TikTok’s ‘333’ Packing Method Just Simplified Carry-On Packing Tenfold

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Packing is hell, even for the cleverest among us. Here are some notes on packing from the late great writer Joan Didion, a woman who interviewed sources as various as rock stars and civil servants during her years as a magazine writer:

"This is a list which was taped inside my closet door in Hollywood during those years when I was reporting more or less steadily. The list enabled me to pack, without thinking, for any piece I was likely to do. Notice the deliberate anonymity of costume: in a skirt, a leotard and stockings, I could pass on either side of the culture.

To Pack and Wear:

2 skirts
2 jerseys or leotards
1 pullover sweater
2 pair shoes
stockings
bra
nightgown
robe
slippers
cigarettes
bourbon

I thought of Didion and her list of essentials as I watched TikTok user @Ayeshayeshbaby6 explain the 333 Packing Method—an easy-to-remember rule of thumb that basically updates Joan Didion’s packing list published in the 1979 classic, The White Album. The 333 Packing Method dictates that you should pack only three tops, three bottoms and three pairs of shoes, and you’ll wind up with 21 looks. (This particular creator also splurges on three accessories and wears a coat and T-shirt—and presumably some pants—on the plane but it’s not worth quibbling about the exact math.)

Sure enough, taking in the 21 looks, I am thinking there’s a soothing quality to the pretty young woman’s looks, and that she too could “pass on either side of the culture,” as Didion did. She can look profesh or casual, with room to spare in her carry-on…say, if she wanted to make some purchases on her trip or have space for those cigarettes and bourbon that Didion held so dear in her luggage. We’ve sourced out our own 333 packing method pieces below, but most of them we’ll wager are already in your home closet. Just be sure to keep everything to relatively non-clashing neutral tones, like you are building a capsule wardrobe, and don’t wild out with anything too tight (because comfort is key when you’re on the road) or overly trendy. After all, you may want to blend into the background, as Didion did, to learn the hot goss and become a legend.

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Three Tops

V neck sweater

Jenni Kayne Flynn Cashmere Sweater

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275

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Black leather jacket

Avec Les Filles Bomber Jacket

https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shopbop.com%2Ffaux-ever-leather-relaxed-bomber%2Fvp%2Fv%3D1%2F1506012249.htm%3F&xcust=333%20packing%20method

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Button Front Shirt

H&M Oversized Cotton Shirt

https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.hm.com%2Fen_us%2Fproductpage.1207640003.html&xcust=333%20packing%20method

27

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White T-Shirt

Ultra Stretch AIRism Cropped T-Shirt

https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uniqlo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fproducts%2FE465762-000%2F00%3FcolorDisplayCode%3D00%26sizeDisplayCode%3D005&xcust=333%20packing%20method

20

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Three Bottoms

Comfy Jeans

Good American 90s Relaxed Jeans

https://www.pntra.com/t/TUJGRkhHSEJHRUVHTUtCRklOSUlM?sid=333%20packing%20method&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodamerican.com%2Fproducts%2Fgood-90s-relaxed-jeans-indigo633

189

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Trouser shorts

Reformation Mason Short

https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=WtZFYDlO0Ks&mid=40090&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thereformation.com%2Fproducts%2Fmason-short%2F1312641PPS.html%3Fdwvar_1312641PPS_color%3DBLK%26quantity%3D1&u1=333packing

128

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Cargo pants

JJXX Straight Leg Cargo Pants

https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asos.com%2Fus%2Fjjxx%2Fjjxx-straight-leg-cargo-pants-in-beige%2Fprd%2F204732678%23colourWayId-204732686&xcust=333%20packing%20method

81

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Three Pairs of Shoes

Pointy black heels

Tony Bianco Harmony Mule

https://howl.me/clAs8f9ZBG7

180

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Black chunky loafers

Coach Leah Loafers

https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.coach.com%2Fproducts%2Fleah-loafer%2FCB990-BLK.html%3F&xcust=333%20packing%20method

195

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Fashion sneakers

Adidas sambas

https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adidas.com%2Fus%2Fsamba-og-shoes%2FB75806.html&xcust=333%20packing%20method

100

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Bonus Accessories

Casual Hat

Ralph Lauren Polo Bear Cap

https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ralphlauren.com%2Fmen-accessories-hats-scarves-gloves%2Fpolo-bear-twill-ball-cap%2F454560.html&xcust=333%20packing%20method%20explained

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Scarf

Bleusalt The Scarf

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1610345&u=1100777&m=100851&urllink=bleusalt%2Ecom%2Fproducts%2Fscarf%2Dm%3F&afftrack=333packingmethod

35

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Belt

Madewell Skinny Leather Belt

https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8757841-14519783?sid=333packingrule&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.madewell.com%2Fskinny-leather-western-belt-99107163295.html%3F

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