Roles control scope, not taste
When a striking link pulls your browsing wider, give the idea a role instead of following it. The four roles are labels for your own thinking — they are not personal styling advice, and they do not say a product is worth buying.
Anchor
The central category or purpose of the current browsing theme. The anchor is the one thing every other link is measured against. If nothing else on the board serves it, the board has no center.
Support
Ideas that answer the same purpose as the anchor, without changing it. A support piece stays close to the anchor’s goal and helps it hold together.
Detail
Optional supplementary touches. A detail can be added or dropped without losing the theme. It is not required for the board to make sense.
Leave Out
Anything that does not serve the anchor this round. Putting an idea here is not a judgment on the product — it is a decision to keep the current browse in scope.
Center
The category or purpose everything else is measured against.
Same purpose
Answers the anchor’s goal without changing it.
Optional
Can be added or dropped without losing the theme.
Out of scope
Not served by the anchor this round.
Editorial example — not an outfit, recommendation, product set, or saved board.
A worked role assignment
- Anchor: the theme centers on a bag.
- Support: a strap idea that serves the same purpose.
- Detail: a charm or tag you could add or drop.
- Leave Out: a watch that does not serve the bag’s purpose.
Editorial example — not an outfit, recommendation, product set, or saved board.
Continue your review
Next, learn to fix the center first with the anchor piece guide, then re-check details with the coordination check guide.