The basic rule in length balancing, I always say, is to use the Golden Mean proportions: 5/8ths to 3/8ths, or roughly 60/40.
Knowing there is a way to slip an accent in there, but never knowing quite how to quantify it, it recently all came together for me when the Bargain Queen posted on putting separates together. She mentions a famous decorating rule for combining colors in pleasing proportions: 60/30/10.
What that means is easier than it sounds. When you put two pieces together, one should clearly occupy more of the visual space than the other, that’s the 60 (or 5/8ths of the space measured):
Looks that are half and half, perfectly evenly balanced, are boring. Technically, the actual Golden Mean proportion is about 0.61803. From Maths on the tube:
The Golden Ratio is a very special number, and has been known about since Greek times. Paintings with a height to width ratio of R have an especially aesthetically pleasing aspect. The Parthenon in Athens has the same ratio of lengths. The five-pointed stars on many flags of the world (for example, the European flag) are made by cutting the diagonals of a pentagon according to the Golden Ratio. The Ratio is sometimes called the “divine proportion”, which is particularly apt as many religious paintings use it.
To adapt a more complex look, take the small half of your outfit and break it up or add to it, making it one quarter accent:
Better?
Gosh, I love it! I had never heard that rule of thumb before, and I totally understand why it works. That outfit in the first picture looks totally casual, like you are just hanging out at home or something. Add that pink shirt to it, and you could totally go somewhere looking chic, stylish, and looking like you are really making an effort to look cute. And all you did was add a small splash of color! I love it! See, this is why I love your blog; the other fashion advice I’ve read makes me feel like I need an entirely new wardrobe. You, on the other hand, teach me how to work with what I’ve got. I just love it!
“See, this is why I love your blog; the other fashion advice I’ve read makes me feel like I need an entirely new wardrobe. You, on the other hand, teach me how to work with what I’ve got.”
That’s such an awesome compliment! I had to read it to my husband, who then declared me the Larry Burkett of fashion. LOL
That is so incredible how it totally changed he outfit by adding that bit of pink! I love it! Where do the shoes fall in the percentage?
And what if you were wearing a knee-length skirt (or shorts for that matter)? I’m trying to think of how to adapt this to what I would actually wear, because if I wore the adorable outfit that you have on, I would die of heat stroke.
This reminds me of the decorating rule of thumb, to group things in odd numbers. Even numbers or 50/50 colors give you no “focal point.” Great example and photos!
Wow, dressing is like an exact science. I love it when these nebulous things can be boiled down to math.
Your new layout is awesome, by the way!
Jenna – the shoes can be added to whatever piece they match. In this case they are brown with pink accent, so they go with the shirt, but because they are not high contrast to the pants it’s not that big a deal. I will post a skirt and top combo later today (Lord willing). 🙂
Jennifer – thanks for stating that rule. I was just thinking about it in connection with my summer accent. I will often wear dark brown sandals, belt, and another accent at the neckline; then, with my sunglasses that kind of makes 4, doesn’t it? I guess in that case I could lose the belt, add a bracelet, or take off my shoes … oh wait, my watch is dark brown. I may be taking this too far.
SRR – I love the math too. But it is possible to try to be too precise. Thanks for the compliment on the layout. I am really happy with the colors and the layout, but I’m still working out the details (like the pictures).
You’re right about the possibility of being too precise–having that formula gets us halfway there, but following rigid rules would make fashion dull. Fashion is sort of like figure skating, for lack of a better analogy at the moment. There are the technical things that one has to nail to get things looking right, then there’s the artistic/creative flairs that make or break an outfit (or at least distinguishes one individual from another).
Yes. It reminds me of the saying “you have to know what the rules are to break them”. The more we understand how it works, the more creative we can be.
You are excellent at that!
That’s brilliant!! You can really see the difference.
I’ve always worn at least 2 colours that contrasted (unless it’s red + green = too christmas-y), and one that is a neutral (and I consider blue jeans to be a neutral).
But sometimes I go out on a limb and do 4 different colours that go together, but I’ve always steered away from the matchy-matchyness like blue earrings with blue necklaces, blue jeans, blue shirt.. etc. Or sometimes I’d think of colours that don’t normally go together, and try it just because I think it may look good (like dark magenta with a pale but intense blue-green). Or really bright shoes/accessories with an otherwise plain outfit.
Which makes me totally curious what you look like, FB! I normally wear two neutrals and a color (like in this picture), but then my coloring is pretty soft.
Welcome to the blog!
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