I never break these 5 rules when packing for a vacation.

My husband and I travel a LOT. During the winter to escape the cold. And all over the world to experience different cultures. Over time, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to packing. These are my can’t-break rules!

CHOOSE WARDROBE PIECES THAT ARE VERSATILE AND WORK WITH EACH OTHER IN MANY DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS.

You really want to bring that top, but it onlly goes with one pair of pants? It’s a hard no. Only bring pieces that can be used in at least 2, if not 3, ways.

CREATE A COLOR STORY, INCLUDING JEWELRY.

To ensure that your outfits coordinate seamlessly, create a color story for your travel wardrobe. Choose a few base neutrals, such as black, navy, or beige, and then add in a few accent colors that complement each other. This will make it easier to mix and match your clothing items and accessories and ensure that everything works together harmoniously.

PACK LIGHT LAYERS, EVEN FOR A COOLER DESTINATION.

As a Minnesotan, I know well that multiple thin layers is warmer than one heavy one. And those thick pieces take up a whole lot more room in your suitcase. Even after following that rule, wear the bulkiest items on the plane.

What layers do you pack? 1. Base layer, 2. Middle layer, 3. Outer layer, 4. Bottoms, 5. Accessories.

And, when checking the weather for your destination, make sure to take the lows into account, as well as the highs. On a trip to Charleston and Savannah, we had temperatures as high as 75 and sunny, and as low as 40 with rain. That made for a challenging packing job—from short sleeve tops to a stocking cap went in the suitcase! Case in point, below is the weather for Scottsdale in the first two weeks of January on year.

CHOOSE WRINKLE-RESISTANT FABRICS AND BRING WRINKLE-RELEASE SPRAY.

To keep your clothing looking fresh and wrinkle-free throughout your trip, opt for fabrics that are known for their wrinkle-resistant properties. Quality knits, polyester, nylon, elastane/lycra, modal, and tencel are all excellent choices that are both comfortable to wear and easy to care for. Additionally, bring along a travel-sized bottle of wrinkle-release spray to quickly refresh any items that may become wrinkled during travel.

BRING NO MORE THAN 4 PAIRS OF SHOES, REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF TRIP. AND NO PUMPS!

Yes, you saw that right. Footwear is bulky. Even for a long trip, if you plan well, packing 3 pairs of shoes and wearing 1 on the plane is plenty. Choose styles that are versatile and comfortable for walking. Avoid packing bulky like chunky boots or impractical shoes like pumps, and instead opt for styles that can easily transition from day to night and work well with multiple outfits.

What’s my secret for perfect packing every time?

I USE MY CAPSULE WARDROBE PLANNING TOOL.

It saves an enormous amount of time to build your travel wardrobe first digitally. I have all my wardrobe items saved in an online closet. I pull items for my trip into my planner. It helps me visualize if all the pieces will work together. For longer vacations, I also create outfit boards to ensure I have enough combinations.

DOWNLOAD MY PLANNER HERE.