The Fashion Rule Book: Sandwich Dressing

But fear not – if you so wish, don’t think you can’t wear more than two colours at once. Different shades, prints and textures are fine if you’ve got the confidence to make it work, although ‘sandwiching’ is a more failsafe approach. Following it will also give you the confidence to try colours you don’t typically go for, because when your top and shoes match, everything instantly feels more intentional.

Think about those women whose style is consistently polished and chances are, they regularly adopt the 'sandwich' rule. LouLou De Saison’s Chloe Harrouche is a perfect example: while her style is predominantly black and white, alternating between the two colours ensures her outfits are anything but boring. Look at Hannah Strafford-Taylor for further inspiration – brown can be a tricky shade to style, but by 'sandwiching' it, she makes it more palatable. Bonus points, too, for mixing textures (like leather and knitwear), to give the look some edge. 

Finally, sticking to a neutral ‘filling’ (i.e. the 'sandwiched' colour in between) is the easiest way to make sure you look pulled together. This includes black, white, grey or even denim or leather for more texture – essentially anything that ‘goes with everything’ will mean your colour choice looks grown up, as opposed to wacky. If you are feeling more daring, however, opting for shades in the same colour family – for example pairing khaki with a similarly earthy tone or fuchsia with a paler pink – will allow you to take on brighter shades, but in a stylish way. 

So, the next time you’re in a rush and stuck for outfit ideas, let the 'sandwich' rule help. Matching outfits get a bad rap, but it’s the quickest way to nail a chic look in a hurry.