If you’re anything like us, packing usually starts with the best intentions…
“I’ll only bring what I need.”
Fast forward an hour and somehow you’re staring at a suitcase full of “just in case” outfits.
We’ve all been there.
Earlier this year, Emily learned a packing trick from a friend before a trip to Italy, and it completely changed the way we think about travel wardrobes. It isn’t about being a minimalist—it just makes getting dressed on vacation ridiculously easy.
Instead of packing complete outfits, you pack categories.
Choose:
3 Tops
3 Bottoms
3 Layers
The only rule? Every single piece has to work with every other piece.
That’s it.
Once you lay everything out, it looks like this:
Top • Layer • Bottom
Bottom • Top • Layer
Layer • Bottom • Top
Three tops × three bottoms × three layers = 27 outfit combinations before you’ve even added accessories.
Throw in a couple pairs of shoes, a few handbags, sunglasses, jewelry, or a scarf and suddenly you have over 30 different looks that all fit inside one carry-on.
Tops
White button-down
White tank
Black tank
Blue linen button-up
Bottoms
White linen pants
Black pull-on trousers
White lace shorts
Layers
Linen blazer
Denim jacket
Lightweight neutral sweater
Shoes
Brown slide sandals
Black sandals
White sneakers
Accessories
Black tote
Brown crossbody
Straw tote
Structured handbag
Notice a theme?
Everything stays within a neutral color palette with one or two soft accent colors, which means every piece naturally works together.
Pick your color palette before you pick your clothes.
This is where most people accidentally overpack.
When everything is black, white, denim, tan, navy, cream (or whatever palette you choose), every item has multiple jobs instead of just one.
Your suitcase suddenly feels twice as functional.
One outfit that’s a little dressier than we think we’ll need.
Comfortable sneakers for travel days and walking.
A lightweight layer for chilly flights and restaurants.
A crossbody bag for sightseeing.
A tote for beach days, shopping, or carrying everything the kids hand us.
Vacation mornings become so much easier.
Instead of digging through your suitcase wondering what matches what, you can grab almost anything and know it’ll work.
Less stress.
Less luggage.
More outfit options.
And yes… you’ll probably still throw in one or two “just in case” pieces because we’re only human. 😉
If you recreate this capsule or use the Sudoku packing method on your next trip, we’d love to see it. Tag us—we’re always looking for new combinations to try.
Shop everything in my carry-on HERE!
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