One, Ton, or None: A Simple Rule for Getting Dressed

19. Mai 2025

When you’re putting an outfit together, it can be hard to know how much is too much. Or not enough.

One, Ton, or None was coined by Amy Smilovic, founder of fashion brand Tibi.

“[Use] One, Ton or None to curate a fluid style where the eye can rest. One pop of color gives focus where two pops can distract. Ironically, a full flood of colors creates calm. And conversely, the absence of color – through neutrals – ensures equilibrium is met.” — Tibi

The concept is originally rooted in colour, but it works well for prints, silhouettes, accessories, and textures too.

And it's about balance.

One

One bold element. One colour pop, one standout pattern, one strong accessory. The rest stays relatively neutral or classic.

Depending on your setting, skirts on men or males draw attention by default. So in many cases, even a moderately bold skirt can serve as the outfit’s standout piece.

Here's what this might look like in practice, with a loud tee being the piece that grabs the eye:

Ton

Go all in. Colours, textures, accessories, cuts. Multiple eye-catching pieces let the eye stop searching for a focal point. This doesn't always mean maximalist, or 'more is better', but you have to commit.

See our Pattern mixing style tip for what this can look like when you play with the added layer of leggings.

Below is an example with multiple patterns, detail in the shirt collar, at least four colours, a bracelet accessory, and yellow sandals:

Because skirts can already be a statement piece, men—especially those new to wearing them—often build outfits that help them fade into the background a bit. That’s why you don’t see 'Ton' looks as often on skirted men. But when it’s done well, it can be powerful. Here are a few examples: