Contrary to the term, being effortlessly well-dressed requires some effort. But it’s never been easier with a pair of viral interior design-inspired “hacks.”
You may have encountered the Sandwich Method and/or 60-30-10 theory via TikTok – don’t let the medium discourage you, because these balancing principles are rooted in legitimacy. And might take your ‘fits to the next level.
The Sandwich Method was coined by Lydia Tomlinson back in 2022 (though the concept has been circulating in design communities under alternate descriptors for decades now). Tomlinson suggests building an outfit with a contrasting item between two matching/complementary articles of clothing. Just like a sandwich.
The most straightforward guideline is to match the colour of your shirt and shoes, which are broken up by your pants. You can also work with matching textures or patterns to form your “bread,” so long as you maintain the juxtaposing “filling.” Don’t be afraid to use accessories or outerwear to sandwich a plain base, either.
Pedro Pascal achieves this in the image above, even with an outer layer: matching the colour and texture of his bread (brown leather jacket and shoes), whilst keeping his filling minimalistic (beige straight-legged trousers and fitted t-shirt). The contrast effectively highlights the balance of his ensemble.
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Jeremy Allen White also demonstrates the Sandwich Method through a pared-down street style: opting for part of his bread to be his accessories (neutral taupe cap; complementary white undershirt and Nikes). His filling (faded blue t-shirt and light relaxed jeans) is sandwiched by matching details.
The 60-30-10 theory is another key principle that’ll help you maintain style equilibrium. Less concerned with the placement of colours in an outfit, it recommends that 60% of an outfit’s real estate should be one colour or a larger piece, 30% a secondary colour, and 10% should be reserved for an accent to bring it all together.
Interior designers generally follow this rule to decide what colours a room should be painted (60%), how to furnish it (30%), and what final touches to add (10%). The sartorial equivalent, however, obviously trades paint samples, furniture, and décor, with jackets, trousers, and belts/jewellery.
Rising star Damson Idris of F1 fame recently showcased the 60-30-10 approach for an elevated occasion, dressed head to toe in Prada. The laid-back tan jacket and pants make up 60%, countered by the white tank top monogrammed with the recognisable triangle logo, which accounts for 30%.
The black leather shoes cap it off as the ideal 10% – practically blending into the carpet to once again prove those final touches don’t always have to be over the top or in your face. They just need to “pop.”
Similarly, Paul Mescal crafted the perfect 60-30-10 look during a public appearance by utilising oversized outerwear. His subtly patterned grey coat contributed to the 60%, draping over the outfit’s 30% of straight-legged blue jeans, and 10% of a white graphic tee. The black leather accessories even tied into the coat’s initial salience due to a matching hue.
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Coleman Domingo, who can always be relied on for a daring serve, is still dressed within the 60-30-10 template below. And his red carpet look wonderfully illustrates that the 10% doesn’t always have to be at the bottom of the outfit. Here, his open blue shirt fulfils that ratio, while the textured gold Valentino coat notches the 30%, and the mustard suit through to the boots rounds it out as the dominant 60%.
Granted, the Sandwich Method and 60-30-10 theory aren’t completely flawless. Nor should they be adopted too rigidly. But if you start with a deliberate focus on layering colours, and then eventually begin experimenting with textures and fabrics, you too may soon be composing ‘fits like a professional stylist-assisted A-lister.
