How to wear a set

A set is two pieces cut to agree. The easiest way to wear one is together. The better way is to split it, so each half does a second job.

The Chandpole set

The Chandpole set is a cropped shirt and denim shorts. The print sits on the yoke and the cuffs, and the rest of the shirt is plain. That placement is the trick for splitting it.

Wear the shirt alone over wide trousers in raw cotton. The yoke and cuffs carry the print, and the plain body keeps it from going loud. Wear it open over a white tee, and the print becomes two bars of colour at the shoulder and wrist.

Wear the shorts with anything that is not the shirt. They are 12 oz denim, cut high and straight with a deep turn up, so they read as a structured short, not a casual one. A plain white shirt and flat shoes are enough.

The Kishanpole set

The Kishanpole set is a wrap blouse in raw cotton and printed trousers in indigo and terracotta. The blouse is plain and the trousers carry all the print, so the pieces split cleanly.

Wear the blouse tied at the waist over the Amer trousers or the Jaali jeans. It gives a quiet top half to a loud leg. The blouson sleeves gather at the wrist, so push them up if the day is hot.

Wear the printed trousers with a plain tee or the Chhatri shirt, tucked in at the front only. Because the trousers sit high, a short top finishes at the waistband and the line is clean.

A rule for splitting

Keep one half plain. A set is cut so that the print and the plain cloth balance across the two pieces. When you split it, the plain half is the one that lets you mix.

If you want to wear both halves together, do it without belts and bags. The cut is doing the work.