
ASOS DESIGN Stripe Crochet Short Co-Ord in Brown Stripe: The Summer Set You’ll Wear on Repeat
There’s a certain kind of outfit that stops you mid-scroll. You’re not even sure you were looking for anything, but suddenly you’re staring at it, already picturing yourself wearing it somewhere warm, somewhere with a good cocktail in your hand and nowhere urgent to be. The ASOS DESIGN Stripe Crochet Short Co-Ord in Brown Stripe is exactly that kind of outfit. It has the laid-back confidence of something you might find in a vintage market in Ibiza, but it arrives styled, sized, and ready for the real world in a way that vintage rarely does.
This is a co-ord, which means it comes as a matching set — a top and shorts designed to work together, and in this case, they do it beautifully. The crochet construction, the earthy brown stripe palette, and the relaxed silhouette make this one of those pieces that genuinely earns the term “effortless.” But let’s be honest: effortless style takes thought. So if you’re wondering whether this set is worth the click, whether it’ll actually work for your body, your lifestyle, and your wardrobe, you’re in exactly the right place. Here is everything you need to know.
What Makes Crochet So Enduringly Popular?
Before getting into the specifics of this particular set, it’s worth pausing on crochet as a fabric choice, because it’s not just a trend — it’s a recurring cultural touchstone that has woven its way through fashion history more times than most people realize.
Crochet first crossed into mainstream fashion in the 1960s and 70s, beloved by the bohemian crowd for its handcrafted, artisanal feel. It was anti-establishment in the best possible way — clothing that looked like someone had made it with care and intention rather than stamping it out of a factory. It fell out of favour for a while as fashion shifted toward slick minimalism, but it has never truly disappeared. Every few years, crochet comes roaring back, and each time it does, it feels both nostalgic and completely current.
The reason for its endurance is simple: crochet is tactile, textured, and immediately distinctive. It photographs beautifully. It moves well on the body. It works in warm weather because the open weave allows airflow, making it genuinely practical as well as pretty. And it carries that handcrafted quality that resonates in an age when fast fashion has made so many clothes feel disposable and interchangeable.
The ASOS DESIGN version taps into all of this heritage while packaging it in a way that feels modern and wearable, not costume-y or overly retro.
Breaking Down the Design: What You’re Actually Getting
The co-ord comes in two pieces: a top and a pair of shorts. Both are made from a crochet fabric with a stripe pattern rendered in shades of brown. That stripe detail is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here, so let’s give it the attention it deserves.
Brown is having an extraordinary moment in fashion right now, and it’s not hard to understand why. After years of dominance from black, white, and grey neutrals, brown has emerged as the warm alternative — a colour that feels grounded, organic, and quietly luxurious. The brown stripe in this co-ord isn’t a single flat shade. It plays with tonal variation, which gives the piece depth and visual interest without veering into anything loud or overwhelming. The result is something that sits comfortably in a warm, earthy palette that complements a wide range of skin tones and works beautifully against tanned summer skin.
The crochet top typically features a cropped silhouette — fitted enough to look intentional but not so tight that it feels restrictive. The neckline is wide and relaxed, framing the collarbone and shoulders nicely. Because crochet has natural texture and structure, the top holds its shape without needing additional boning or rigid construction. It drapes in a way that is flattering without being body-con.
The shorts are equally well-considered. They sit at the waist with a comfortable fit through the hip and thigh, and the length hits at a point that is genuinely flattering for most body types — long enough to be versatile, short enough to read as a proper summer piece. The crochet fabric continues seamlessly from the top, which means the whole look flows together as a cohesive unit rather than two pieces that merely happen to match.
How to Style the ASOS DESIGN Stripe Crochet Co-Ord
One of the best things about a well-designed co-ord is its versatility. The pieces can be worn together as a set for maximum impact, or separated and styled individually for twice the outfit options. Here is how to get the most out of this particular set.
Wearing the Co-Ord as a Set
When you wear both pieces together, you get a complete look that needs almost nothing else. Keep accessories minimal and let the texture of the crochet do the work. A pair of simple gold hoop earrings, a strappy flat sandal in tan or nude leather, and a small woven bag or rattan clutch create a look that is put-together without being overdone. This is the outfit you wear for a beach lunch, a rooftop bar, an afternoon exploring a new city on holiday, or a summer garden party where you want to look like you tried without looking like you tried too hard.
For footwear, consider the heel height carefully. The co-ord has a relaxed, boho energy that doesn’t naturally pair with stilettos. A block heel mule or a low wedge sandal adds a touch of elevation while keeping the vibe grounded. Flat strappy sandals or espadrilles work just as well if you prefer to stay low.
Styling the Top Separately
The crochet top is enormously versatile on its own. Tuck it into a pair of wide-leg linen trousers in cream or tan for a smart-casual look that works from day to evening. Layer it over a simple white or nude bralette — since crochet is an open weave, what you wear underneath will show, so treat it as an opportunity for layering rather than a problem to solve. A neutral slip or bralette keeps things clean and intentional. For cooler evenings or transitional weather, the top can even be layered under an oversized blazer for a textural contrast that looks very intentional.
Styling the Shorts Separately
The crochet shorts pair beautifully with a simple fitted white tank or a classic white linen shirt, either tucked in or knotted at the hem. This is the kind of casual-cool combination that works for a beach-to-brunch transition. They also look great with a fitted ribbed crop top in a complementary earth tone — think terracotta, cream, caramel, or olive — to extend the warm, organic palette of the shorts into a full outfit.
What to Wear Underneath
This question comes up constantly with crochet, and rightfully so. Because crochet fabric is open-weave by nature, it isn’t opaque in the traditional sense. The key is to treat this as a design element rather than a limitation.
For the top, a well-fitting bralette or bandeau in a neutral colour is usually the most elegant solution. Beige, nude, or white all work beautifully and let the texture of the crochet remain the focal point. Some people prefer to match the undertone of the brown stripe with a warm caramel or chocolate-coloured base layer, which creates a very cohesive, intentional look.
For the shorts, a pair of seamless briefs or a nude thong in a shade close to your skin tone is the most practical choice. This prevents any visible underwear lines from competing with the beautiful texture of the crochet. Some people opt for a thin slip shorts layer underneath, which can add comfort and coverage while still allowing the shorts to look as intended on the outside.
Occasions and Destinations
Let’s talk about where you can actually wear this, because it helps to visualise an outfit in context.
Beach Holidays and Resort Wear: This is the most obvious natural habitat for this co-ord, and it earns its place there completely. Worn over a bikini as a beach cover-up and then kept on for a seafood lunch with a cold glass of wine, it moves seamlessly between contexts. Pack it light — crochet doesn’t wrinkle in a suitcase the way structured fabrics do — and it will become one of your most-worn holiday pieces.
Summer Festivals: A co-ord like this is festival gold. It looks good in photographs, it keeps you cool in warm weather, it has enough texture and interest to stand out in a crowd, and it pairs with practical footwear like boots or sandals without losing any of its charm. Layer a cropped leather jacket over the top for evenings when the temperature drops.
Rooftop Bars and Outdoor Dinners: This is not formal occasion wear, but it is absolutely the right level of elevated for a cocktail bar, a rooftop terrace, or an outdoor dinner in summer. Add some gold jewellery, a pair of heeled sandals, and a small clutch, and you have an outfit that feels dressed up without feeling overdressed.
Day-to-Evening Transitions: One of the most common wardrobe challenges is finding something that works both in the heat of the afternoon and into the cooler evening. Crochet handles this well. During the day, wear it as a set with flat sandals and minimal accessories. As the evening progresses, switch to a heeled mule, add a delicate gold necklace, and you have elevated the look without changing a single garment.
Caring for Crochet
Beautiful crochet deserves proper care, and looking after this co-ord well will significantly extend its lifespan.
Always check the care label before washing, but crochet knit pieces generally prefer a cool, gentle wash. Hand washing is ideal if you want to be thorough — fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of delicate detergent, submerge the garment gently, swirl it around without wringing or twisting, and then rinse thoroughly. Lay it flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping it as needed, rather than hanging it, which can cause crochet to stretch out over time.
If machine washing is necessary, use a mesh laundry bag on a delicate cycle with cold water and a gentle spin speed. Avoid the tumble dryer entirely — heat can cause knit and crochet fabrics to shrink or distort.
Store crochet pieces folded rather than on hangers, as the weight of the garment on a hanger can cause the fabric to stretch and lose its shape. If you’re storing it for an extended period, make sure it is clean first, as stains can set over time and attract moths in natural fibre garments.
Sizing and Fit Advice
ASOS sizing is generally consistent across their own-brand pieces, but it’s always worth checking the specific size guide for any garment before purchasing, especially for something like a crochet co-ord where the structure of the fabric means it won’t stretch and accommodate in the way a jersey or woven fabric might.
If you are between sizes, consider what fit you prefer for each piece individually. For the top, going up a size might give you a slightly more relaxed, slouchy fit that leans into the boho aesthetic. For the shorts, sizing true to your waist measurement will ensure the most comfortable and flattering result.
Read customer reviews if you can — ASOS review sections are genuinely useful for co-ords and knitwear, where other shoppers will often mention whether the piece comes up small, large, or true to size, and how it fits at different body measurements.
Why This Co-Ord Is Worth the Investment
There is a case to be made for buying well-designed, versatile pieces rather than accumulating disposable fast fashion, and this co-ord makes that case neatly. It is the kind of piece that you will wear throughout an entire summer season and then pull out again next summer with equal enthusiasm. The stripe and crochet combination doesn’t date in the way that more trend-specific pieces do. Brown as a colour is deep in a moment of cultural relevance but is simultaneously classic enough to age well.
The fact that it comes as a matching set means you are getting two pieces that are guaranteed to work together, which takes the thinking out of getting dressed on holiday or on a summer evening when you want to look good without deliberating over it for an hour. But because both pieces are equally strong on their own, you are also effectively getting two separate wardrobe additions that will integrate with other things you already own.
Final Thoughts
The ASOS DESIGN Stripe Crochet Short Co-Ord in Brown Stripe is one of those pieces that understands exactly what it is and delivers on that promise completely. It is a beautifully crafted, texturally rich, versatile summer set in a colour palette that feels current without being frivolous. It works for holiday, it works for home, it works dressed up and dressed down. The crochet construction gives it genuine visual interest and a tactile quality that photographs beautifully and wears even better in real life.
If your summer wardrobe is missing something with warmth, texture, and that particular kind of effortless style that takes real thought to achieve, this is the co-ord to consider. It is the piece that pulls an entire holiday capsule together, the set you reach for on the first warm day and keep reaching for all season long. Crochet has earned its place in fashion history many times over, and this version of it — grounded, warm, and beautifully conceived — is a worthy addition to that story.