Overpackers, Beware! Tips To Reach Super Suitcase Status

Hit the road ready for anything with our ultimate packing guide.

- Jessica D'Argenio Waller

The tickets are booked, school’s out and your dream destination awaits. There’s just one little thing standing between you and your summer vacay: an empty suitcase. Whether you love packing or loathe it, it’s key to stash your stuff smartly so you get maximum style out of minimum baggage. Our travel-savvy experts offer up their advice for packing right—plus ways to look amazing no matter where the road leads. Bon voyage!

Think ahead

Want to be the perfect packer? Don’t procrastinate—plan!

WEATHER OR NOT, HERE YOU COME.Wherever you’re roaming, check the forecast before you pack—you don’t want to assume it’ll be balmy at the beach and arrive to unseasonably cool temps. “Hope for the best, but plan for all scenarios,” says jet-setter and blogger Rachel Greenberg. “I never go anywhere without a bikini, but I always toss in my foldable raincoat if the outlook even mentions clouds.”

GET LISTED. Lesley Grosvenor and Katie Fenton, wardrobe consultants and co-owners of clothesupstyle.com, say making a list of everything you’ll need on vacation is a must, from bathing suits to cover-ups to juicy beach reads (see the sidebar to find the perfect bag for your stash). Then, start checking it off!

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS. Become your own stylist. Rachel tells us she creates a “style schedule” that maps out each outfit for day and night with a couple backups. “It cuts down on excess options,” she promises. Extra credit: Snap photos of yourself in different outfits and store ’em on your phone. You’ll easily be able to recreate them when you’re on the road.

BRING IT

What to take…and what to leave behind? Three ways to choose wisely.