In 2026 so many of the fashion rules we followed as children and young women no longer apply. You can wear white jeans and pants year-round (although I still generally reserve mine for the warmer months) and the “proper length” for pants and skirts is completely fluid – you do you! Truly, the fashion police have been dismissed and no one (in the know) will scold you for “breaking” any of the fashion rules of yore. But there is indeed one fashion rule that my mother taught me (over and over and over) that I still abide by quite strictly. I suggest you do, too.
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Truth be told, it’s not a style rule at all. But the one fashion rule you still need to follow will help you to build a wardrobe free of regrets, one that works for you rather than frustrates you. And if you keep this one fashion rule you’ll enjoy your wardrobe so much more.
The 3x3x3 Rule
Not to be confused with the viral 3x3x3 packing concept I explored in my recent YouTube video, this 3x3x3 rule is one that will guard your closet from mishaps. The rule? 3x3x3 = Never allow anything into your closet unless it works in three different outfits, for three different occasions and with three pairs of shoes in your closet.
3x3x3 =
- 3 outfits
- 3 occasions
- 3 pairs of shoes you own
Today I’m sharing a beautiful textured tweed lady jacket that happens to be 40% off, which is a good bit less than I paid for it. But before you snap it up, make sure you could create at least 3 outfits with it, wear it for three different types of occasions and pair it with three pairs of shoes already in your wardrobe.
Truly, when I abide by this one fashion rule I make fewer regrettable purchases. Turns out, my mother is right! But not only do I avoid regrets; I also enjoy the purchases I do make and feel better about the investments. And that rule doesn’t just apply to investment pieces like this jacket, but I use it for pants, jeans and tops, too. Dresses are a little different since they are a one-and-done. But I do indeed try to make sure I have at least a couple of shoe options with those and that I can wear them to more than one place or event.
Working the 3x3x3 Rule with My Textured Tweed Lady Jacket
So can I wear this textured tweed lady jacket in three outfits, for three different occasions and with three pairs of shoes? When the jacket arrived I headed straight to my closet to do the math. The lady jacket, which runs true to size for a modern, boxy, cropped fit, features beautiful shades of blue and a striking red thread that runs through it. First I wore it over a navy V-neck t-shirt with a pair of full length white jeans. I completed the look with strappy cognac sandals for a look I would definitely wear to church.
Next I created an outfit with the lady jacket that I would wear to a women’s event. I’ll be the emcee at a Christian women’s speaker series this summer, and this combination would work nicely there. Also I’m speaking at a Christian business women’s luncheon in April, and since I’ll be talking about spring outfit formulas, this outfit would work nicely.
The cropped length jeans in this dark wash will be perfectly suitable for either event, since other women will be dressed similarly or even more casually. But I could certainly swap in a pair of navy pants here, too.
This time I pulled out the red thread that runs through the jacket by wearing it over a red cashmere t-shirt.
And I’ve completed the simple but feminine outfit with slingback pumps in cognac. So that’s a second pair of shoes that I can easily wear with my jacket, too.
Those first two outfits I created with my lady jacket are almost interchangeable as far as tone and level of formality. But of course the pieces I used to construct the two looks are quite different. (I actually created yet a different outfit with a combination of a few of those elements here.) Still, I thought it would be challenging and fun to lower the level of formality a bit with a third outfit.
So here I took a cue from the model at the retailer website and wore a solid white crewneck tee under the jacket.
Then I kept the look elevated but decidedly more casual by wearing medium wash full length wide leg jeans and platform metallic sneakers.
This is an outfit I would gladly wear to lunch with friends followed by an afternoon of shopping. The purpose of being able to name three different places or occasions for which you can wear a piece is not to frustrate. You don’t have to be able to wear the item to very different and distinct occasions. You just need to know that you could wear it for three types of things that you actually do in your real life.
I’ll admit, when I first got this beautiful jacket I was a little stumped by it. Mesmerized, smitten. But also stumped. Could I actually keep this “rule” with this elevated jacket? But I did the work in my closet before I allowed it to take up residence there. And now I can be confident that this smart jacket will serve me well.
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So what do you think about this one fashion rule that I think you should still follow? Obviously this is sort of tongue in cheek. No one is obliged to follow this dictate, and I undoubtedly break it here and there myself. But I do think it would save us all a lot of frustration if we’d keep the 3x3x3 rule in mind as we make purchases and bring things into our closets. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And let me know if you have other but similar rules that help you navigate your style and your wardrobe. Thanks so much for dropping in! Oh, and if you enjoyed this post, you might also want to check out this one in which I detailed the keys to styling the trending lady jacket.
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Blessed for My Day
Has anyone encouraged your recently? Isn’t that just the sweetest gift? When someone takes the time to notice your struggle and puts together words to propel your forward, that is just such a kind and impactful gift. Maybe this is a good day to give someone else the gift of encouragement. Think of the impact you could have on their life. In fact, you may never know just how much your encouraging words do for someone.
Let’s look for opportunities throughout our day to speak encouraging words to others. Whether we know them well or don’t even know their name, we can give them a gentle push in the right direction. And if you wonder just how to encourage another person, remember that the best policy is always to help them “remain true to the Lord.”
The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. ~ Acts 11:22-24
Hi Kay! Love this J.Crew jacket and I can see the quality is there!! You mentioned it was “true to size”, does that mean you are wearing the 10? I usually waver between a 10 and 12 for jackets like this. The reviews mentioned it ran “big”. I love it with the white jeans the best! Thanks for your continued great posts and videos!
Yes, I’m wearing a 10. It is roomy, but I think that’s essential for being able to wear different things underneath. And it’s supposed to be a boxy fit, not close to the body. So I honestly think it runs true to size. I pretty much a solid 10 at J.Crew.
For me, I find this rule the most helpful for my less frequently worn pieces of clothing. Most of my clothes work very hard in my wardrobe and I can mix and match nearly everything seamlessly. But for items which I don’t often wear, like blazers, I make sure that they can go with a number of different outfits before I allow them to take up residence in my closet. 🙂 LOVE your BFMD. I try to encourage others daily and am so thankful for those who reach out to encourage me.
I love this one rule. Makes sense and I hope to be better at following it.
Thank you.
Loved your devotional…. as always!
But 2 questions about that last outfit…… I have so much trouble finding decent fitting jeans for my pear body — but I do keep trying! Some said in reviews that these Anessa Wide legs run large…. do you find that to be true? In NYDJ I wear a 12…. and thus far the NYDJ have proven to fit me the best, but I would like to find some nicer high-end jeans.
My second question is about the J.Crew lady jacket…. I love that one on you and love the versatility of the many ways that I could imagine it fitting into my wardrobe. But some reviewers referred to it as running large also. I have rather long arms, small shoulders…. but then again that booty…. it make me have to have width if I’m going to button a jacket. Albeit, this one seems to fit closer to the waist area. But I do like to be able to button a jacket…. I don’t want it so tight that I can’t. Thus I’m debating if I should order a size 12. Could you tell me the sizes you are modeling in the jeans and the jacket? Thanks so much!
I think it’s a good rule. I can create several outfits with most of my jackets. I’ve bought jackets in the past that were hard to coordinate except with black. I try to stay away from those. Love the message about encouragement. Your YouTube video about packing was very informative. It’s one to refer to. I have a short trip in May. I don’t need that much but I will try to incorporate your packing tips. I tend to overpack even for a night. Lol.
I think this is a great tip – very useful. I am been trying to implement this rule whenever I shop for new items.