Summer is zipping by and I'm sure many of you are getting ready for that last getaway before Labor Day. You're looking forward to resting and relaxing and kicking back, but somehow, on the morning of departure, you find yourself wrestling with a suitcase that weighs more than you do. And then, once you arrive at your destination, you realize that you brought a) too much stuff, and b) all the wrong things.

I hate it when that happens.

When you're getting organized for a vacation, think small. You don't need to take EVERYTHING in your closet; instead, take a few things that will really work. Start with a simple, neutral color scheme and pack pieces that you can mix and match. If all the tops go with all the bottoms, you can get more outfits from fewer things. Black and white is always chic, and you can toss in a couple of bright colored pieces (tanks or tees or a bag) to brighten things up.

Think about laying everything out on the bed before you start stuffing the suitcase; take a good look at what you've got. Make sure you have the following:

Plenty of underwear. Undies are easy to pack (stuff them in your shoes or in those random corners of the suitcase where nothing else fits), but laundry is a hassle. Come prepared and you won't spend your holiday loading the washer.

At least one pretty skirt. Even if you only wear it with a tank top for dinner at the condo, it's nice to have something a little spiffier than your shorts. But pack something machine washable; that way, if you spill, you don't have to track down a dry cleaner.

A swimsuit cover up that you don't mind being seen in. If your vacation will include swimming, it's a good idea to have something to put on OVER your suit. And if that something is nice enough that you can go for lunch or drinks in it, so much the better.

Or, even better . . . Think about bringing a simple sun dress that can double as a swimsuit cover up. Two birds with one stone! Huzzah!

Two swimsuits, minimum. Again, if your vacation will include lots of sun and swimming, having a second swimsuit pretty much guarantees that you won't have to put on a wet top first thing in the morning.

Clothes you will actually WEAR. If you're going to be outdoors most of the time, bring clothes that you can go outside in. If your destination is hot, bring clothes you will be cool in. By the same token, if your vacation will be spent primarily inside (shopping or museum hopping, for example) toss in a light sweater or jacket, just in case. Resist the urge to pack for ANY eventuality. If you have pieces you can layer, you can withstand whatever the weather throws you. And unless you KNOW you will be going somewhere really dressy, don't take anything really dressy.

No more than three pairs of shoes. I have to admit that this one is always a struggle for me, but it's worth the effort. Shoes are difficult to pack and take up a lot of room in the suitcase. Think about one pair of walking shoes, a pair of flip flops for the beach or pool (but not those cheap rubber ones; find a pair that you could ALSO wear with your shorts please), and a pair of pretty sandals or flats for lunch or dinner out. Make sure all three pair are shoes you can walk in without blisters. If you are flying, wear the heaviest shoes on the plane. And yes, this probably means you're wearing your walking shoes, but honestly, it's safer and more practical than wearing those cute sandals all day. Really.

As little jewelry as possible. Chose maybe one or two signature pieces--earrings or a necklace or bracelet that go with everything--and take only those things. This cuts down on the chance that you will lose anything, which is always a hassle. Wear your jewelry when you travel, but skip anything that will trip the metal detectors in the airport. Think twice about taking any jewelry that would be a tragedy to lose. Things go missing on vacation; don't let that thing be your grandmother's diamond watch.

Once you've got the bare minimum together, add the following:

Hat, for the pool or beach or just to keep your hair under wraps. Look for something that you can fold up and put in your suitcase; I'm partial to a baseball cap, but a great cotton bucket hat will also work. A scarf is another option, although it won't shade your face (I'm big on shading the face).

Sunglasses. Who needs makeup when you have cool sunglasses? Look for a pair with UVA protection, for all your outdoor fun. Add some lip gloss and you'll look like a movie star.

Finally, if you are flying to your vacation destination, wear something on the plane that you wouldn't mind spending a couple of days in (just in case) and tuck the following in your carry-on bag:

Extra underwear. If your luggage goes missing, you will be glad you've got it.

Toothbrush and toothpaste. Travel breath is NOT sexy.

Prescription medication, in the labeled bottles from the pharmacy. It's also not sexy to miss your next dose of whatever it is you're taking.

Vacationing shouldn't be about standing in front of a steamer trunk-sized suitcase wondering what outfit to wear; it should be about tossing on something comfortable and pretty and enjoying a break from your routine. Plan ahead and pack minimally and you can do just that.

Want an ACTUAL checklist? StylePhyle has a great one; it's specifically for a "tropical" vacation, but it will work for any beach-type getaway. And if you're taking the whole damn family with you on your vacation, FlyLady has the mother of all packing and vacation prep lists. Of course.

Susan Wagner writes about fashion at Friday Style and everything else at Friday Playdate. She has sworn a solemn oath to bring NO MORE THAN THREE pairs of shoes to BlogHer. She will most certainly break this oath.

Related Posts:

• Taking your Mommy Wardrobe on the road
• But it's on SALE!
• Nothing to wear? Shop your closet

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