One set. Every plan. Packing light for a weekend away usually means choosing between outfits: one for the journey, one for the day, something smarter for the evening — and a bag that will not close. A co-ord set answers the problem differently. Wardley's Kingsway waffle knit zip jacket co-ord set, £149.95, is two pieces cut to work as one outfit and to split across a trip: a waffle knit zip jacket with a shirt-style collar, and matching straight-leg trousers, in a regular fit, sizes S–XXL. This guide is about packing that one set — and letting it cover the whole weekend.
The packing problem: a small bag, three different days
A short trip is not one occasion. There is the journey itself, a day spent walking and looking around, an evening meal, and the trip home — each with a slightly different dress code, and none of them worth a separate outfit in a small bag. The usual result is either overpacking or one compromise outfit worn on repeat. A matching set removes the decision: the two pieces are designed to go together, so the set is an outfit the moment it comes out of the bag, and each piece still works on its own with the plain basics most men already pack. If you are still weighing up the set itself — how it fits, what it is made from, how the sizing runs — our Waffle Co-ord Set: Questions Answered covers the practical questions.
The journey: wear the set, do not pack it
The simplest packing rule is to wear the bulkiest thing you are taking. Worn together for travel, the Kingsway reads as a single, deliberate outfit rather than travel clothes: the zip jacket's shirt-style collar gives it the outline of an overshirt, the trousers are straight-leg, and the waffle texture carries the interest so everything else can stay plain — a white tee underneath and clean trainers. Because the set is worn, not packed, the bag itself only has to hold the supporting pieces: tees, a knit, underwear and shoes.
Day two: split the set across the day
This is where a co-ord earns its space. Split the set and it becomes two more outfits from the same two pieces. The jacket goes over a plain tee with jeans or chinos for the daytime; the straight-leg trousers pair with a knit or a sweatshirt instead. Neither half looks borrowed from a set — the jacket is a collared zip jacket in its own right, and the trousers are plain straight-leg trousers — so the day does not read as yesterday's outfit rearranged. Our guide to wearing men's co-ord sets covers the together-and-apart principle in full, and our waffle knit explainer covers why the texture works as the outfit's detail.
The evening: together again, and it looks intentional
For the evening, put the set back together. Worn as one, a matching set looks chosen rather than assembled — the quickest route to looking put-together in a place you have never been, with a wardrobe the size of a holdall. Keep the layer underneath plain and the shoes clean, and let the matching jacket and trousers do the work. That is the whole packed-bag argument: one set, worn together for the journey and the evening, split for the day between — three looks, two pieces, no outfit decisions at the hotel mirror.
Which colour should you pack?
The Kingsway comes in four colourways — Ecru, Black, Grey and Stone — and the packing rule is the same for each: choose the colour that works with the tees, knitwear and shoes already in the bag, not the one that needs new companions. Black is the easiest evening option; Ecru and Stone read lightest for daytime and travel; Grey sits between the two. Because both pieces share one colour, the rest of the bag can stay neutral and small.
Which size should you order? Check the measurements first
The Kingsway is a regular fit; if you are between sizes, size up for a relaxed fit. Judge the size from the garment measurements below (for the jacket, measured as supplied by the maker) rather than from a letter size carried across from another brand:
| Size | Chest | Length | Sleeve |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 115cm | 72cm | 48cm |
| M | 121cm | 74cm | 50cm |
| L | 127cm | 76cm | 52cm |
| XL | 133cm | 78cm | 54cm |
| XXL | 139cm | 80cm | 56cm |
The simplest check is to measure a jacket that already fits you comfortably and compare. The fabric is polyester waffle knit — stated plainly, as it is on the product page — and for care, follow the label inside the garment. If you need help interpreting a measurement, email support@wardleylondon.co.uk with the size you are considering before ordering, or see our size guide.
Price, delivery and returns — the practical details
The Kingsway waffle co-ord set is £149.95, with free tracked UK delivery. Orders are dispatched in 1–2 working days and delivered in 6–10 working days from order — so order ahead of the trip, not in the same week, if the weekend is the reason for buying. There are 30-day returns on unworn items; return postage is paid by you unless the item is faulty or incorrect.
Building a small wardrobe that travels well? See our men's capsule wardrobe guide, browse the men's matching sets collection, or read how to wear matching knit sets.