The 3x3x3 Challenge

02/12/24

Y’all know I’m not one for social media challenges, but I recently saw one that caught my eye. The 3x3x3 challenge is basically a way to create more looks with the clothes you have (something I love to do). It’d be perfect if you want to build a capsule wardrobe and have a limited number of items in your closet!

What is the 3x3x3 challenge?

The challenge is to see how many looks you can create with 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes. The trick is to find pieces that will work well together, so you want to have some sort of consistent color combo happening.

I chose to do black, white, grey, and denim because I thought you could truly mix and match any number of outfits out of that. Honestly, I was surprised how many looks I was able to create. The challenge was so fun too!

The items I chose for the 3x3x3 challenge

When it came to choosing pieces for the challenge, I knew versatility was key. Once I selected my color palette, it was time to build out the wardrobe.

The tops

The first thing I grabbed was a traditional blazer because I knew that could be used to create several different looks. I also pulled my favorite white tee because I needed something casual that could also be layered. And a classic cashmere sweater felt like the perfect final top to include.

the bottoms

Jeans were a no-brainer, but I had to find the perfect pair for this challenge. Since I’ve been digging non-skinny jeans lately, I really liked the idea of including these trouser jeans and they didn’t disappoint. These Levi’s white ankle jeans could easily be dressed up or down. And these black trousers were fun to play around with — way easier to style than I initially thought they’d be!

the shoes

Shoes were surprisingly my favorite part of this challenge. I am obsessed with my adidas Sambas right now, so those immediately made the cut. I knew I wanted a bootie of some sort, and I’m currently loving these Marc Fisher pointed toe booties. For a classic, dressier look, these Jeffrey Campbell flats did the trick.

the accessories

I’ve seen the challenge done a few ways, but I wanted to include accessories in mine – so I did. 😉 My everyday necklace stack makes any outfit better, so I kept that. Then I grabbed this black belt (so glad I did!) and this super cute black headband from Amazon.

The 3x3x3 challenge results

I ended up creating 27 looks! I was shocked. Honestly, it wasn’t as hard as I imagined. It really does come down to choosing the right pieces up front. My recommendations are finding a neutral color palette (or at least one that works well together) and adding some casual pieces and a few more formal items.

Also, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. I loved playing around with different ways to wear a classic sweater (I wore it around my shoulders, under a blazer, tied around my neck, and tied around my waist) — and each way created a totally different look. Plus, accessories can make a look feel completely new!

This was such a fun experiment. If you are wanting to create a capsule wardrobe or just need to purge your closet and are trying to decide which pieces are more versatile/useful, I highly recommend doing this challenge! It forced me to be creative for sure!