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The 'Co-ord' Renaissance

Rewind a few years and general opinion was that a successful outfit should be brow knittingly executed as a sartorial tetris of colour, print and cut combinations, passed off with just thrown together insouciantness. Then lockdown happened and frankly we lost all skills or inclination to attempt such stylistic mathematics. A year in tracksuits gave us little (read no) patience with elaborate styling, or really anything past simply 'getting dressed.' So understandably as we eased out into the world the dress became our friend- with its throw it on, barely accessorise and still look pulled together appeal. But now? Life is feeling a little more normal, and (apologies in advance to all the dress lovers out there) are dresses feeling just a little, safe? Personally the excitement isn't there anymore. My eye is wandering. I need more.


Enter 'The coord': The coordinated two piece. An outfit that is as easy to throw on as a dress, requires none of the styling decisions that we are still not quite ready for, but feels somehow subversive and adventurous in it's matchy matchiness. The coord is no new creation though- it's been around for centuries: Even as far back as Elizabethan times women wore matching bodices and skirts. Then in the 1920s, Coco Chanel caused a coup with her matching patterned jersey two pieces, which became formalised as workwear of the of the 1950's. By the 1960's Mary Quant and Pierre Cardin had introduced futuristic monochrome that shaped the pop culture friendly future of the co-ord. And of course the seventies was the heyday for the resort style printed two piece, immortalised by Slim Aarons in his palm beach photography.


Bearing all this in mind this season's renaissance should come as no surprise. However SS22 brings a fresh look to an old classic- There's a pleasingly masculine sniff of Miami vice about a lot of the co-ords out there that fills me with vitamin D vibes. That we should be where palm trees grow, with aviators and a 1980's car. Plus on a sensible and sustainable note a co-ord can be styled together or as separates, essentially doubling the wardrobe value. And of course we can create our own co-ords with pieces we already own ( denim on denim anyone?)

So: Minimal effort with maximum effect? I'm here for it.

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