FASHION: LONDON FASHION WEEK AW13: DO THE "CO-ORD"

Posted by Bethan Holt, Junior Fashion Editor at Large

Here's a FEAL version of what I wrote for today LFW paper, The Daily...

Matchy matchy has already been made modern. Recall way back when in Resort 2012, Phoebe Philo did shirts, jackets and joggers all styled together in the same floral print. Since then, the "co-ord", as matching outfits have been christened, has become a key component in the most wearable collections. It's an easy look, the bricks of which can quickly be taken apart to form a whole new outfit. A case in point was Zoe Jordan's Prince of Wales ensemble, or the striped set which Eudon Choi embellished with Swarovski crystals. While they look perfect together for full-on, mega matched impact, the best bit is that you could wear that check tee with a leather pencil skirt or play down the stripe trousers with a plain jumper. You might decry that surely that is what a dress is for. A total, easy-to-put-together look. Well, yes but separates are far more modern looking and I would bet that a co-ord induces boredom at a far slower rate precisely because you can change it around. From a designer's perspective, the co-ord is a commercial winner too because it persuades us to buy into two pieces to achieve one look (or if you're into Christopher Raeburn, you'll need the bag and boots too)

At Antipodium, there was the choice of a tweed bomber and wide leg look in either mustard or lilac checks. Creative Director Geoffrey Finch told me, "we were fed up of so much bitsiness, it's nice to have a whole look". Vogue's Emma Elwick-Bates summed up LFW's take on the co-ord, "I feel like it's really relevant in heritage fabrics now, like a modern Katharine Hepburn". We'll match to that.

A TUMBLE OF LFW CO-ORDS