It is undoubtedly the summer of the fashion co-ord. Or, as I prefer to call them, matching sets. I've never seen so many women wearing them as I have this summer. And, honestly, the sets I notice more than any other all – and I mean all – come from Zara.
Why? Because, for a high street retailer, Zara's designs are considered, stylish and almost all made from natural fibres such as cotton and linen. But more than that, the shapes and details are spot on from both a style and fashion perspective.
We've already covered their linen set with the asymmetric-hem top and loose trousers, which I saw two women wearing today, both looking excellent in it.
This crisp cotton version, with its floral-sprigged tomboyish waistcoat and matching sarouel trousers (inspired by trousers Persian merchants wore in desert heat to keep cool), manages to feel pretty without being sugary, relaxed without looking scruffy and considered without trying too hard.
It's an alchemy that's hard to achieve, and yet Zara has done it. The only matching set I currently own – a grass-green linen shirt and trouser set, now more than five years old – is from Zara. Apart from replacing a few buttons, it's still going strong.
So, yes, they're a good investment and of course the appeal of a matching set is obvious: it requires as little thought as a pull-on-and-go dress, but with the freedom of separates.
Wear the pieces together and you've got a great summer outfit that looks as though you've made an effort. Split them up and you've instantly doubled your outfit options.
This floral cotton trouser-and-waistcoat set is my personal Zara favourite of the season. I'd wear it on holiday with simple leather sandals, a sunhat and a raffia bag, or around town with my favourite sunglasses.
At £28 for the top, £40 for the trousers and £68 for the set, on a cost-per-wear basis alone it will more than earn its place in your wardrobe. From a style perspective, it will give you multiple outfits for many summers to come.
