Matching sets - YouLookFab Forum

hi everyone,

hope you are all well and keeping safe.

Just wondering if anyone has experience and suggestions on how to wear matching sets. I realise that I often do this with my trousers suit, I seldom use the 2 pieces together but very often use the blazer to complete a different outfit and sometimes wear the trousers with a silk blouse separately.

I am starting to think that a coordinated knitted top and a skirt would be a good alternative to a winter dress as I would be able to mix and match it with the other items. I have attached some pictures to give you an idea, they are all separate pieces.

Has anyone bought a top and skirt in the same pattern to make it look like a dress and use separately? Any suggestions or watch outs?

thank you!!!

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4 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Yes. I like 2 pieces that look like a dress for easier access to my stomach for insulin injections before meals, and have several. Most are older Eileen Fisher, but the latest was a print skirt and matching top bought late last summer at Nordstrom Rack. The brand is Philosophy. The print has several colors that I wear on a navy background, so the pieces are east to wear in other ways. The other most worn pieces are a striped tee shirt fabric skirt and tee, that make an easy and casual tee shirt dress. I am short so in matching sets I feel that I look a bit taller.
Just make sure the sets are the same color or blend well. Sometimes if top and bottom are different fabric, the dye does not take in the same way. Also, be sure that you have a topper for your outfit.

Minaminu

thanks Joy!!! this is so helpful! Good to know that matching sets make you look taller, I am 1.65m and would welcome any optical illusion that can make me taller!!!

If you don't mind me asking... do you use a belt or scarf to bring it together?

unfrumped

Not sure what hemisphere you are in, for seasons?
Meaning, exact matches seem to show up more in lightweight fabrics because the exact same material can be used for top and skirt--cottons, silks, poly (which you may have nixed). Seems harder to do warmer fabrics in matching colors.
Solid colors in same dye show up in EF collections a lot--but pricey, and also her pieces are not very tailored, so in those items I have to choose size and fit to avoid shapeless look .on my frame. Pendleton seems to do some matching wool fabrics and knits for cooler weather.
Things to think about with 2-piece "dresses" include whether you want to tuck in top, or not, or both/either, depending on styles.
Another idea for separates as dresses is to use neutral tonal colors or color blocking. . Of course is not as likely to look like it's a dress, but has the effect of not breaking up the line nearly as much as more mix and match skirt and top--similar to column of color with pants outfits. Not sure of your targeted color palette for something like that, but whites and creams can blend, many options for fall-ish colors; intentional navy + black where there is enough differnce between the hues.

anchie

I have 2 sets, but they are not winter weight. If you buy both pieces from the same brand, it is much easier to match.

Zalando

Whistles BRUSHED LEOPARD SHELL - Bluse

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Whistles BRUSHED LEOPARD WRAP SKIRT - Wickelrock

unframped, I am based in London, UK... the weather here varies a lot. Winter can be mild but also very windy, I am thinking that merino wool would be a good option.

Anchie. these are lovely pieces!

It seems to me that it may easier to find matching sets for the spring summer!

kkards

Yes, this was actually “a thing” back in the late 80s/early 90s. The retailer i worked for sold tons of “2 piece dressing”, it was/is a great way to get a dress look if you need different sizes on top and bottoms. Back in the day, i did not wear the pieces separately, but i would if this was how i was dressing today. 1 call out, is to wash (or dry clean) them together so that they remain the same color over time.
I saw these in Angie’s finds, and i think they are exactly what you are talking about

Nordstrom

Boss by Hugo Boss Fucille Knit Midi Pencil Skirt

Boss by Hugo Boss Festiny Zip Front Cardigan

Boss by Hugo Boss Faven Knit Swing Top

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES to the fabness of the two-piece dress, Minaminu! They are easier to find in Summer, but as kkards pointed out - they are available in Winter too.

Suz is Queen Two-Piece Dress so I hope she chimes in. She has fabulous seasonal variations.

Thanks everyone! Lots of good ideas and interesting points!!!

Sal

I only have one but I do like it. I wear both pieces separately but the skirt a little more- but I like it best together.

I would love a winter one too - I haven’t actively looked for one but might do so.

In the 1990s they were quite a thing here and I had three - tee style tops, and a mix of floaty and midi skirts. I also had a floaty culotte set in cream that I loved.

Gigi

I lucked upon a gray turtleneck that was almost the exact same color as a gray knit skirt that I have. The turtleneck was also the perfect length to wear untucked over the skirt. When I wear them together, they look very good, just like a dress. It's very comfortable too. If you wanted to do something similar, you could look for a very fitted turtleneck with a relatively short length in the same color as a knit skirt.

Thanks Sal and Gigi for chipping in! Great ideas :). Gigi, I was indeed thinking of a knitted top and knitted skirt... Tricky to find but they would work well with the winter!

Did you use a belt or scarf around the waist? I think the idea has lots of potential but I really don't know how to tie them in together without getting more attention on the hips!

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