Using the TikTok hack called 'the Sandwich Rule', Gen Z matches the colors of their tops with their shoes for a put-together look… (but others say they're just stating the obvious!)

A styling 'hack' called 'the sandwich rule' has gone viral on TikTok – but some say it's just 'learning how to get dressed'.

The term has taken the social media platform by storm, with millions of views on videos of people showing off their color-coordinated outfit combinations.

The sandwich rule is the idea that the top and shoes of the outfit should be color matched to create the “bread,” while the bottoms should be a different color to serve as the “filling.”

It was a term first popularized by British fashion influencer Lydia Tomlinson on Instagram in 2022 – and has now made its way to TikTok.

Lydia describes her working method as follows: 'If you think of a sandwich, the bread is at the top, the bread is at the bottom and something else is in the middle.

'This in turn ensures a balanced effect on the sandwich. The same rules can be applied to your outfits.'

Now, members of Generation Z have proclaimed on TikTok that the dress code has “changed their lives” and that their outfits have “never looked better.”

Han, from Britain, who goes by the name @styledbyhan on TikTok, showed her followers how to create their own sandwich looks.

In her videoshe opted for a leather jacket that matched a black miniskirt, while she paired cherry red shoes with the text on her T-shirt – with a matching red bag.

Han, who has almost eight million followers on TikTok, gave a demonstration of the technique, saying: 'Step one, put on a skirt or pants. They can be in any color you want.

'Step two: put on a top that matches the vibe of the bottoms, but it doesn't have to be the same color. Now put on a pair of shoes that match the color of the top. If the top isn't just one color, choose the bold color.

'Add a jacket to match the bottoms. Now add a bag to match the shoes. The next step is to add jewelry. Make sure the jewelry matches the hardware on the bags.

“And that's it, you've successfully sandwiched an outfit. There are so many combinations you can make.'

Han, from Britain, gave her followers a step-by-step tutorial on how to recreate the method

But while many in the comments asked Han where she bought her clothes, others were left confused about the excitement surrounding the hack.

One commenter said it was a method they were already using without realizing it, writing, “You've been using the sandwich rule all your life.”

Another said: “It literally just matches,” while a third said: “I'm a bit confused, how did you all get dressed?”

Another doubter of the method asked, “Are people learning how to dress now?” while another added: 'Isn't this just making an outfit?'

Meanwhile, Sara Siddiqi also gave a demonstration on how to best use the hack

In another video, Han went for a bright sweater vest in different shades of pink as she paired her black bag with her shoes

But other TikTokers like Katy Gibbs and Anouk Quirk are also big fans of the method, with Katy saying her outfits “never looked better” while Anouk said “Sandwich outfit method for life.”

On her Instagram account, Lydia further explained that the key to the sandwich method is all about “balance,” bringing some of the color of the shoes to the top of the outfit, for example by adding a belt.

You can also achieve balance by thinking about the heaviness of the outfit and preventing it from appearing 'top heavy'.

For example, an oversized blazer paired with skinny jeans and ballet flats can seem 'disproportionate', so adding knee-high boots can give the look more balance.