This 1 Simple Fashion Rule Can Eliminate Awkward Outfits From Your Future

While some people live and die by the latest trends, there is one fashion rule that has stood the test of time.

“It’s supremely simple. Anyone can use it to improve their look. And you don’t need to go out and buy a new wardrobe,” said Jo Hayes, a fashion consultant and etiquette expert.

Plus, “it works for every body type, personal style and price point,” said Cynthia Kennedy, a personal stylist and image consultant.

Everyone should “start incorporating this rule into their style regime, stat,” Hayes said.

It’s called the rule of thirds, and it’s so impactful that it’s used in art, graphic design, architecture, photography, interior design, layouts and anywhere you want to “maximize the aesthetically pleasing factor,” Hayes said.

Once you start using the rule of thirds, you’ll instantly look more put-together and find that your outfits look more flattering, Kennedy said. “My clients swear by it and are always amazed at how simple yet effective it is,” she added.

The rule of thirds comes down to how you break up your outfit. It’s all about dividing your look into distinct visual sections to create a balanced outfit, according to Lauren Merle, designer for Oliver Logan.

Instead of dividing the body in half using a 1:1 ratio, outfits that utilize the rule of thirds divide the body into two sections: one that takes up one-third of the body and another that takes up two-thirds of the body, or a 1:2 ratio, Kennedy explained. It doesn’t matter whether the split is one-third from the top of your body or one-third from the bottom. Using the rule of thirds creates a more “visually balanced, flattering silhouette” every time, Kennedy said.

Wearing outfits that divide the body in half creates an even 50-50 split between your top and bottom. This results in a “boxy, stiff and unflattering break in your proportions,” Kennedy said. Using the rule of thirds works better because it creates a ”more dynamic ratio that naturally draws the eye up and down for a fluid, lengthening effect in a way that feels intentional,” she explained.

Although everyone’s proportions are different, as a general rule, “the top third line is just below the bottom of the rib cage, but definitely above the hip bone, and the bottom third is just above the knee,” Hayes said. When using the rule of thirds, you want your outfit to break at one of these points. For most people, the midpoint of their body falls at their hips. You want to avoid a break in your outfit at that point, Hayes said.

Moreover, breaks in your outfit can be created with either horizontal lines or vertical lines. For example, wearing a belt creates a horizontal line, while a long cardigan creates a vertical line.

Once you practice using the rule of thirds, you will start to use it intuitively, Kennedy said. Until then, she recommends using the grid feature on your smartphone’s camera to check your outfits’ proportions. Kennedy suggests using your phone’s gridlines to align breakpoints in your outfits. Where your cardigan ends or where your shirt falls over your bottoms should align with the grid to see if you are creating outfits that adhere to the rule of thirds. “It’s an easy way to train your eye,” she said.

We asked fashion experts and stylists to share the best and easiest ways to create outfits using the rule of thirds. Here’s what they told us.

While it’s tempting to throw on clothing and call it a day, pausing for a minute to see how your outfit is divided can make all the difference. “If you notice that your outfit cuts your body in half, creating a more flattering look using the rule of thirds can be as simple as changing the proportion of your outfit by tucking in your shirt or cuffing your pants,” Kennedy said.

“Tucking in your shirt creates a shorter top third,” Massi explained. Moreover, tucks can also create more interesting outfits. “A French tuck, where you only tuck in the front of your shirt, can help cover your bum without sacrificing your front-facing style, and a half tuck, where you have a button-up shirt and tuck the flat half in, is ultra-trendy,” explained Sahra Brandt, a celebrity stylist with Shop the City. Meanwhile, cuffing your pants can help shorten your bottoms to create a more balanced look if you are wearing a longer top.

Additionally, a skirt or dress that falls just above the knee will instantly create a look that aligns with the rule of thirds for most people, according to Hayes.

Cardigans, jackets and blazers can be used to create an outfit that uses the rule of thirds by making vertical breaks. A cropped jacket can shorten the upper third of your outfit while a long cardigan or jacket worn open can create a break two-thirds down your body, Kennedy explained.

Long coats and cardigans work especially well over fitted outfits, said celebrity stylist Amanda Massi. This technique “emphasizes the top two-thirds of your body and draws the eye upward,” she said.

Using the rule of thirds can be as easy as adding a belt. “Adding a belt at your natural waist or slightly lower helps create a new breakpoint that defines your shape while following the rule of thirds,” Kennedy said. This works especially well if you are wearing a long dress or oversized sweater.

If your clothing combination doesn’t strictly follow the rule of thirds, use shoes and accessories to “shift the visual proportions of your outfit,” Kennedy suggested. Heels or pointed-toe shoes can “subtly extend the lower two-thirds of your outfit, making you appear longer and keeping your look more balanced,” she said.

Long pendant necklaces or scarves can “guide the eye downward, reinforcing the rule thirds,” she added. Similarly, slinging your handbag over your shoulder, wearing it as a crossbody, or carrying it by a top handle can shift where the eye falls as well.

Wearing high-waisted pants, shorts or skirts automatically creates a 1:2 ratio for most people, Massi said. Paired with a with a crop top or tucked-in shirt, high-waisted bottoms will elongate your legs and create a longer bottom two-thirds while keeping the top third in the right proportion.

To maximize the rule of thirds’ impact, Merle suggests choosing “one part to pop and then keeping the other section more understated so your overall look remains cohesive with interesting and cool elements.” For example, if your top one-third is “full of bold prints,” you might opt for neutral or simpler bottoms on your lower two-thirds. Or, wear a loose top with a fitted bottom or a more fitted top with a wide-leg pant, suggests Lindsay Nicholas, president and fashion designer with Lindsay Nicholas New York.