Pack Your Holiday Suitcase Smart: Take Less, Combine More

The end of that chaotic suitcase-filling session before every holiday can now come. Once you learn the '12 pieces, 7 days' formula that professional travel editors have used for years, you will never stuff your suitcase to the brim again.

Determine a color palette and stick to it. The easiest palette for a holiday suitcase: white-cream-beige-sand + 1 accent color (for example coral or sea blue). Every piece within these 5 colors complements each other.

Your 12-piece list: 3 tops (1 white shirt, 1 t-shirt, 1 thin camisole), 2 bottoms (1 white shorts, 1 linen trousers), 2 dresses (casual summer + lightly dressy), 1 swimwear, 1 beach cover-up/pareo, 1 light outerwear (linen jacket or kimono), 1 sportswear.

Shoes should never be more than 3: flat sandals + platform/wedge sandals + one sports shoe. Accessories tie all combinations together; a cord necklace, a small straw bag, and a pair of sunglasses complete the capsule.