The 7-Point Rule Takes The Guesswork Out Of Choosing Your Outfit

Thank you, TikTok, for introducing us to yet another trend that's designed to make getting ready easier. Yes, there's a little math involved, but nothing beyond basic addition. The outcome of this simple process is to take the guesswork out of choosing your outfit, make your wardrobe of old clothes feel brand new (times are tough, people — time to cinch the proverbial belt!), and create an outfit that's balanced, and has a little something-something to it thanks to simple statement-making accessories. What is this miracle method? It's called the seven-point rule.

So, how does it work exactly? First, you assign one or two points to your articles of clothing. And when you add up the numbers of the whole outfit, you want the total to fall between seven and 10 points. If it does, that means your outfit is balanced. If it's too low, it means the ensemble is a bit blah and needs something more, and if it's higher than 10, it might be a bit busy and at least one element should be toned down. 

Sound familiar? You might remember TikTok's viral eight-point system from a few years ago, which followed a similar idea, but aimed for six to eight points, rather than seven to 10, as with this updated version. The seven-point system feels more in-line with the maximalist trend moving to the forefront, as the outdated quiet-luxury trend takes a backseat in 2025.

The 7-point rule is a brilliant way to take the guesswork out of choosing your outfit. But where to begin? We suggest grabbing some basics out of the closet, starting with top and bottoms, be they pants, jeans, or a skirt. Do the math: Is the top basic? Then it gets one point. Is it noteworthy with a bold color or print, or is it a blouse with interesting detailing on it? Then it gets two. 

Do the same for the bottoms. If they are basic, then they get one point. But if they have a cut, color, or pattern that's unusual, give them two points. If you're adding another layer on top, evaluate if it's a one or two. At this point, you might have between three and six points. Depending on the number, then you finish rounding out the look with accessories to get the total between seven and 10 points.

Let's use British Vogue editor-at-large and fashion maven Sarah Harris as an example. In this selfie posted to her Instagram, she's wearing a plain top and trousers, so one point each. Then we have the beautiful camel sweater wrapped around her shoulders and a jacket, which get one point each. The Longchamp bag is pretty bold, so we'd give that two. The total is now six, which means she needs at least one more point to make the outfit work. And then we spot the extra point, hidden beneath the layers in the form of a chain-link Tiffany & Co. necklace. That brings the total to seven points. And even if the shoes are a one or a two, they'll still be in balance and below 10 points. And there you have it: a simple bit of math to do before heading out the door to make sure you're looking on point — or seven-point, that is.