How To Build A Flattering Look: The Rule of Thirds
Who doesn’t want to look good in an outfit?! So, you choose the pieces from your closet, carefully considering how they complement one another and how they will support the overall look you’re going for. You get dressed, take a look in the mirror but something just looks off. Your outfit doesn’t pack the punch you had visualized. It looks kind of frumpy, expected and perhaps even boring. Why? The issue is more likely than not, a matter of proportion. Proportion is the framework we use to build an outfit and the relative proportion of the combined elements of your outfit can make or break your look.
The solution? Just tweak your outfit using the concept of the Golden Ratio – the formula behind the most flattering way to style an outfit. This can make all the difference and take your outfit from frumpy to fabulous no matter your shape or size!
Sometimes referred to as The Golden Mean, The Divine Proportion or the Fibonacci Sequence, The Golden Ratio is a pattern that appears to be one of nature’s most popular blueprints and it can be found everywhere – from the curl of a chameleon’s tail, to the spiral of the galaxy to the pattern of a snowflake! Despite its many different names it is the same principle of harmony, beauty and proportion which has been around since the beginning of time. It is generally accepted that the 1/3 to 2/3 ratio is the most aesthetically pleasing division of spaces. When used in design, it fosters organic and natural-looking compositions that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Since it was first discovered, it has been used to create some of the world’s most iconic manmade masterpieces such as the Pyramids of Egypt, Mona Lisa and Eiffel Tower! You can even spot the Fibonacci Sequence in the Birkin Bag!
In the world of styling it is referred to as the Rule of Thirds and it comes into play when combining individual elements of an outfit in the most flattering way.
Simply put, the most visually appealing look will require breaking the elements of your outfit up unevenly, to create or maintain a pleasing vertical ratio between your upper and lower body. The aim is to create an unbalanced ratio of 1/3 to 2/3 – dividing the figure into 2 unequal proportions – as opposed to perfect halves. A completely balanced 1:1 ratio can give a frumpy appearance and look off. Unbalanced proportions on the other hand, offer a vast improvement to any outfit, making it look sleeker, more cohesive and much more interesting to look at. When the Rule of Thirds is applied, it ensures that the overall look of an outfit is proportionally pleasing to the eye. Its power to transform an outfit from good to great is truly amazing.
How To Achieve the Perfectly Proportioned Look
As you combine items of clothing together to make an outfit, consider the whole body from head to toe. Your aim is to divide your overall frame into thirds, and not halves. Simply put, this involves combining pieces of different proportions together – or styling in such a way that achieves the same outcome.
- Tuck Your Top In!
The image on the left, with the turtle-neck pulled down, cuts the body in half creating a boxy and boring look. It gives the upper torso a longer appearance and makes the legs look shorter. Once the top is tucked-in, the outfit is more interesting and pleasing to look at and definitely more flattering to the body. Adding a knee-high boot creates yet another dimension to the overall look, still keeping the Rule of Thirds in effect.
2. Do a French Tuck
The image on the left cuts the body in half, once again not the most flattering look. Doing a simple French Tuck emphasizes the waist and gives the illusion of more leg. It is the best way to add a little dishevelled edge to an outfit and flatter the figure. If you are not comfortable tucking at the front, do it from one side. The slight billowing of the tucked side can hide a less-than-flat tummy and the side that hangs loose creates balance in contrast to the tucked-in side, which draws the eye downwards elongating the entire frame. Once you add an outer-layer, the innermost layer will ensure that the Rule of Thirds is still kept intact, as this layer is what usually draws the eye. So don’t worry too much about the fact that the jacket is slightly longer than the t-shirt layer.
3. Add A Belt
Use a belt to create a 1/3 to 2/3 ratio instead of having a balanced ratio or even one long column. While there is nothing terribly wrong with the image on the left, adding a belt to the dress instantly divides the look into 1/3s and creates a great focal point at waist level. If adding a jacket, either choose a cropped version that will hit at the waist, or consider adding a belt to a longer jacket to achieve the best ratio. Once again, wearing knee-high boots keeps the Rule of Thirds in effect too.
4. Pair A Long Garment With A Short Garment
When pairing your pants with a top, always consider the length of the top. The pants should make up 2/3 of the overall look and the top should make of 1/3 of the look. If your top does go beyond hip level, it creates a 1/2 : 1/2 look which is unflattering. If you are wearing high-waisted pants, choose a top that hits at the waist – or tuck your top in to achieve this. You instantly add more leg real estate to your look and highlight your waist for a perfectly proportioned look.
5. Use Layers To Create Unbalanced Proportions
Use coats and long cardigans to help divide your frame into the 1/3 : 2/3 ratio. There are several factors to consider when layering. Colour and level of contrast between the items in the outfit will effect how the eye reads the proportions. As noted before, the eye will most naturally read the under-layer first (the camisole is 1/3 and the legging is 2/3). The coatigan frames the outfit. When looking at the outfit from another angle, the coatigan is 2/3 and the exposed legging becomes 1/3. There are two Rules of Thirds in effect here, which is interesting! Alternatively you could choose to add a belt to the outer layer, creating yet another dimension to the outfit, yet still applying the Rule of Thirds.
It doesn’t have to be exact. Remember it’s not a science, it doesn’t have to measure out perfectly. It is simply a guideline.
It’s always a good idea to check your image in a full-length mirror to ensure that the proportions of your outfit are flattering to your figure. If you like the outfit but something just doesn’t feel quite right, it may just need a little tweak. So play around with it and use the tips provided above to make easy adjustments that could make all the difference! Finally, remember that like all other guidelines for dressing your unique body shape, this is a tool and not an absolute rule. However, once you know about the Rule of Thirds, you just can’t help yourself from never using it again!