If you've followed the boutique a while, you've heard me talk about the "Rule of Thirds." Hopefully today in this blog post I can explain it to everyone who needs to understand better what this means.

First off, it's not really fair it's called a Rule. We've talked about fashion rules and boundaries and this isn't really in that category. It's neither a rule or a boundary that you either break or you follow. It's really a principle in design that can be applied to many things, especially in styling and in fashion.

If you've ever taken a photography or an art class, you will learn what the Rule of Thirds and how appyllng it will allow you to achieve better, more eye appealing art. The same principle is used in interior design and several other creative jobs...like clothing and clothing style.

In short, it is taking a subject or composition and breaking it into 1/3 parts. Then finishing out the composition in either those 1/3 parts, or 1/3 - 2/3 parts. The Rule encouragers one to break subjects into thirds instead of halves.

Here's a quick photography example of the store using the Rule. 

Example #1 Rule of Thirds

Here are all the outfits side by side and broken up so you can visually see the difference adding different items to break out the Thirds makes the outfit more balanced and appealing visually.

Example #2 Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds Example #3

So in Example #2, I know what you're thinking. I have been doing this a long time and I have heard or read all the things from ladies..."You can do that with your shirt because you're young." "You can wear that because you're skinny. I am not skinny." "You can wear that because you don't have a pooch." So here's how I respond to all of that... it does not matter what size you are, if you have on well fitting clothes for your body shape and style them appropriately, you can put any outfit in balance with the Rule of Thirds. I have seen the above outfit on ladies of all sizes and it works, period.

In case you don't believe me, I put on this traditional jeans and top to prove a point. This outfit below is how I see most women dress 95% of the time. Maybe not in 100 degree heat like we're experiencing right now, but most of the time.

Women, all over the country are wearing a great pair of jeans and even prettier top but they're wearing it untucked and/or oversized. Women tell me it's because they're covering their mom pooch, or pasta belly or whatever you call that area that we women all despise.

I'm here to tell you that is not doing you any favors. When you wear outfits styled like the above, you are adding 10-20 pounds visually in just fabric. Covering up your figure is not the answer. The answer is finding clothes that fit properly and then styling them to your body shape and within balance.

All I did was tie this shirt in the back and tuck to expose my waistline. I still have some extra fabric to cover up any imperfection in the my tummy region, BUT allowing my jeans to be the 2/3 of this outfit and the top to be the 1/3 of this outfit puts it all in balance and just makes me look better visually. The first image literally cuts me in half. The Rule of Thirds means you don't want to cut anything in halves, only thirds.

 In these 3 examples I have shown you different ways to apply the Rule of Thirds. It is not difficult once you can get the hang of it! I challenge you to stop and think about your outfit in the mirror before you leave your house tomorrow. Really break your body into 1/3s and make sure it's within the Rule. If it is not and you need help, reach out. We're always here to help all the Sweetlifers with style.