, so break it once, with a bag, a coat or shoes in another color. Most sets here are shown with a single tan, brown or cream bag.

Shoes decide how dressed the set looks. Loafers or a low heel take it out to lunch, and white sneakers keep it for errands.

Our side button tunic and trouser set has a long tunic with a row of small buttons down one side, over straight trousers. The cami and wide leg pants set pairs a cropped cami with high waisted wide leg pants. In the turtleneck knit and trouser set, a wrap panel crosses the front and fastens with three large gold tone buttons.

How to style a matching set apart: the top

Apart, start with the top. Its length decides what goes with it.

The cami is cropped and ends above the waist. Wear it with anything high waisted, such as our tailored wide leg trousers or a satin midi skirt. The long tunic of the side button set goes over slim trousers or jeans. Its front opens below the last button, so it moves easily.

The turtleneck knit is an oversized tunic. Over jeans it is a weekend sweater, and under a long coat it goes to the office. The same goes for our velvet blazer and flare trouser set. Its fitted, double breasted blazer goes over jeans or a dress, and the flares take a plain knit.

How to style a matching set apart: the trousers

The trousers are easier. A wide leg wants a top that sits closer, and a straight leg takes almost anything.

With the wide leg pants of the cami set, wear a turtleneck sweater with good stretch, so the top stays close. The straight trousers of the tunic set suit our dropped shoulder crew sweater, whose page says to wear it with straight trousers. With the knit trousers of the turtleneck set, wear a long cardigan, such as our cable knit cardigan, which ends at the upper thigh.

Six sets, two lengths each

These are the top and trouser lengths of six sets in size S, in inches, from each product page.

Read the top first. At 10.6 inches, the cami is the one top here that ends above the waist, so its pants sit high to meet it. The side button tunic, at 49.2 inches, is more than four times as long.

The trousers sit close together, from 39.8 to 43.3 inches. Compare them with a pair you own, and see our guide on how to measure yourself for clothes for where to hold the tape.

The sweatshirt set, out of the house

Our half zip sweatshirt set pairs a half zip sweatshirt with straight pants. Its page calls it good for days at home and errands after. To take it further, keep the line and change what goes around it.

Clean white sneakers and a structured tote take it out, as the pictures show. Over it, wear a long open coat, such as our lapel button coat, which is lined and cut long and straight.

See every set in matching sets and pant sets, and the pieces to pair in knitwear and trousers. For wide legs on their own, read how to style wide leg trousers.

Questions about matching sets

Does a matching set look like pajamas?

Only if every detail says home, which is where pajamas have long belonged. Give the set one detail from outdoors, such as a coat, a structured bag or proper shoes.

Can you wear a matching set to work?

Yes, with office shoes and one layer over it, such as a long cardigan or a coat. For what else works at the office, read our guide to business casual.

What shoes go with a matching set?

Loafers or a low heel make it look dressed, as in most of the pictures here. White sneakers keep it relaxed. Leave house shoes at home.

How do you wear a matching set in winter?

Choose a knit set, or layer a light set under a cardigan and a long coat. A fine turtleneck can also go under the cami or the tunic.

Helena said it of a friend who once sewed one flower beside her. Wear your set apart all week, and it still grows on one stem.