How To Upgrade All Of Your Outfits With The 'Sandwich Method' Of Styling

We've seen a few fashion aesthetics come and go over the years — from the mob wife look to quiet luxury and old money — but there's one method of dressing that goes beyond any trend. And it's here to stay. The sandwich method is a simple styling hack that can elevate any outfit, no matter what your style, and it'll make choosing your looks so much easier in a hurry. No actual sandwiches required, sadly. The idea, also known as sandwich dressing, has been around since at least 2016 and while it's unclear who initially created it, it's since gained popularity on TikTok. Countless fashion influencers have racked up millions of views explaining the idea and showing their outfits.

Sandwich dressing involves wearing two same color garments (one on your top half and one on your bottom), with clothing in a different color in between to break them up. Think of the matching pieces as the bread and the other piece(s) as the filling, hence the sandwich name. The first slice of bread could be a jacket or top, the filling could be your pants or a skirt, and the second slice of bread could be shoes. The result is an outfit that looks effortlessly balanced and complimentary, so you won't have to spend hours trying to work out what go together. It's also a great alternative to monochrome dressing, a trend that became outdated in 2024.

One of the chicest, simplest ways to try it is pairing a plain white t-shirt with blue jeans and white sneakers. For something trendier, you could try a wisteria blazer (the hottest color trend for spring 2025) with a black top and pants, paired with wisteria statement heels (another massive 2025 shoe trend). 

Once you've mastered sandwich dressing using matching colors, it's time to get more creative. The same concept can work by pairing different fits together, too. So, for example, if you wore the loose denim trend via your jeans, this would be your filling. For the bread either side, add a form-fitting top and strappy, close-fitting sandals. This will help you have fun with proportions without worrying if the mix of formfitting and oversized/baggy pieces create a balanced outfit.

Although the rule of at least two matching garments (one on your top half and one on your bottom) needs to stay the same for the concept to work, there are a few other ways you can put your own spin on sandwich dressing. Instead of focusing on the classic idea of your top/jacket matching the shoes, you could try a hat in the same color as your footwear, or carry a bag that matches your shoes instead. You can also have fun pairing different shades of the same color together if you don't have an exact match.