I Tried the “333 Method” to Pack My Carry-On Bag, and I Was Shocked by the Results (2024)

Barbara Bellesi Zito

Barbara Bellesi Zito

Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, covering all things real estate and home improvement. When she's not watching house flipping shows or dreaming about buying a vacation home, she writes fiction. Barbara's debut novel is due out later this year.

published Jun 1, 2024

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While my packing technique has improved thanks to packing cubes, I still default to using a larger suitcase every time. But after seeing TikTok creator Rachel Spencer’s 333 method of packing a capsule wardrobe, I’m ready to start traveling with much smaller luggage again.

What Is the 333 Method?

The 333 method is simple: Pack three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes, then mix and match for at least nine different outfits or 27 different looks if you’re counting the various shoe options, too.

Now, I can get on board easily with the three shoes and three bottoms, but sticking to just three tops is a bit tricky. I’m no fashionista, but I like to change things up when I’m on vacation, which usually means a different top (maybe even two!) each day. But after seeing Spencer curate a whopping 19 outfits out of her nine pieces, I realized that it was possible to change up my look without overpacking. I watched her video about half a dozen times and took notes.

Spencer selected tops that could be layered or stand-alone for different looks. For example, she wore her cardigan buttoned up, open, and even flipped around so it looked like a pullover. She also selected a basic white tank as one of her tops, which made a great base layer, and her trio of shoes could be worn with every outfit to dress them up/down accordingly.

How I Used the “333 Method” to Pack My Carry-on Overnight Bag

I was inspired by Spencer’s careful curation of her tops, especially her strategy of using button-downs to create multiple different looks. So here’s what I dug out of my closet for an upcoming trip.

  • Tops: A button-down cardigan, a button-down shirt, and a black T-shirt
  • Bottoms: Dark jeans, lighter jeans, and black pants
  • Shoes: Sneakers, flats, and wedges

I mixed and matched a few and found that, yes, there were at least nine viable outfits there, and zipped it all up in one packing cube. I packed everything in my new overnight bag. Well, now it’s officially a nine-day bag because it fit the shoes in the bottom compartment and had plenty of room up top for my single packing cube and the rest of my items, including underwear, pajamas, toiletries, and a smaller makeup bag — no way I’m traveling with a half-dozen different lipsticks now that I can change up my look so easily!

While I don’t need nine different outfits on my next trip, this was a fun experiment. And it’s one that I can easily replicate whenever I want to pack light but still feel like I have a lot of wardrobe options.

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I Tried the “333 Method” to Pack My Carry-On Bag, and I Was Shocked by the Results (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3 3 3 packing rule? ›

Essentially, three bottoms, three tops, three shoes. And it's effectively. to show you that you can mix and match anything. to create multiple different outfits.

What is the 333 rule for packing? ›

If you struggle with what to pack, the 333 method may just be for you. This is where you select 3 tops, 3 bottoms and 3 pairs of shoes from your wardrobe to pack. It's incredible the amount of looks you can create from just 9 pieces.

What is the 3x3x3 packing rule? ›

The concept of this packing rule is that you choose three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes to create more than a dozen outfit looks that fit easily into your carry-on.

What is the 1 2 3 4 5 rule packing? ›

Consider the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule

One general guideline is to pack one hat, two pairs of shoes, three bottoms, four tops (short or long-sleeve or outer layer), five pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear. This should be enough to last you for two weeks.

What is the 333 method for travel? ›

The 333 method is simple: Pack three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes, then mix and match for at least nine different outfits or 27 different looks if you're counting the various shoe options, too.

What is the 333 rule for travel? ›

What is the 3-3-3 Rule of RV Travel? The 3-3-3 rule is a set of guidelines for how you can structure your travel for maximum enjoyment by driving only 300 miles per day, camping for three nights in every campground, and arriving at your site by 3 PM.

What is the 333 styling method? ›

The 333 styling method is a minimalist fashion challenge encouraging individuals to select and wear only 33 items for 3 months. This includes clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear, and shoes, aiming to simplify wardrobe choices and promote sustainable fashion habits.

What is the 333 method? ›

The 333 anxiety rule involves observing three things you can see, three things you can hear, and three things you can move or touch. It is a grounding technique — a coping skill to manage intense emotions by steering the mind away from anxiety and toward the present moment.

Does the 333 rule work? ›

You can use the 333 rule for anxiety in the moment something triggers you. Just look around to identify 3 objects and 3 sounds, then move 3 body parts. Many people find this strategy helps focus and ground them when anxiety seems overwhelming. The 333 rule is a common and informal technique for coping with anxiety.

How to do the 333 rule? ›

It's an easy technique to remember and use in the moment, it's available to us the majority of the time, and it can be a simple strategy to help us focus and ground when anxiety overwhelms. Put simply, you name three things you can see, three you can hear, and move three different body parts.

What is the 333 packing list? ›

What is the '333 packing' method? The concept is fairly simple: Choose three tops, three bottoms and three pairs of shoes to create different outfit combinations. The result is more than a dozen looks that fit easily in your carry-on luggage.

What is the 54321 method of packing? ›

We believe the secret to becoming a light packer is the 54321 method. For a weeklong holiday, that means you'll need: five shirts and/or T-shirts, four pairs of trousers, three accessories (think hats, belts and sunglasses), two pairs of shoes and one pair of swimming trunks.

How to pack only a carry-on? ›

How to Pack a Carry-On Bag Like a Pro
  1. Pack your personal item wisely. ...
  2. Resist the call of your shoes. ...
  3. Follow the 1-2-3-4-5-6 rule. ...
  4. Invest in some compression bags. ...
  5. Roll your clothes. ...
  6. Pack pieces that go together. ...
  7. Go digital wherever you can. ...
  8. Don't stress if you forget anything.

What is the 333 rule on TikTok? ›

Coined by TikTok creator and self-proclaimed fashion girlie, Rachel Spencer (@rachspeed), the '333' method challenges you to select nine items from your wardrobe (specifically, three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes) and create as many outfits as you can, using only these items.

What is the 3x3 packing method? ›

Here's how it works: simply select 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. By sticking to this simple formula, you'll be amazed at how many different looks you can achieve with just a few key pieces.

What is the 3-3-3 travel method? ›

What is the 3-3-3 Rule of RV Travel? The 3-3-3 rule is a set of guidelines for how you can structure your travel for maximum enjoyment by driving only 300 miles per day, camping for three nights in every campground, and arriving at your site by 3 PM.

What is the 3-3-3 technique? ›

It's an easy technique to remember and use in the moment, it's available to us the majority of the time, and it can be a simple strategy to help us focus and ground when anxiety overwhelms. Put simply, you name three things you can see, three you can hear, and move three different body parts.

What is the 3-3-3 method? ›

The 3/3/3 method is a time management technique introduced by Oliver Burkeman, author of "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals." The method involves spending three hours on the most important current project, three hours on smaller tasks, and three hours on maintenance activities every normal working day[1 ...

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