The fashion girls weren’t lying when they said they had the fastest tricks to getting your look together. And as a lazy college student, I’ll take any hack I can get. These two fashion rules will improve your style and self-esteem, and are easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
When 2026 rolled around, I decided I needed to do something to make myself feel better on the day-to-day. I was in the market for any small form of self-care that would make me look and feel my best.
Enter the 2/3 Rule.
There are three parts to every woman’s outfit. Hair, makeup, and clothes. The 2/3 Rule states that two out of the three things must be done for you to go out in public; this has been a well-loved rule in fashion for decades. When I came across a TikTok of a girl speaking on the 2/3 rule, I was hooked. She said that if she wanted to wear sweatpants and a hoodie to class, she always made sure her hair and makeup looked good, even if done in a simple fashion.
I took a deep dive and found several other women who felt the same way. If this was working for everyone else, why couldn’t it work for me? I decided to try this for January, and if I didn’t like it, I would go back to what I was doing before (which was nothing).
Not surprisingly, putting in the small amount of effort to do 2 out of 3 things each day has made me feel more put-together than ever. Knowing that I tried, even if my “makeup” is just a swipe of bronzer and a little concealer, and my “hair” is just putting it up in a nice ponytail or making sure it’s not frizzy, or my outfit is jeans and a flattering shirt, makes me feel much more confident and comfortable walking into class. I look forward to getting ready every morning instead of dreading getting to class.
If you have found the 2/3 Rule to be easy, or have the energy to up your game even more, there’s one more rule to keep in mind.
A few weeks into January and implementing the 2/3 Rule, I found the Three-Piece Rule.
Coined by Ralph Lauren and still required in their office to this day, the Three-Piece Rule states that an outfit feels most polished when it includes three main elements (not counting shoes or small accessories). Two pieces, like a top and jeans, sometimes work fine, but can feel flat or unfinished. Throwing in a belt or a statement necklace can tie together an outfit seamlessly.
The idea is to look intentional.
Pairing this with the 2/3 Rule can make you look like a put-together baddie and help you feel the confidence to command every room you enter. Or at least command your self-esteem.
I now have a month of the 2/3 Rule under my belt, and two-ish weeks of the Three-Piece Rule, and I feel like I am finally putting the effort into myself that I deserve. Instead of throwing on whatever’s clean and rushing out the door, I’ve started being more intentional, even in the smallest ways.
Adding that extra layer and taking a few extra minutes with my hair or makeup has completely changed how I show up every day. It’s not about dressing up or doing too much. It’s about feeling confident, put together and comfortable in my own skin.
Those small choices have made a bigger impact than I ever expected. I walk into class feeling more confident. I’m more excited to leave my apartment in the morning. Even on busy days, I feel like I’m showing up as my best self instead of just surviving the day.
What surprised me most is how easy it actually is. These aren’t huge changes or expensive upgrades, just simple style habits that make everyday life feel a little more elevated. And honestly, when you look good, you feel good.
Sometimes putting yourself together is less about perfection and more about intention, and these two rules have made that effortless. If you are a lazy college girl, trust that these small changes will make all the difference for you.