Sets are everywhere! I am going to show my age here, but I remember several years ago sets were popular — perhaps not in the most fashion forward way. I remember floral prints in tops and shorts, even tops and pants, and really they were not exciting at all. But fast forward to today, and sets have been popular for quite a while. They are not the same as a suit such as a blazer/jacket and pants/skirt. They are made of the more stretchy, comfy materials and probably started in numbers during COVID — yes, five years ago now — when many people worked at home and stayed in their sweatpants all day! Maybe they changed their tops for that Zoom meeting. Given the popularity of sets, I’ve outlined some Indianapolis Women’s Styling tips for adding them to your wardrobe.
Indianapolis Women’s Styling Best Practices for Sets
Sets also have their roots in the athleisure/workout wear genre. In the 70s, track suits abounded — for good or bad! Here is an example of sets; the crop top may not be your jam, but you see the idea.
Photo by Marina Abrosimova
So what is different about today’s sets? They are made with amazing material. For instance, one of my clients was travelling and wanted something comfortable to wear. We bought a navy set with a zip-front, collared top; pants that were not jogger but wider leg. And they were so soft.
Advantages:
- They are nearly always very comfortable with fabric that breathes.
- They are perfect for long airplane rides.
- There is also more choice in the pants style. Choose from jogger, wide leg, straight leg styles, picking the one that flatters you most.
- They are versatile since you can break up the set and wear the top with jeans, even a maxi skirt; and the pants can be worn with sweaters or sweater blazers or other pieces.
- You will wear them over and over.
Disadvantages:
- One disadvantage is that sometimes we love one piece more than the other and buy the set just to have an easy way to wear it. For instance, one of my clients bought a brown set with a v-neck top and jogger pants. She ordered this set online and was not happy with the pants. Fortunately, this set sold as separates so she just returned the pants.
- Watch the fabric of sets. You’re going to be happier with sets made predominantly of cotton, wool or even silk.
- Choose a color that pairs well with your wardrobe over what you see when you shop. Don’t decide too quickly you love a set, only to find out that it does not really go with anything else in your wardrobe.
- Watch the price point. Many sets may be selling at a great price, and you are tempted to buy since it’s a great buy. But if the fabric is not comfortable, you didn’t really get a bargain.
Once you find a “perfect” set, wear it with abandon. It’s great you can wear the set together, wear them with other pieces in your closet. And, you can wear them anytime — even when you are not on the plane.
My favorite set is a bright pink velour top and jogger pants from Lilly Pulitizer. It is cozy, warm and highly fashionable. I always get compliments on it. I wore it once flying through LAX during a very long flight coming back from Manila. There in LA, another passenger wore the same set only in a slightly light pink. I must admit I rarely wear the sets separately although I have tied the top over some skirts and tops on the way to the gym since it was slightly cold.
Accessorize your set either as athleisure with all kinds of sneakers from court shoes, metallic etc. If you are wearing them for a night out, try a low bootie or a loafer or pointy toe flat. You can also layer coats over them.
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Need Indianapolis Women’s Styling advice? Contact me at beth@bethdivnestyle.com for styling services.
Keep it sassy, Indy.
Beth Divine, MA, AICI-CIC, Personal Image Consultant
