I have always struggled with the third piece when it comes to dressing. Blazers, sweaters, scarfs are all too hot for me.

I had heard that a statement necklace can act as that elusive third piece, but I personally have rarely seen it work in real life. Well, I can't say that anymore.

While traveling, I discovered that a necklace can be the third piece!!!! But it can't be any necklace. It has to be a statement necklace (and by that I don't mean "big" or "ostentatious," I mean interesting and one-of-a-kind that works perfectly with the neckline of the top.

I was so pleasantly surprised to see this in action in real life. The style quotient went through the roof and the absence of a sweater/blazer was not even noticed.

I took full note of this new development. I studied why some ensembles worked so beautifully and some did not work as well.

Here is what I learned.

1. Each "statement" necklace was unique. They were not the necklaces/pendants you see pretty much everywhere. The necklaces were interesting in terms of color or style; they caught and held your eye without desperately screaming "look at me." They added and did not subtract.

2. Every necklace that acted as a successful third piece worked perfectly with the neckline of the top. There was a synchronicity that drew and pleased the eye. Again, the necklace added to the ensemble and did not compete or jar the eye.

This is where mathematics come into play. It seemed to me that the most successful ensembles were based on some undefined mathematical equation that brought the lines/angles together in a soothing and very attractive manner.

Based on what I just learned, I do not own one single statement necklace. But I do understand mathematics. This is something I can slowly define over time. I won't be able to wear the same necklace across every neckline in my wardrobe. I'll have to define some parameters and work within those constraints.

This might be worth doing because it is that elusive third piece that I have been missing all along. It instantly elevates the entire ensemble from acceptable to stellar.