The Rule of Three; One Blazer, Three Ways
The Ultimate Rule When Deciding to Buy an Item
Ok, gang! You all know I’m a little obsessed with taking what comes instinctively to some and creating rules, tips and tricks, so the rest of us can navigate the world of style and fashion with confidence. I’ve talked before about the rule of THREE when deciding whether to purchase a piece of clothing on Instagram, but never here.
If you don’t follow me on Instagram, please do - I share many how-to videos on that platform, daily outfit inspo, recipes, and overall real-life stuff. And I’d love to hang out with you over there…
Anywhoo, buckle up, because the rule of three is so simple it’s almost embarrassing…
The Rule of THREE
When deciding whether or not to buy an item:
Think of three outfits you could create with this item
Think of three places or events you could wear this item to.
It’s that kind of straightforward advice that is mind-blowing. Super practical, not fancy or complicated, and really, really helps with mindful shopping. BTW, mindful shopping is the complete opposite of and, therefore, the cure for impulse shopping.
Take the Rule of Three and Put it into Practice
I took the rule of three and took it for a road test at my local Evereve store. There was a great, rust colored, transitional blazer that was calling my name. I was able to list all of the reasons the blazer was so great…
Lightweight, stretch fabric (perfect for those that run hot or live in more temperate climates)
Longer length (aka, modern silhouette)
Machine wash
Great price ($158)
But, and this is a big but, how would I actually wear it? Because having an item, even one with a great resume like this, does no good if it just hangs in the closet. It’s got to be worn to have value.
So, I took the blazer around the store with the purpose of making an outfit with it. When you’re shopping, don’t be shy about trying on items to make it a complete outfit. It does not mean you need to buy it all. What it does do is give you a visual of how the piece can work. Maybe you have something similar at home and now know it will work with that too. It’s a great litmus test and a way to try before you buy!
Good News!
The good news is that I easily found three ways to wear this one blazer - and will likely find many more once it comes home and gets integrated with pieces I already own.
Here are the outfits I came up with.
The First Outfit
The first outfit is totally in my comfort zone - with a cami and jeans. The blazer acts at the third piece, making the rather basic outfit way more interesting. One styling note: I took the wrap element from the sandals and used it over the jeans to give the shape of the jeans some extra appeal. That might not be for everyone, but I thought it looked pretty darn cool.
The Second Outfit
With the second outfit, I used the blazer to make me feel more comfortable. I loved the con dress. And the strategic ruching did help camouflage my self conscious parts. However, I, personally, still felt exposed just wearing the dress. The blazer was my answer! The colors played nicely together and topping the dress with a piece that felt like me, helped the outfit come together.
The Third Outfit
And with the third outfit, I popped the blazer over a sleeveless jumpsuit. A great trick for cold offices, cooler evenings, and also as a way to Fall-ify your summer pieces. I’d also wear this into the winter by swapping out the clogs for boots and even putting a turtleneck under the jumpsuit along with the blazer.
