"A good set solves a specific problem: it removes the guesswork. Shirt and shorts cut from the same fabric, in the same colour, are never going to clash — which makes a set the closest thing to a uniform that still looks deliberate rather than lazy"

Not every set is worth owning, though. The cheap ones are usually thin, matched only in colour rather than fabric weight, and they lose shape within a few washes. What separates a set worth keeping from one worth skipping comes down to three things: the fabric holds its structure, the fit works loose or fitted without looking sloppy, and the pieces are genuinely useful apart, not just together.

With that in mind, here's where we'd start — including the one set we make ourselves, because we built it around exactly this brief.

The Monaco Crochet Set is the clearest example: a relaxed-fit button-up shirt and matching shorts, both cut from 100% cotton crochet knit. The open weave keeps it breathable in real heat, and the ribbed cuffs and embroidered detailing stop it from reading as beachwear-only. Worn together it's a complete look; worn apart, the shirt layers over a plain tee and the shorts pair with almost anything in a neutral colour.

If you'd rather build your own pairing, the Crochet Shirt and the Crochet Shorts are sold separately, so you can mix them with pieces already in your wardrobe rather than committing to the full set at once.

For something less overtly textured, the Quarter-Zip Polo in Cream pairs cleanly with the crochet shorts for a softer, more understated set — useful if you want the ease of a matching look without the full crochet texture on top.

Finish either combination with the Monaco Crew Socks — a small detail, but the kind that separates an outfit someone put thought into from one they didn't.