IG Girlies Love “Styling with Friction”—But Does it Actually Work?

For example, both outfits pictured above are comprised of opposing pieces, but I’d argue only the one on the left really works. In that instance, we have a vibrant blue blazer worn over purple snakeskin Bermuda shorts. The blazer might traditionally be paired with trousers instead, to play up those office apparel vibes, while the shorts feel pretty rock-and-roll, making them an obvious choice to layer under a graphic tee or leather moto jacket. But the reason they work when worn together is because they’re both very structured, tailored pieces. And as an added bonus, they fit into a similar color family. Even those feather-trimmed sandals pair back to the color of her jacket, adding yet another point of style friction to her outfit.

As for the look on the right, I think it has too many conflicting pieces with no real connecting line. We’ve got a vintage-inspired faux-leather bomber jacket paired with sporty lilac leggings and neon green pumps that would blend right in at a rave. The colors don’t relate to one another, there’s not enough of a proportion difference to add interest on that front, and there are far too many aesthetics and references happening here. The black-and-white bowling bag also does nothing to band these three items together, leaving us with an outfit that feels entirely random and mismatched, and that misses the “fashion magic” that Styling with Friction promises.

So, how can you embrace styling with friction while avoiding looking like you got dressed in the dark? I suggest starting by choosing just one element that introduces friction, and one element of connection. For example, pairing together a crisp, cotton button-up and a crochet midi skirt combines two opposing textures. But opting for styles that both incorporate blue stripes gives them a way to relate to one another.

As for the middle look pictured here, the button-up shirt and pleated skirt are both giving traditional office-apparel vibes, while the silk strapless top layered over the top feels much more like cocktail- or party-attire. This gives us our point of friction, while the connecting thread comes from the structure of all three pieces. They each have a similar weight or heft, and all three have a clearly tailored frame, despite their differing vibes.

Lastly, layering a swingy, sequin minidress over wide-leg jeans works because both pieces have a lot of volume.

Bottom Line

Styling with Friction is a great tool for putting together interesting and unexpected outfits, and for potentially getting more use out of all the pieces in your wardrobe. But it’s not as simple as pulling just any two items from your closet and tossing them on willy-nilly. It takes a bit more work to really understand the nuances of how Styling with Friction adds interest to your outfits, but if you’re willing to put in just that little extra bit of effort, I’d say this is one fashion trick that’s absolutely worth learning.