Do you really need a "third piece"?
I tested the theory all week.
[Just a note: paid subs, please scroll ALL the way down for a third piece DIY Wendy filmed for you. Even I could do this one. Plus a peek inside a unique Miami destination where we shopped after hours.]
“Third Piece” is, I believe, an old-school styling term. Something a stylist in the personal shopping department of say Nordstrom would tell their rushed exec client who just wants a formula, damn it. It doesn’t mean one specific thing; it’s that category of SOMETHING (long necklace, tasseled scarf, cropped knit…) that takes one or two separates and spins them into an outfit, a look. (And note, third pieces don’t have to be “layers” - a bright sock could be your third pice, or a brooch, or a ball cap.)
On Saturday, the paid subs will get a deeper dive into all things third piece, including what to search for when unearthing them secondhand, a closet tour of some of my favorites, and more.
But this week was about testing the hypothesis. Do you really need a third piece?
Short answer: Your life, your style, your rules. You don’t have to layer or add a third piece! But for me, personally, when I just put on a shirt and pants, and even more so with a dress, I often don’t feel enough and crave something more. The idea of this third piece, bringing in one more thought, even when it’s super simple, really helps me feel like me, and might help you feel like you. The bonus, I find, is that as my weight has fluctuated over time, the third pieces always fit. It’s allowed me to create quite a collection over the decades, and they have a lot of staying power.
… ok, the Takeaways this week:
After you get dressed, ask yourself what you feel. If the answer is nothing, meh, sleepy, fine… try a third piece.
You don’t need to buy anything. The easiest third pieces are things you already own. a blazer, a bomber, a vest. A sweater, shirt or sweatshirt around the waist. A colorful sock or tube sock.
Consider adding acidity. A third piece can be a way to get the same wang wang you feel in your taste buds when a dish has a hit of vinegar or fish sauce. The third piece equivalent might be a red/orange bangle, a very sharply bright sweater, a lime sock.
Don’t sweat it. It’s getting warmer; don’t add a third piece if it’s going to make you sweaty and uncomfortable. I actually like a sock in hot weather; I prefer that feel on my foot. But you could also do a necklace, bracelet, ring, hair accessory, statement belt or two of them, a flower pin, etc.
A third piece can really help with color. You’ve heard the Tibi one/ton/none theory. The eye doesn’t know quite where to go with just two bold colors (look at the orange dress and yellow shoe below). But if you add more color, i.e. a “ton,” the eye settles all over seeing an outfit versus ping ponging in between. To a colorful dress and shoe, adding on one more colorful element (or several) can strike a better-feeling balance.
MONDAY
working in a cafe, TPR
Third piece: cargo belt
Tibi viscose polo sweater (old) but Kallmeyer’s is on sale and we love this …. medium, green on TRR … crochet version … also liking this henley, which is that vibe (sheer, but boyish concept)
Miu Miu pleated skirt (similar),secondhand for <200, like this longer style and someone please grab this metallic for <100!! If you’re willing to go longer, this is the gold standard in pleated skirts forever
secondhand Dries Van Noten cargo pocket belt …. same same but different, and here too … vibe options … and this denim? dk them but looks worth a try…and Margiela via eBay
Tibi loafer, on sale! not many sizes left, and our curated black loafer boutique
Old Celine brown leather bangle … wow. And same vibe, <$60.
Lofted Settledness? Yes. This is an example of my Kitchen Sink Neutrals Formula, and it works every time.
TUESDAY
Walking, working, trip to House of Findings
Third piece: Shirt around the waist. I also added the ring, which would have been a third piece too without the shirt.
past season Tibi dress, this one is good and here, if you like stripes, secondhand similar and a different feel: these gauze maxis are so chic and great for layering
Margiela men’s wool shirt, similar feel, and here (I lean towards men’s for chambray) linen blend we like, and this cotton shirt has a great feel
Monies enamel ring (scored on eBay Christene Barberich I thought of you!), these are fun and in different colors (use code HEYMRSSOLOMON15)… and so cheap + cheerful!
secondhand Hermes Bolide, alts boutique here
Loewe ballet flats (and again this foldable fave) and velvet Mary Janes we like
Lofted Settledness? Yes.
WEDNESDAY
morning walk , filming + errands
Comme des Garçons shorts, in blue, these are good, liking this, and secondhand
Prada wide brim bucket hat, smaller brim, love this for <150
Secondhand Lutz Morris tote. The Horse’s new Rumi is a great alt, we like this brand and good color assortment if you want olive and like East-West
travel in the afternoon
Third piece: Sweater around the waist: Great to have the additional plane layer, but honestly without it I would feel off; the yellow next to the darker gray is very abrupt.
secondhand men’s Bottega Veneta hoodie, good one here, long sleeve we like, lt. wt. sweatshirt
CDG cardigan and loving this one rn, and this too (always love a covered button :)
Stella McCartney shacket … great brown is 40% off in the My Theresa sale, secondhand longer version, more of a coat but I like the style
secondhand Chanel weekend bag that slips over the trolley handle, secondhand Khaite; my hub has this one!
Lofted Settledness? Yes. OMG this sneaker is the gift that keeps on giving.
THURSDAY
moving…. WTAF THIS PHOTO? Haggard child!
third piece: bright sweater. This gives oomph to the neutrals. I did end up putting it on, but needed it to feel like me!
secondhand Isabel Marant Etoile sweater; La Ligne’s Ben is <$300 and the colors are so good
Lofted Settledness? Yes.
FRIDAY
unpacking + work
third piece: capelet, though the sock acts like a third piece too; I know this b/c I would have felt complete with that; I also would have felt complete without the sock and just the capelet
Hanna Yoo third piece sweater, avail in this color, vest here, and more ‘sweaters’
M.Gemi sandals (detour … fun raffia slides!)
Lofted Settledness? Yes.
SATURDAY
suit shopping with our son Jack
third piece: red sock — I could wear this without the sweater, and I actually put the sweater in my bag when I got warm, but I wouldn’t have felt enough without the sock.
secondhand Lacoste polo shirt (great secondhand options), like this fit too
secondhand Levi’s jacket, great selection on TRR including x Sacai
CDG cardigan and loving this one rn, and this too(always love covered buttons :)
old Dries Van Noten pants, similar, like these (love this secondhand pair - not cropped) shorter, but these are so good
Gucci Ophidia tote … men’s is always a better deal… (some v cute options floating around like this one for $213) … or go cheap + cheerful for under $30.
Lofted Settledness? Yes.
SUNDAY
belated mother’s day brunch
Third piece: Technically the sweater is a third piece. And in a way the bracelet is too, but I do like this without either of them. The sweater was purely practical. I threw the bracelet on last minute for some acidity but the silver shoe already had enough life.
secondhand Prada top (XS but really like this secondhand) love this green
Dries pants and CDG cardi as Saturday
Prada handbag from mom (secondhand) like this size
secondhand Tiffany bangle (ooo green) … good ones here … and here is one I own + love (use code HEYMRSSOLOMON15)
secondhand Tibi sandals for the lucky 37, gold in 39, love these <300! and these sale Torys are great
Lofted Settledness? Yes.
OUTFIT PLANNING
INCYMI watch the most recent here:
This week: via subscriber Kelly Minta …. Dressing by city. There’s been quite a bit of Tibi content around using the Tibi color wheel to dress by city. Pick your city or a city you’re traveling to (or any city you want; not here to dictate your experience) and spend a week dressing with that in mind, using color to fit into the vibe of this city. Good inspiration here, and here:
Next week: Francisco Lindor style. I was craving some mannish energy, and it’s baseball season. Why not take inspo from one of the MLB’s most stylish players?
Let’s get dressed.
p.s. I would appreciate it so much if you’d like or share this post so others can find me and I can make a living doing what I love. I am grateful!
For access to my weekly finds and cravings, follow HMS here on ShopMy
Now for the paid folks, a little special something something. Wendy shows you how to make your own 3rd piece. And a peek inside a unique Miami shop called Capsool.