Would you do maths to get dressed? The 7-point fashion rule says you should

The method is said to ensure your outfit is balanced in terms of being stylish, without looking too busy. Photo: Urban Revivo

There is a new trend born out of the many videos on TikTok: the “seven-point rule”, a fashion formula that apparently helps users craft perfectly balanced outfits by assigning a point value to what they are wearing.

So, how exactly does it work? Each clothing item or accessory – from statement earrings to bold shoes or a graphic tee – is assigned a point (or points), and the goal is to build an outfit that totals between seven and eight points.

This ideal sum is said to strike the perfect balance between minimalism and maximalism.

For example, you pick a basic white blouse, plus a pair of jeans, sneakers and sunglasses – that’s one point each. A gold watch will be worth two points, as will a brightly patterned scarf.

Wear them all together and you arrive at eight points, which is still in the ideal range.

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Are you okay with doing calculations before getting dressed? Photo: Guess

If your total points is below six, you’ll know that your outfit is absolutely boring. Exceeding 10 points will indicate that you’re going to look like a hot mess.

Does it make planning your outfits easier or more complicated? It depends on which side of the fence you sit on.

Proponents of this method say that it makes dressing up less subjective and more intentional, offering a structured way to elevate personal style without second-guessing every choice.

Detractors, however, say the method overcomplicates matters and turns a creative process into a numbers game that risks stifling spontaneity.

There are also different quantifications, depending on who’s counting.

Some users assign more points to standout accessories or layered pieces, while others tweak the system based on personal style, occasion or even mood.

Others aim to achieve just eight points (dubbed the “eight-point rule”) – nothing less, nothing more.

This trend is perhaps just a modern twist on fashion advice that has always been heeded.

Most experienced stylists will tell you to take a step back and remove one item to pare down your look.

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Cristobal Balenciaga once said that “elegance is elimination”, referring to how a fashion house must find its voice by stripping away everything that doesn’t align with its vision.

His words, however, can still be applied to personal styling: knowing what to leave out is just as important as knowing what to include.

When it comes to the complexity of calculating outfit points based on a rigid formula, another quote comes to mind.

As Alexander McQueen put it: “Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment.”