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I’m heading back to Florida next week, so I’ll be packing again this weekend. I’m going to try to stick to a carry-on and a personal bag, but we’ll see. I’ll be gone for two weeks, and I may decide I’m better off checking a bag and giving myself a few more options.
Spanx Half Zip (S) // Spanx Wide Leg Pants (M) // New Balance 327 (9) // AWAY Bigger Carry-On Flex // AWAY Featherlight Backpack
I’m not planning to be quite this minimal for this trip, but it got me thinking about the popular 3×3 packing formula: three bottoms, three tops, three layers, and three pairs of shoes. I thought I’d play around with it and see how many outfits I could realistically build from just a few pieces.
What to Pack for a Warm-Weather Vacation
The idea is that everything mixes and matches, so you can create multiple outfits without overpacking. And since most of these pieces work just as well at home as they do on vacation, I hope this gives you a little spring outfit inspiration even if you’re not heading somewhere warm anytime soon.
I pulled everything for this capsule from Nordstrom because they always have a great mix of elevated basics, comfortable travel pieces, and shoes that can handle a full day of walking. It’s an easy place to build a cohesive wardrobe like this, especially when you’re short on time.
To round out the capsule, I added a few extras—shoes, a dress, and simple accessories like sunglasses and jewelry. These are the pieces that really finish the outfits and make the whole capsule feel complete.
With this packing method, you can create up to 27 different outfit combinations. I didn’t map out all 27, but I did put together a few examples to give you an idea of how it all works—see below!
You can shop the full capsule in my Nordstrom storefront—I also added the shoes, accessories, and a dress to make it even more versatile. The layers from the 3×3 grid all work over the dress, and you can pair it with any of the shoes depending on the look.
This packing method really takes the guesswork out of packing and makes getting dressed on vacation so much easier. The best part is, these are all pieces you’ll keep reaching for long after the trip is over.
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28 Responses
I’ve seen this trend and am working on my 9-12 pieces for my Netherlands trip coming up next week! It does seem very helpful as I am only taking a carry-on and personal bag. Wish me luck!
It would be perfect for that trip.
You inspired me to do carry on and I will never go back. Just spent a week in kauai and wore everything I brought. I never looked so stylish on vacation. It is really about the mixing and matching and accessories. Thanks.
That’s awesome!
I have seen this trend as well. I want to try it since I over pack. I think I’ll be able to replace the layer piece with another top though since my trips are beach trips.
Yeah, I felt like I didn’t really need 3 layers for a beach trip. And of course, I will need swimsuits and coverups.
Thanks for this post about packing efficiently. You’re right that so many combinations of outfits can be worn out of these travel basics.
P.S. I found a less expensive alternative for the shell drop earrings from your recent Florida post. Anthropologie has a pair of “Wooden Shell Drop Earrings” that are very similar to the ones you featured at an affordable price.
Good to know, thanks!
Please report back how it actually went please. Did you feel too limited? Wish you had added anything else? Can’t wait to see if you feel successful with it
I’m not seeing the Sunglasses listed that you have in the pictures. Am I missing them?
Here are the brown ones: https://nordstrom.sjv.io/YVd3rm
I’m not sure what the black ones are. They’re an older image I had saved in my graphics.
I keep reading that airlines are cracking down this year on carry-ons. They are allowing only small cases and limiting the number so people are having to check a bag. I haven’t flown since last August. Are you finding this to be the case (pun intended)??
I have priority boarding because I fly so much, so I haven’t run into that. But I have heard that sometimes they force people in the later boarding groups to check bags if they run out of room.
We recently (late Feb) flew from CT to Palm Beach, FL on Jet Blue and were forced to check our carryons. We were in the last group to board. I wrote an email to Jet Blue customer service to say that if they are going to force people to check their bags it should be people who already have checked a bag and are already going to baggage claim – rather than people who only have a carryon (like us!). We were being met by family and it made their wait longer as we hung out at the carousel. Jet Blue (probably deliberately) refused to understand my point. We had never flown Jet Blue before and had no status which is why we were in the last group to board. It was the first time I had EVER packed efficiently enough to only use a carryon, which made me laugh that I still had to go to baggage claim, but it was free. I’ll say that. I still saved the checked baggage charge.
TL;DR: YES. They sometimes take your carryon.
I would love to see the outfits that you created. Hopefully you’ll take pictures and return back so we could see if this actually worked out.
Yeah, I’m not sure I’m going to keep myself to this for this trip, but it’s fun to play with. I might use it as the base and then add a few more options since we will be away for 2 weeks. I will definitely try this for my next European adventure.
I can understand 3 layers and 3 pants/shorts but I always want an extra top or two in case of spills/sweat, etc.
I hear ya, 3 tops seems really sparse. The idea is for this to work for you, so throwing in an extra couple of tops is totally reasonable. They don’t take up much room.
Yeah…there’s no way I could pack white shirts and white pants and expect to be able to wear them more than once, lol!
It would be a big accomplishment, if I packed this light for a trip. My excuse is that we always travel by car, so I’ve got the space to take the kitchen sink. It’s unreal that you are about to head back to FL.
Love this idea esp as a starting point. I can see starting with something like this then adding a few extras.
It’s an interesting concept. But no denim jeans?
Oh wow!!!! Can’t believe how you put together all these different outfits. For me it’s too limiting. I’d be so tired of the same items…. But I could see it working if it was a short trip. Enjoy your trip to Florida. You are going to be a expert packer with all these trips.
Hi! Pink doesn’t look great on me. Do you have another color suggestion to swap for the pink top? Preferably neutral?
How about a coral or something warmer? I love coral with all of the other colors in this capsule. Shades of blue or green get tricky, b/c they have to look good with olive and denim and black. Or you could use a shade of blue or green and swap out the olive shorts for a different neutral that works better with those colors.
I was recently in Florida for a full week. I packed a carry-on and my backpack. I had everything I needed. I never take jeans or pants to Florida. Once I get there, whatever I traveled in (white denim crops) goes in my carry-on. I change into comfy shorts. After long winters in Ohio, the last thing I want to wear are pants. I don’t wear jeans in the summer in Ohio either. Shorts, skirts or sundresses are my go to. Unless I’m going to the office. It’s really easy and freeing to choose a color palette and take minimal outfits that mix and match. I typically pack navy, black, and white and pops of color. I don’t take jackets either except my denim I wore on the plane. Great post! Hope your trip to Florida was fantastic!,
I love this. Thank you for making this so easy to shop and actually wear the things I might purchase more than one way. Now… I will still take more than I should on my next trip, as I am a habitual over-packer, but these pieces work well for refining my summer wardrobe and will all your info, I can really maximize the stylish ways to wear everything. I’m so thrilled!
Thats’s great to hear! I’ll be bringing more too, but it’s good to see all the ways things can be worn.