Looking great for a week in France is easy to do with just a carry on. With some planning and good shopping instinct, you can skip the baggage claim and head right to having fun!
Step One
Look at your itinerary. Where are you going? What's the weather going to be like? What activities will you be doing? These are the three questions you must answer before you even open your closet.
Step Two
Access your inventory. Romantic getaways call for dresses. A black jersey knit dress is an entire outfit that can roll up to the size of toilet paper roll. Sexy, practical, and can be dressed down two days later with flats and a cardigan during the day. Thin tee shirts, linen trousers--nothing too bulky or puffy. (If you're skiing in Canada none of this will work. See my Packing for Skiing article due out in January.)
Step Three
Black or brown: pick one. Selecting only black or brown shoes and accessories with pare down your palette and force you not to overpack. Plus everything will go with everything. I do brown in warm climates and black in cool climates or France. (Bring lots of black for France.)
Step Four
Everything you bring should be worn twice. You can hand wash tee shirts and underwear, and the rest can be sent out for pressing or cleaning.
Step Five
Leave out an outfit so you are forced to buy something at your destination. Nothing makes a better souvenir than an outfit bought for your trip, on your trip!
Overall Tips & Warnings
Buy clothing during your trip, not beforehand
If you must, wear the things that take up the most room (big boots, thick sweaters)
Roll everything!
Wear everything twice or don't bring it.
Pack button downs and trousers in dry cleaner bags for less wrinkling.
Invest in spacebags if you are a major clothes person.
Don't bring a blow dryer or iron-- most hotels will have these. Check first.
Don't overdo shoes---they're huge real estate in your suitcase. Flats, heels, gym shoes and flip flops if you have room. That's all. Really.
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