If you feel like your outfits never look chic or pulled together, there’s probably an easy answer. It has nothing to do with how expensive or modern your clothes are. Instead, it’s about wearing the correct number of pieces so you don’t look undone or overdone!

Today, I will show you a foolproof way to make every outfit you wear look polished and pulled together + give you a free PDF printable of the rule to download and keep in your closet.

We will use a little-known styling hack called the “8-Point Outfit Rule.” In this post, I’ll explain the 8-point rule and provide lots of example outfits so you can see how it’s done.

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What is the 8-Point Outfit Rule?

The "8 Point Outfit Rule" isn't a widely recognized or standardized fashion rule, but it is a concept that some people use to help put together cohesive and stylish outfits.

Download the 8-POINT OUTFIT RULE FREE PDF Printable!

The idea is to wear an outfit that comprises eight distinct elements or points of interest, which can help create a balanced and visually exciting look. Here’s a general guide on how to do it:

Main Clothing Items (1-2 points): This includes your primary pieces of clothing, such as a top, pants, or skirt. Depending on how intricate or statement-making these items are, they could count as one point each. However, if it’s a Patterned Garment, this counts as two points.
Dresses : (2 points): Because this item is both the top and bottom, it’s 2 points.
Layering Pieces (1): This could be a jacket, cardigan, vest, or any other item that adds an additional layer to your outfit.
Shoes (1 point): Your choice of footwear. Make sure it complements the rest of your outfit.
Accessories (1-3 points): This includes jewelry, belts, hats, scarves, or any other accessory. Depending on how many accessories you choose to wear and how noticeable they are, they could count as one or more points.
Handbag or Clutch (1 point): Choose a bag that complements your outfit and adds to the overall look.
Makeup and Hairstyle (1-2 points): Your makeup and hairstyle can also contribute to the overall points of your outfit. A bold lip or an intricate hairstyle can serve as a point of interest.
Nails (0-1 point): If you have a unique nail polish color or design, this could also add a point to your outfit.
Glasses or Sunglasses (0-1 point): If you wear glasses or add sunglasses to your outfit, they can also count as a point.
Outerwear (2 points): A coat, such as a raincoat, winter coat, or faux fur jacket, will add two points to your outfit items.

The key to the 8-Point Outfit Rule is to balance statement pieces with more understated items to create a harmonious look. You don’t want every item to be a statement piece, as this can be overwhelming. Instead, aim for a mix of bold and subtle items, and pay attention to how your outfit's colors, patterns, and textures work together. Get the 8-Point Outfit Rule Free PDF Printable.

Here’s me in different outfits as examples so you can see how this system works.

The first outfit, above, it pretty plain: jeans, tee, earrings, glasses, and sandals adds up to just five points. So in this case, I’m considered underdressed. Let’s look at the next photo to get this look to eight points.

I’ve changed to a slightly dressier top and added a belt, bracelets, and handbag to my outfit. Now I’m at eight points and it’s a much more pulled together and complete look.

In this outfit, I’m slightly overdressed because the jean jacket and printed sweater are both two points. My outfit totals nine points. Perhaps switching to a solid sweater over my shoulders might take it down a notch.

This outfit hits just right! Even though my dress and handbag are worth two points each, I’ve balanced the look by not overdoing it on the rest of my accessories.

You can even try this 8-point rule with your workout wear! I love wearing printed leggings but the key is to keep everything else coordinating and simple.

With this ferry outfit, I’m slightly overdressed again. Lots of accessories, printed pants, and layers made the outfit total nine points. I could skip the white tank or remove the sunglasses to get it to be eight points or less.

Here’s my final outfit, and it comes in perfectly at eight points. Even though I’m wearing a printed skort, I’ve coordinated everything to create a cohesive outfit that isn’t overdone.

Which outfit above was your favorite? Are you going to try the 8-point rule? Let me know in the comments below!