The viral ‘Sudoku packing method’ could solve your over packing problem

All of my fellow overpackers, listen up! I was today years old when I learnt about a method that’ll prevent you from packing a whole wardrobe of clothes “just in case”.

We all know you’re NEVER wearing half of the contents of your suitcase.

A travel hack known as the “Sudoku packing method” is going viral online, with creators sharing videos showing how you can pack fewer clothes while still ending up with a surprising number of outfit combinations.

And it’s so simple, you’ll also be wondering why you’ve never thought of it before. All you need is three shirts, three bottoms, and three layers to build out your outfits like a 3x3 grid.

As long as every item works with the others, those nine pieces can mix and match into 27 different outfit combinations!

I know! It’s taken me days to wrap my head around it.

“The grid layout helps you better plan, organise, and visualise all of your outfit options in ONE view,” Jean Wang wrote on her video sharing the hack. 

She suggests packing:

Tops

• Quality white cotton tee

• Lightweight draped knit

• Dressier top

Layers

• Water-resistant long jacket

• Relaxed blazer or shorter jacket

• Cardigan sweater

Bottoms

• Comfiest medium blue jeans

• No-wrinkle trousers

• Cotton midi skirt

Shoes

• Supportive sneakers

• Sleek flats or loafers

• Kitten heels

By sticking to a small, versatile capsule wardrobe, it means you can maximise suitcase space for buying more goodies and still have plenty of outfit options.

Of course, the trick is choosing the right pieces. Most people using the method lean toward neutral colours and basics, so everything goes together easily.

Naturally, people are raving about the hack, with one person saying: “My mind has not been blown by a post like this in a long time!!!!”

“WAY better than me stuffing my carry-on and then wearing the same two things the whole trip 😂,” another commented.

A third added: “I really love the idea of this! I’m trying to learn to pack less, and this is so aesthetically pleasing!”

I’m also quite genuinely considering tossing my whole wardrobe and using this method as well - anyone else?!