We love summer travel but to be honest, packing can be stressful! Recently, we discovered the 3-3-3 styling method used for capsule wardrobes, which involves choosing 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes to create a variety of outfits. Immediately, we realized this method could be a genius packing hack! Not only does it maximize the versatility of the pieces you’re bringing on a trip, it also allows you to pack less!
Packing for a Week with the 3-3-3 Style Challenge
This can be especially useful on longer trips or international travel, where space is at a premium. We shared more of our thoughts about the 333 challenge here, and we also used the style challenge to plan a week’s worth of outfits for a summer getaway!
What We Packed
Krista’s Picks:
- 3 tops: white tank top, chambray button up shirt, patterned ruffle sleeve blouse
- 3 bottoms: tiered midi skirt, white wide leg crop pants, olive green shorts
- 3 shoes: white sneakers, comfort sandals, heeled slide sandals
Julie’s Picks:
- 3 tops: crochet cami, striped button up shirt, white linen tank top
- 3 bottoms: white maxi skirt, chambray wide leg pants, striped boxer shorts
- 3 shoes: white sneakers, flat slide sandals, hiking sandal
Our Outfits for a Week Using The 3-3-3 Challenge!
How We Chose What to Wear for the 3-3-3 Challenge
We’ve done this challenge once before, so we were determined to use our takeaways from our last go around to do a better job choosing our items. The key is selecting pieces with maximum versatility, which lines up exactly with our goals when packing for a trip!
Bottoms:
We focused on choosing bottoms first because we wanted to ensure that our outfits could be styled casually and also dressed up for evening. A midi skirt and wide leg pants are a great choice for both these scenarios. They’re cute with sneakers and also work well with a dressier shoe. We also included a pair of shorts for warmer days, or if we needed a more casual or active outfit.
Tops:
Next we focused on our tops. We learned last time that neutrals are a good choice, but a bit of pattern or color helps to bring in some interest. A white tank top made both of our lists, plus a button up, which has tons of versatility. It can be worn tucked in, layered over our tank tops, tied around our waist, or front tied in a cute knot–we need all the options we can get! Lastly, we made sure to include a top with some visual interest. Krista’s patterned top makes a fun statement, and a striped button up adds a bit of trend.
Shoes:
For shoes, comfort comes first, but style is a close second! A plain white sneaker is a must for days that involve lots of walking. We love how cute they look with skirts and dresses too! A casual sandal was next on our list. It adds more style and the ones we chose actually provide a lot of comfort too. Krista’s sandals have a molded comfort bed and my Columbia sandals are made for hiking or water activities. We both feel like we could walk in these sandals all day! For a more elevated look or for a dinner out, we chose a nicer flat sandal and a low heeled slide. Our shoes, combined with our six clothing items, create every look we need on our vacation!
Since we last tried the 3-3-3 Style Challenge, we’ve learned a few more tricks to make packing even easier and more stress-free. These simple tips help you maximize your wardrobe, save space, and keep your suitcase organized, so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of digging through your bag!
- Roll, don’t fold: Rolling your clothes saves space and helps prevent wrinkles, especially for lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton.
- Mix and match accessories: Scarves, belts, and jewelry can completely change the look of your 3 tops and 3 bottoms without taking up much room.
- Layer for versatility: Pack a lightweight cardigan or denim jacket to extend your outfit options for cooler nights or unexpected weather.
- Limit “just in case” items: Stick to the 3-3-3 pieces you’ve chosen – extra items often just add bulk and stress.
- Use packing cubes: Keep your tops, bottoms, and shoes separated for quick access and organized suitcase space.
It’s good to have a packing method like the 3-3-3 Challenge up your sleeve for when you need to pack quickly and/or minimally! The more you use it, the easier it gets, and we love how it’s helping take the stress out of packing during our busy summer. We would love to hear if you’ve tried this method and what you thought of it. Let us know in the comments below!
Xoxo Julie & Krista
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