What is the 1/3 ‘Comfort Rule’ and can it elevate your style?

We all got comfortable in our fashion during the pandemic. Did our style suffer or manifest into new realms of comfy chic? In many cases, the former and the latter were equally true.

Now we’re back and ready to be bold again. For some of us, that means dashing silhouttes, new ‘core’ fashion basics (like cottagecore or regancycore essentials). For others, it means being fearlessly intrepid with colour, or the lack therof.

Still, completely leaving our comfort eras behind is no easy breakup.

So, how can we marry the best of both worlds while still looking put together?

This was a question my wardrobe and I couldn’t agree on. With sustainability at the forefront of my fashion choices for the last few years, shopping minimally and with investment pieces in mind left me with a divide between comfort staples and standout showstoppers.

On an investigation to figure out how to make the two contrasting ideas work in one ‘fit, I came across a video that’s changed the game for me.

It’s called the 1/3 Ugly Rule (read, comfort) shared by fashion influencer Zeopatra.

@officialzeopatra How to not feel ugly and still be kinda practical #personalstyle #outfitideas #outfitcheck #outfitformula ♬ original sound – zeopatra

Playing on the rule of thirds, here’s how it works:

“Most outfits can be divided into three: top, bottom and shoes,” says Zeopatra, before adding that she allows herself to be comfortable in 1/3 of the outfit.

Essentially, your outfit will be made up of a functional piece (the comfort piece) and then the stylish pieces in a happy combination.

1 comfort piece, 2 structured pieces.

So, if you’re wearing a comfortable jersey, your pants and shoes would be less comfortable, stylish/structured pieces. If you work a comfortable one-piece, your shoes and a structured bag would make up the look.

If you wore a tracksuit, you’d wear a coat or sneakers that may be slightly less comfortable than your regular worn pair, with an edgier aesthetic. This doesn’t need to become your daily bread and butter, but can be kept in your back pocket as the ratio for looking effortlessly stylish.

Two pieces technically count as one, while if you layer a look you’d typically layer with structured pieces.

The ratio rule in action

Emily Ratajkowski rocks a structured top and skirts, followed by comfort sneakers

Zoë Kravitz in a comfortable two-piece, met with a structured coat and stylish stilettos. 

Kylie Jenner’s structured blouse and boots look, with comfy jeans and a structured jacket appeal.

Naomi Campbell adorning a structured top/comfort bottom ratio with heels (elevated structure).

ALSO SEE: 

Dip into sustainable fashion with these easy eco resolutions

Feature Image: @zeopatra/Instagram