The so-called rule of thirds is a styling idea in which you look at unequal proportions instead of two equal halves. If you wear a short top, choose a high waist; if you wear a long sweater, choose a slim bottom half. That way you can consciously play with where the horizontal lines of your outfit fall.
What is the rule of thirds?
The idea is borrowed from visual composition, but in clothing it is not a fixed law. In clothing it means that your body is divided into a short part and a long part, instead of two equal pieces. A higher or lower waist visibly changes the relationship between upper and lower body.
See it above all as a tool for experimenting with lengths. You do not need to measure; you look in the mirror and ask yourself where the horizontal lines of your outfit fall: at your waist, your hips and your knees.
The rule in practice
| Top half | Bottom half | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Short top or tucked-in blouse | High waist, long leg | One third on top, two thirds below |
| Long sweater or cardigan | Slim trousers | Two thirds on top, one third below |
| Hip-length jacket | Straight trousers | Clear waist and straight line |
| Oversized sweater | Knee-length skirt | Volume on top, slim below |
Example 1: short top half, high bottom half
Liorah is a cable-knit polo with gold-coloured buttons in navy, made of 80% viscose 20% polyamide. Tuck it into the waist of Florence, flared ankle-length trousers in white. The flared leg gives the trousers a clear line. The short part (one third) is then the polo, the long part (two thirds) the trousers.
Example 2: long top half, slim bottom half
Eleanor is a ribbed knitted cardigan in white, made of 79.9% viscose, 20.1% polyamide. Wear it open over a top, with Adelaide, high-waist contour-fit jeans in light blue, made of 70% cotton 17% viscose 11% polyester 2% elastane. The cardigan falls over the hips, so the top half is two thirds of the outfit and the slim jeans the remaining third. That creates a different proportion from a short top.
Example 3: three layers and the middle line
Add a third layer, such as Philippa, ultra high-waist pleated trousers in beige, made of 100% polyester. Wear a short top tucked in and a long jacket over it. The jacket determines the length of the upper part, the trousers give the long line. Leave the jacket open so that the waist stays visible.
Example 4: the skirt
The rule also works with a skirt. Wear a short top or a tucked-in blouse with a skirt that falls to the knee: the top is then the short third and the skirt the long two thirds. If you wear a long sweater, choose a shorter skirt or a skirt with more volume at the bottom. That way you can consciously change the proportion between top and bottom half.
How to test it at home
- Put on an outfit and look in the mirror from shoulder to foot.
- Look for the horizontal lines: the waist, the hem of your top or jacket and the hem of your trousers.
- If you want to experiment, change for example the top length or the waist height.
- Ask yourself where your eye goes. Above all, check whether you yourself like the proportions.
- Take a photo: in a photo you see the proportions more sharply than in the mirror.
One piece, three proportions
The rule is especially handy if you want to wear one piece in several ways. Take a blouse. Tucked into high trousers, you have the short top half. Loose over slim trousers, you have the long top half. Half tucked combines both. One blouse, three proportions, without buying anything new. That way you can create a lot of variation with a small wardrobe.
Shoes and height
Shoes reinforce the proportion. A shoe in a similar colour gives less contrast at the bottom. A contrasting shoe gives a clearer break of colour. If you want less contrast, choose a shoe in a similar shade. If you want an accent, choose a shoe with a striking colour and keep the rest calm.
Colour and proportion
You can also create unequal proportions with colour, but a fixed one-third split is not necessary. If you wear a cream top and dark trousers, the proportion is already clear. Add an accent, such as a scarf or bag, in a third colour. That way you can consciously steer the distribution of colour.
When you may ignore the rule
Rules are tools, not laws. A fully monochrome outfit in one colour from head to toe needs no division, because the line carries on. With a dress too, the cut determines the proportion. Use the rule as a starting point when an outfit does not feel right, not as a compulsion. Then trust your own eye.
Would you like to experiment with proportions? See our women's trousers and women's tops and read more about viscose, a fabric that can drape softly. For care and washing, see our washing instructions page. In the women's collections you will find more combinations.
Shop the look
Liorah: cable-knit polo, navy
Florence: flared ankle-length trousers, white
Eleanor: ribbed knitted cardigan, white
Adelaide: high-waist contour-fit jeans, light blue
Philippa: ultra high-waist pleated trousers, beige
Frequently asked questions
What is the rule of thirds in fashion?
It is a styling tool in which you experiment with unequal lengths, for example a shorter top half with a higher waist.
Do I need to measure for this?
No. Look in the mirror at where the horizontal lines fall and move a line if it sits exactly in the middle.
Does this also work for men?
Yes. For men too you can play with top length, jacket length and waist height.
Can I send clothing back if the proportion is not right?
Check the current return conditions on the returns page.
