The 333 Method Fits 6 Outfits In a Carry-on

If there’s anything I’ve learned in my decade as a travel writer, it’s that there’s an art to packing light. You have to strike the right balance between function and style, and every piece has to earn its spot in your carry-on luggage if you want to avoid checking a bag. 

So, I’ll let you in on a little secret. The foolproof way travel writers and frequent fliers are achieving carry-on-only travel is called the 3-3-3 packing method. This fuss-free, minimalist approach is simple; you pack just three tops, three bottoms, and three shoes (yes, really, that’s it!) into one carry-on bag and mix and match to create up to 27 looks. It’s no surprise that the packing hack has recently taken over TikTok. 

If you’re mindful about the travel clothes you select and keep everything to a single neutral color scheme, it’s easy to maximize your outfits with versatile pieces that can be worn over and over again. Case in point: I’ve rounded up nine light, breezy, stylish, and functional pieces you can pack for any of your remaining summer trips that will effortlessly make six complete outfits (although there are even more combos you can create!) for everything on the itinerary, from travel days and hiking excursions to sightseeing and nights out.

Start With These 9 Items:

3 tops

3 bottoms

3 shoes

Outfit 1: Travel Day

Abercrombie Oversized Linen-blend Shirt

Baleaf UPF Hiking Pants

Adidas Samba Sneakers

To kick off your summer trip in comfy style, wear your sleek hiking pants and button-up linen shirt (you’ll want it for the chilly airplane air-conditioning, and if you wear the plain white tee underneath, you can tie it around your waist if you get hot). A versatile walking shoe like the Adidas Sambas will keep your feet protected yet stylish when you’re navigating airports and train stations, but they won’t feel too heavy on the go.

Outfit 2: Vacation/Resort

Quince 100% European Linen Fitted Square Neck Tank

Quince 100% European Linen Maxi Skirt

Papillio by Birkenstock Florida Platform Flex Essentials Slide Sandal

Pair your matching set linen tank and skirt with your platform Birkenstocks for a flawless, breezy look you can wear around any resort or vacation destination, taking you from pool bar or beach to fine restaurant. I love that this black and white gingham pattern matches the other pants and tops, but there’s a little more dimension thanks to the on-trend pattern. Style this matching set with a thin black belt at the waist like I did on a recent winery outing in Provence, and it’s as if you’ve packed a full dress—but you can actually separate the pieces to make new looks, making this a genius set to pack.

Outfit 3: Casual Daytime/Sightseeing 

Keva Molly Breathable UPF 50+ Tee

Quince 100% European Linen Maxi Skirt

Adidas Samba Sneakers

Keep it casual and stylish by pairing your maxi skirt and white tee with your comfy walking shoes for daytime sightseeing without totally sticking out like a tourist. But don’t let the cute style of this outfit fool you—this look is super practical, too. The UPF 50+ tee keeps you protected from the sun while you’re out sightseeing, and the lightweight fabric will keep you cool and wick away sweat. Plus, the long linen skirt will also protect you from the sun and keep things cool while covering your knees if any spots on your itinerary have special restrictions. Closed-toed shoes are a must for sightseeing to protect your feet from uneven terrain and provide plenty of support for lots of steps.

Outfit 4: Hiking 

Keva Molly Breathable UPF 50+ Tee

Baleaf UPF Hiking Pants

Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoes

There’s just no way around it: if you’re hitting the trails, you need the proper hiking gear. Make sure to wear your functional sweat-wicking, sun-protecting tee with your hiking joggers (they were made for this moment!) and your hiking shoes with grippy tread and support, of course. I love the Baleaf hiking joggers for warm-weather travel because they are light and breathable yet durable, which is why I’ve worn them on trails everywhere from Vietnam to Hawaii. And if you’re going to splurge on one item for your trip, let it be your hiking shoes. Investing in a trail-ready pair from a trusted outdoor gear brand like Danner that is actually made for hiking will keep you safe and your feet happy the whole trip and beyond. (It doesn’t even matter if you only wear these once on your trip; the comfort is worth it.) Plus, this style is super lightweight for easy carry-on packing.

Outfit 5: Beach Day

Abercrombie Oversized Linen-blend Shirt

Willit Linen Casual High-waisted Pull-on Shorts

Papillio by Birkenstock Florida Platform Flex Essentials Slide Sandal

A classic beach look that’s never out of place, this white on white combo is effortless and will match any swimsuit you’ve packed. The oversized linen shirt is a brilliant bathing suit cover-up and keeps your arms protected from the sun (unless you roll the sleeves up or tie it around your waist) while the linen-blend shorts give you maximum airflow for hot temps. And the Birkenstock sandals are made of water-resistant EVA material that can withstand sand and water.

Outfit 6: Night Out

Quince 100% European Linen Fitted Square Neck Tank

Willit Linen Casual High-waisted Pull-on Shorts

Papillio by Birkenstock Florida Platform Flex Essentials Slide Sandal

Maybe you want to show off your new sun-kissed glow when you head out at night. This cute combo fits the bill and is super on-trend with the gingham style everyone’s been loving this summer. The linen material of the top and shorts means you’ll be able to comfortable walk and dance through whatever you’ve planned, even if it’s swelteringly hot outside, while your platform sandals will give you a boost, elongate your legs, and be the envy of all you meet.

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