How 'one-third ugly rule' can ensure your outfits ALWAYS look stylish

Fashion guru goes viral after revealing her ‘one-third ugly rule’ for ensuring her outfits ALWAYS look stylish and never frumpy even if she’s wearing lazy, comfortable pieces like a hoodie

  • Afaf ‘Zeopatra’ Seyam, 29, is a fashion designer and digital artist based in NYC
  • She went viral last month when she shared her ‘one-third ugly rule’ for clothes
  • Zeopatra pairs one ‘ugly’ piece with ‘two stylish things’ to ensure she looks chic

A fashion guru has revealed her secret for ensuring she always looks stylish and never frumpy when she’s wearing comfortable pieces. 

Afaf ‘Zeopatra’ Seyam, 29, a fashion designer and digital artist based in New York, has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares fashion and beauty tips. 

‘If you feel ugly in everything you wear, listen up. There are two categories when it comes to style: function and things you like,’ she explained in a recent viral video. 

By Zeopatra’s definition, functional pieces are ‘ugly and comfortable’ whereas things you like are ‘stylish’ but not always easy to wear.

The fashion influencer shared that she has found a balance between the two, an easy-to-follow strategy that she has dubbed the ‘one-third ugly rule.’

Afaf ‘Zeopatra’ Seyam, 29, went viral on TikTok after she shared her easy-to-follow strategy for getting dressed, which she has dubbed the ‘one-third ugly rule’


‘You may have heard of the rule of thirds. This is my version of that,’ the New York City-based fashion designer said 

Zeopatra explained there are two categories with it comes to style: funtional pieces that are ‘ugly and comfortable’ and ‘things you like’ that are ‘stylish’ but not always easy to wear

‘You may have heard of the rule of thirds. This is my version of that,’ she said. ‘Most outfits can be divided into three areas: top, bottom, and shoes. I allow myself to be ugly and comfortable in one-third of my outfit.’

Zeopatra gave multiple examples, saying if she wants to wear a hoodie, she will ‘pair it with trousers and some chic shoes.’ 

A blazer and trousers can go with sneakers, while a ‘super comfortable’ pajama-inspired jumpsuit works well with a structured jacket and stylish shoes. 

‘If you have one ugly thing, then compensate with two stylish things to make it look like a style choice instead of a frumpy person who has no idea what’s going on,’ she reiterated. 

‘How to not feel ugly and still be kinda practical,’ she captioned the clip, which has been viewed more than 1.9 million times since it was posted in December. 

Hundreds of people shared their thoughts in the comments section, and fans of the rule praised Zeopatra for the easy-to-follow tip.  

‘Yess — this is the exact ratio of looking put together but not trying too hard,’ one person wrote, while another added, ‘This is hands down the best style advice I’ve heard in years!’

‘Never thought of it this way. Genius. That is kinda what the celebs do too isn’t it?’ someone else pointed out. 

How to not feel ugly and still be kinda practical #personalstyle #outfitideas #outfitcheck #outfitformula

‘Most outfits can be divided into three areas: top, bottom, and shoes. I allow myself to be ugly and comfortable in one-third of my outfit,’ she said 



Zeopatra has shared numerous videos of herself modeling her one-third ugly outfits

‘If I’m wearing sneakers, then I will pair [them] with suit trousers and a blazer,’ she said 

Zeopatra reiterated that if you are wearing ‘one ugly thing,’ you should ‘then compensate with two stylish things to make it look like a style choice’

Zeopatra has shared numerous videos of herself modeling her one-third ugly outfits, but there were many people who admitted they weren’t willing to sacrifice comfort for style. 

The feedback inspired her to share her advice for creating outfits that are ‘two-thirds ugly’ but still look put together.  

‘The main thing with one-third ugly that makes it work and look good is when you’re paying attention to fit and structure,’ she explained.

Zeopatra noted that there is a difference between a baggy sweat suit and an oversized button-up shirt with loose-fitting trousers.  

For the days when 1/3 ugly is too much effort #twothirdsugly #onethirdugly #personalstyle #outfitideas #howtostylesweats #outfit #outfitcheck


Zeopatra later shared a follow-up video detailing how to create comfortable outfits that are ‘two-thirds ugly’ but still look put together

She noted that there is a difference between a baggy sweat suit and an oversized button-up shirt with loose-fitting trousers, even though the are probably equally comfortable 


‘Focusing on that top layer being structured will pull any look together,’ the digital artist insisted 

Zeopatra told viewers that ‘jackets can save any outfit’ – even baggy sweats 

‘One looks more put together than the other, even though they’re both probably the same comfort level,’ she told viewers. 

‘Let’s say we’re having a two-thirds ugly day where we wanna wear something baggy [on top], another thing that’s baggy [on the bottom], and some comfy shoes. Focusing on that top layer being structured will pull any look together.’

Zeopatra suggested putting on a button-up shirt, a blazer, or a motorcycle jacket — ‘anything that you can layer on top of a frump outfit that will instantly pull any look together.’   

‘In the winter, it’s super easy to wear head-to-toe sweats or head-to-toe baggy clothes and then throw on a cool jacket,’ she insisted. ‘It makes you look so much more stylish. 

‘Jackets can save any outfit.’ 

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