So you’re leaving town, hitting the road, blowing this crazy pop stand, and you’re already stalled, thinking of what to pack? No worries! If you just relax, take a deep breath and follow my handy packing tips, there is no reason your vacation can’t start right now! And if it’s not a vacation you’re packing for, these tips can also turn a routine business trip into something more like a vacation, and it all starts with how you pack!

STEP ONE: Get out a pen and paper. Not your blackberry, or ipad. You want a good old-fashioned hard copy of your list, so you can check it off, wrinkle it, cross it out, throw it on the bed, put it near the underwear drawer, etc. You need something immediate and not distracting like a computer to make your list.

STEP TWO: Consider how many days will you be gone? Four days? Five? Ten? You can usually figure on the total outfits being one per day up to five days, then only two more. So you can pack for any trip in 7 or less outfits. Usually less than five! 
Not many people want to pay the outrageous fees charged by the airlines for checked luggage. Gone are the days when you could easily bring three or four suitcases on a trip for FREE, and really, do you want all that luggage alone to slow you down? Too many choices are worse than not enough! 
These days most people are packing everything in a carry-on-sized piece of luggage. And happily, they make beautiful, roomy carry-on-sized suitcases these days, so splurge and buy one. Don’t bother with the “suitcase sets” of two or four pieces that seem like such a bargain! They include a large non-carry-on size, and a worthless tiny messenger bag size, and a cheap carry-on size that will fray and look beaten after two trips. I just bought a single, carry-on sized suitcase at Target for 99.00. It is a lovely dark blue, swivels, rolls easily, and has a really roomy interior! I can fit a week’s worth of clothes into that bad boy!

STEP THREE: Where are you going? What is the weather like there? What will you be doing while you’re there? Write down the answers, and then choose your clothes based on the following guidelines:

Jeans. Jeans have become a staple fashion choice for any age. I highly recommend jeans for the better part of your every day wardrobe, and certainly for traveling, but THEY MUST BE THE RIGHT JEAN. Extremely important! For a fool-proof, sophisticated but casual and comfortable jean, pick dark wash, stretch denim. A simple boot cut or straight leg jean will suit for most tops, or you could try a trouser jean, or a simple boyfriend fit. But not too much distressing or whiskering, and no embellishments! You want the jeans you bring to go with everything, no fuss. For a five day trip, you can get away with two pairs of jeans. More than that will crowd your suitcase. I almost always travel with dark wash stretch denim because it looks great no matter what, goes with everything, and is comfortable to wear on the plane. (If you wear one pair of jeans that leaves only one to put in your suitcase!)

Tops. I like to look grown-up, chic, and comfortable when I travel. No fleece. No clogs. No muffin top. I like to wear a simple, sleek top that doesn’t cling (tunics are great to travel in!) with dark jeans on the plane, usually topped by a soft, belted cardigan for snugly warmth in a drafty airport. Also on the plane….I always wear slip-on shoes, or zip-up boots with socks. Do not wear sandals, unless it is the middle of summer and they are really comfortable, cute sandals. Although most US travelers do not seem to care if they are seen wearing pajamas in an airport, or yoga pants and flip flops, traveling does require a little decorum, and showing off your toes is not really necessary. So choose some adorable slip-on loafers, or ballet flats, or if you don’t want to walk with bare feet through security (yuck!), wear the boots with socks. Warm, cute, and appropriate!

More on tops: You can usually be a little more liberal in choosing the number of tops to pack, because they compact better than jeans and you can fit more in. I like to bring choices of layers along on a trip, because you never know when the Santa Ana winds are going to pick up, or an un-seasonal rain shower might fall. Remember, Disneyland can get pretty cold at night, even in the summer! So pack tops that go with each other. If you think you’ll be going out to dinner, pack a blousey top of rayon, poly, or a washable silk blend, which is a day or night fabric. If you stick to un-trendy solids, you can dress them up with different accessories! My last trip to California I packed a black rayon tunic that

1. I wore on the plane (with dark wide-leg jeans, brown heeled boots, a soft scarf and large gold earrings).

2. I wore shopping in Palm Springs (over dark skinny jeans and ballet flats, hair in a bun, dark shades, silver earrings).

3. I wore to dinner (over same skinny jeans with heels, and long stone pendant). That’s pretty good for one top!

Suggestions for tops to pack, depending on where you’re going and what time of year:

Light, blousey tops of washable silk or rayon. These tops practically disappear in your suitcase, the fabric is so light. They shake out and will loose any wrinkles when lightly steamed in the bathroom, or when thrown into a cool dryer, and can be warmed up and dressed down with sweaters and jackets.

Light cardigan or two in neutral colors. You might like the look of that leopard-print cardigan, but resist packing it. You’ll be much happier with the navy blue or charcoal grey cardigan when you’re looking for something to wear to the museum. That same solid cardigan can be worn to dinner over a dress, too! Make sure the sweaters you do pack are of good quality, no pills, no unraveled threads.

Tee-shirts. Only pack a couple of these, unless your entire trip is spent on the beach. A good, white v-neck tee (Eileen Fisher makes some wonderful ones!) will always come in handy, with jeans, with a skirt, or shorts, under any cardi, with any accessory. Grey tees are also a good choice, being a sophisticated neutral that can be dressed up or down. Of course a black tee is always worth the space in the suitcase. Be judicious in your choice of stripes and colors, only picking those that are totally appropriate for your destination, and those that really look good on you!

Sweaters. A must, but also a possible packing pitfall because of their bulk! One must choose their sweaters wisely, to avoid over packing. Consider bringing, A light, black cardigan. Doesn’t sound sexy, but will be your travel workhorse from the plane, to shopping, to driving, to dinner, and all activities in-between. A fine, light black cardigan is a great choice.  A soft, chunky thigh-length cardigan in a neutral shade, belted. This piece will be your travel coat, luncheon layer, and evening wrap. One good-quality, chunky piece in a neutral color (ivory, grey, camel, brown, navy) can be worn on the plane, out shopping, on the restaurant patio.

Pants. I don’t pack many pants, because I usually wear dark denim, however if I did need an alternative to jeans I would pack only one pair of pants. Choose a pair that goes with at least two of your tops. I like black trousers in a nice heavyweight twill or light wool blend. Unless I’m off to the Bahamas, a sturdy dark pant looks most flattering and appropriate, anywhere you go. Cropped black trousers look great with sweaters, tees, flats, and jackets, and keep a preppy sophistication in your look. It’s nice to not look like the cliché American when traveling, with loud pants and ugly shoes, and if you’re visiting museums or churches, it’s nice to show respect with a grown-up wardrobe!

Coats. Be careful here, coats are the bulkiest item to travel with. I only bring one coat, and none if I can get away with it. I like a long, soft cardigan instead of a coat, but if it’s too cold or wet, then bring a good, warm coat on the plane. There’s no way you’ll stuff a coat into your carry on suitcase, so either splurge on a check-in, or wear it on the plane. Once again, neutrals please! A crazy print or color will just look cheap when you’re traveling, and you’ll get tired of it before the trip is over.

Dresses. I do love a dress. Mostly for day wear. A one-piece outfit is a space-saver too. I choose looser-fitting day dresses in cotton, denim, or the right jersey. Shirt dresses are a chic, comfortable day outfit, dressed down with flats and flat sandals. Watch out for TOO SHORT HEMS. It is an epidemic in the fashion industry, the high hem length. For ordinary people though, not cute on anyone over 25, and really, not on most under! Fortunately, there is a slight change with cute knee-lengths appearing, some mid-calf lengths and of course the maxi. Consider letting down the hem on your dress, if possible. It’s hard to make it too long, and a too-short hem is embarrassing when you’re leaning over for anything. And you lean a lot when you travel! Once your thighs are covered, however, a day dress is a swingy, cool piece to wear almost anywhere.

Skirts. A skirt can be like a jean, a go-to separate for any top. In my opinion skirts are for most people more flattering than shorts. An a-line skirt eliminates any thigh issues immediately, and most bum issues as well. In a neutral color or quiet print this can be the perfect summer bottom with tees and sweaters, flats and sandals. One skirt ought to do it, unless you’re very skirt friendly, then just two.

Shoes. Like coats, shoes can be the thing that fill up a suitcase. Yet it’s nearly impossible to get away with only one pair! Even two is inadequate on many trips. What to do? First, choose the shoe you’ll travel in. The ones you’ll wear on the plane. I do usually pick the most substantial pair, to avoid having to pack them. If this works with the outfit I have in mind, then that’s one pair. Also, I usually need a lighter pair, for walking. Comfy ballet flats or loafers that go with everything are always packed in my suitcase. I mean really comfy, with sleek rubber heels and cushions. My feet need to be comfortable when I travel, it’s a must! Anyone with back issues knows what I’m talking about. But we must also be cute, ladies! It is essential to the emotional well-being of our journey! So, get yourself some cushy black ballet flats, no embellishments. Or, camel-colored are great. Brown. I have some dark wine-colored ones that go with nearly everything. Ok, that’s two pair. What if you like to work out? Athletic shoes are clunky monsters! (And we are NOT wearing them on the plane!!!) So…if you must work out, pack the lightest shoe possible for it. If you’re a runner, you’ll have to pack whatever shoe you need. So, either elbow your shoes into your suitcase, or leave them to the side to a special appearance in my “Secret Carryon Space” I will describe later. If you don’t run, maybe you can get away with packing a lightweight, slip on sneaker, or some other less bulky shoe to wear to the gym.

Dress shoes. Lately, I’ve avoided packing dress shoes by making my comfy ballet flats double as dress shoes. They do look pretty with my dinner dress! If, however you need to have a heel, or want to sex it up a bit on vacation, you’ll have to pack another pair of shoes. Hopefully, you aren’t packing athletic shoes AND dress shoes. If you aren’t then it’s doable, if you are, well, I hope your shoes are small. If you must pack dress shoes, see if they can’t be the kind that will go with one other outfit as well. I have a cute wood-heeled sandal for instance that would look great with a dress, or jeans. The heel is low enough to be comfortable for an afternoon of strolling. 

Flip Flops and Slippers. Thank goodness flip flops and slippers don’t take up very much room, because they are a god send! Only one pair each, mind you, and make sure they’re as flat as possible--no wedge-heeled flip flops if you can help it! A clean, sleek pair of black flip flops (again, no embellishments, sequins, etc) and a soft, clean pair of slippers will come in handy from the hotel room to the pool, to your in-law’s kitchen. Slide these babies on their sides along the edge of your suitcase.

Ok. So now the actual packing. The putting-in of the articles. I start with large items like jeans and shoes. I often roll the jeans and put them in the deep corners. The shoes, lined in a yin-yang postion, squish in next. Any thicker item like a sweater or pajama bottoms layers in next, tees, and on top the rayon or silkier pieces, dresses, etc. Socks, bras, undies all layered in around the sides. Also in the suitcase, a hair dryer if necessary, and straightening iron, curling iron, etc. Keep this to a minimum. Any chargers, for phone, ipad, laptop, camera, etc. cords coiled neatly stashed in corners or in netting, easily identifiable so the security people don’t think they are hidden bomb fuses and rifle through everything.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE:

On my frame of mind: One of the reasons my vacations always start with packing is because I use a trip, whether for business or pleasure, as an excuse to present THE BEST POSSIBLE ME. When you’re on the road, away from your house and regular duties, it is possible to start the trip with a clean slate, bringing along only your favorite things. When you're living light, and with only the essentials to your personal comfort, it creates a very powerful zen-like serenity that you take with you wherever you go. I believe this centered, confidant and relaxed feeling attracts a smoother, more beautiful experience, and it certainly cuts down on stress! Even with a plane delay, a bumped seat, or a bad rental car, if you're packed properly and you have everything you need at your fingertips, then you are still in control of the situation and can find the beauty in it. Personally, I start every trip with a complete personal grooming session. I pluck, I shave, I paint my toes, exfoliate my skin, and buff my nails. When I have cleaned everything out, and set the stage to start choosing my clothes and accessories, I feel I have created a fresh canvas on which to create my experience. I open my empty suitcase and start filling it with my favorite clothes. I make sure that every piece I choose is of good quality, with no pills, no frays, no stains. When I’m standing in line at security among a lot of other people, or sitting on the plane closely surrounded by others, I don’t want anyone focusing on the hole in my sweater, the rip in my jeans, or the (god-forbid) cracks in my heels! So I take that decidedly un-glamorous possibility entirely out of the equation by only choosing the best of what I have and leaving everything of lesser quality at home. When I’m on the road, it’s reassuring to know that whatever sweater I grab, or jeans I wear, or tee shirt I have, are the cutest and freshest possible. Feeling great means looking great, and this often leads to a great trip!

DIANE’S SECRET CARRY-ON SPACE

I have a secret carry-on tip for getting a little more carry-on space than the airline would like, but without inconveniencing anyone. You are allowed one carry-on-sized suitcase, and one “small personal item”, like a purse or a backpack. My secret is in the definition of “small”. I bought a really rather large tote bag, in black patent leather, that is quite roomy. It doesn’t look that big though, because it is black and fashioned like a purse. It doesn’t scream “Duffle Bag!” and cause the stewardesses to reject it at the door. It is a discreetly huge, purse-styled bag in a dark color, and I sling it across my back as I walk down the plane aisle, with my suitcase in front of me. No one even sees its massive bulk! And then I swing it down into the space between my feet, under the seat in front of me, like a good passenger. While others are freaking out around me over where they an stash their jacket, or having to open their bag to get something out and blocking the aisle, I am quietly and calmly arranging my fashion magazines in front of me, bag stowed.

IN THIS MASSIVE CARRY-ON “PURSE” I HAVE:

• All of my toiletries. A make-up bag full of 3oz bottles of cleanser, lotion, shampoo, conditioner.
• All of my makeup, with lipstick and powder stashed in smaller purse for easy access (see following), my SMALLER PURSE FOR DAY USE once I arrive at my destination, and of course
• my wallet
• phone
• laptop I can also fit in this wonderful, huge bag
• Several fat fashion magazines and
• a sweater!
• And a large soft scarf which is essential for coziness and comfort in such a small space! (Really a scarf is a MUST to ward off any chill coming from the ventilation system, and to hold up around your cheeks for comfort during turbulence, or to nap in. Or to lightly scent so you are totally surrounded in your own beautiful dream while flying, but not too much for the sake of your fellow passengers.)

If you must, you can also fit your athletic shoes in this bag. You could wrap them together so they don’t flop around separately and squash things. 
The smaller purse for day use I mentioned earlier is the purse you will carry throughout your trip. Choose only one, usually again a neutral, but this is an accessory, so a bright color or print or embellishment is appropriate. In this purse I have my wallet, phone, sunglasses, reading glasses, lipstick and powder handy for use. Also my boarding passes. 

So, you can see how much extra packing space you get with this “small personal item”! It's really like another entire suitcase, and if you keep it discreet, the stewardesses will never know! Remember to be a good passenger and load your carry-on suitcase into the overhead bin HANDLES IN, WHEELS OUT! 

Once aboard, I like to flip through fashion magazines and read articles. I like to order a drink and pretend I’m off to a fabulous photo shoot in London with Kate Moss. Or that I’m a journalist on her way to Milan to cover fashion week. Honestly, it makes flying fun, I’ll tell you! Properly packed, equipped, and with the right mental attitude (and of course that drink!) makes for a very enjoyable, relaxing, and fashionable time! 
So, ladies, start your vacation from the very beginning! Find a time alone where you can take out that pen and paper and start your list. Don’t panic, just pour some wine, put on a little music, and have fun with it! Your suitcase is your friend! Your valet! Enjoy the process of picking easy, pretty pieces and feel the satisfaction knowing you’re off to a great start!

BON VOYAGE!