Style Strategies 101: Rule of Thirds
First post on a series I'm calling Style Strategies 101. Class is in session! 👩🏼🏫
Let’s get super practical! I know this is the kind of content everyone asks for, and I hope to serve you well with this series!
I don’t want you to think of these as “rules” but more helpful tips when you can’t decide what you wear or why an outfit isn’t “working”. Everyone’s bodies are different, and you may find some of these tips don’t work for you and that’s ok! Play around with your closet and see how you can style your clothes best for you as opposed to simply “wearing” your clothes. And that’s a phrase you’ll hear a lot in this series: wearing your clothes vs styling them. There’s a big difference!
Rule of Thirds
When it comes to putting the "rule of thirds" into practice when dressing, this means the body is balanced and perceived best by the brain when broken up into thirds.
Examples:
This concept of breaking the body into thirds can be a helpful guide when it comes to dressing in a way that is flattering and visually appealing. By dividing the body into thirds, you can create a balanced and harmonious look. For example, when choosing an outfit, consider proportions such as the length of your top, the placement of your waistline, and the hemline of your bottoms. By paying attention to these proportions, you can make the most of your silhouette and enhance your overall style. Remember proportions can often include heaviness of fabric, print, etc.
The basic way to accomplish this is to use your natural waistline as the dividing place. This will vary with every body. My legs are shorter and I have a small bust so sometimes I like to give the illusion of a higher waistline. If you have different proportions, play around with this concept so that it feels comfortable to you.
If front tucking scares you (and I’ve spoken to many of you who feel this way!) try a smaller front tuck, tying button down shirts at your waistline, half tucking button downs, or tucking your shirt in completely and then laying a third piece over to “distract” from the tucking.
Examples:
Of course it’s obvious, but we certainly ar not aiming for perfection here. But I find many times when I put something on and I look at myself and think “something about this seems off…” often it’s because my proportions are not right. My legs look to short, my body is cut off at a weird spot, or something else like that. If you ever feel this, the Rule of Thirds is a great place to start with when making the outfit work better.
Many of us do not have a “true hourglass” figure. I know I’m slightly more of a rectangle because I have broad shoulders, a small bust, and bigger hips. So in order to give the illusion of a waistline, I use many of the following to help:
belts
tucking
tying
well fitting pants (i.e. not low rise)
jackets that cut in at the sides
balancing prints and fabrics appropriately (so I don’t look bottom heavy)
pushing up my sleeves to show my wrists (helps balance out my shoulders)
That’s pretty much it!
As you will see in this series many of these tips overlap with this rule…I would consider this a foundational concept when it comes to dressing proportionately.
If you ever want any more tips or strategies on putting together outfits, check out my Pinterest board!
I’m happy to answer any questions and I would love to help you “fix” any outfits you are struggling with! Send me pictures and let’s work together!
Thanks for doing me on this little series! Next we will discuss another tactic for putting together a cohesive outfit.
If you found any of this helpful or intriguing, I would be so honored if you shared this post! Thank you for your support! 🤎