How to pack light: 10 tips for women traveling on a trip

3. CREATE A WHERE, WHAT, WHEN CHECKLIST Get practical. What are you planning to do during those days and nights? Are you staying with family, at an Airbnb, a cozy B&B or a resort? Is

this a super-casual barbecue, pool and beach thing, or more of an antiquing, restaurant and sightseeing trip? Check the weather app for your destination's forecast. If showers are

possible, make a superlight hooded utility jacket part of your travel outfit. Anticipate cool mornings and chilly air-conditioning with a sweatshirt. Add in must-haves like charger cords and

prescription meds, and the most-missed items women forget include a swimsuit (even if only for a dip in the hot tub) and a light oversize scarf that works as a wrap, pareo, pillow, blanket

or dress-up piece for a tee. Remember the goal is to take as little as possible, with maximum versatility as the plan. See tip number 5 for a perfect list. (Left to right) Toms Alpargata

Cupsole in in Natural Heritage Canvas; Gap Vintage Soft Cropped V-Neck Hoodie in Light Brown Tie Dye; Old Navy High-Waisted StretchTech Cargo Jogger Pants for Women in Chocolate Malted

Zappos; Gap; Old Navy 4. PICK A COMFY STYLISH TRAVEL OUTFIT Slim jeans, loafers and a blazer still make a great first impression (especially if traveling to a big city). But let's be

honest: You're on a summer vacation and you'll sitting in one place for a long time en route. You may love leggings, jeans, jumpsuits and maxi dresses, but they're not ideal

for travel — too tight, too voluminous, and too hard to walk in, run to the gate or deal with in the restroom! Instead, wear slip-on sneakers or closed-toe espadrilles, ankle pants with

stretch and a seasonal sweatshirt or jacket. This is your travel outfit, but the pieces work with all your packed items, too, to max out your options. (Left to right) Liz Claiborne

Women's Stretch 11" Bermuda Short in Flax; J.Crew Structured Boatneck T-Shirt in Khaki Navy Icon Stripe; Gap Tiered Midi Skirt in Desert Cactus Green JCPenney; J.Crew; Gap 5. PACK

12 PIECES OF CLOTHING TOTAL THAT MIX AND MATCH The items you pack depend on your trip and preferences, so adjust this list to get your ideal dozen but keep that magic number. A base of 

neutral colors is best, but don't just think black or navy. Lighter neutrals like khaki, tan, olive and light-wash denim add a warm sunny vibe — and so does white. Add a pop of bright

color in a dress or top. In addition to your travel outfit, pack: two bottoms (your combo of pants, jeans, pull-on skirts or shorts); two swimsuits; five tops (your combo of tanks and tees);

one day/night T-shirt dress (your preferred length); one loungey nightie that doubles as beach coverup; and one hoodie sweatshirt. (Clockwise from left) INNERSY Women's Underwear

Cotton Hipster Panties, Regular & Plus Size 6-Pack in Bright Basics; SNJ Women’s Lightweight EVA Comfort Sandals in Gold; Privé Revaux The Influencer; Scala Women’s Cotton Sunhat with

UPF50+ in Chino Green Amazon (2); Walmart; Privé Revaux 6. TAKE FEWER SHOES AND ACCESSORIES, MORE UNDERWEAR This is where we usually mess up. Estimate two pairs of underwear for each day (so

doing laundry isn't always on your mind), and take an extra bra besides the one you wear to travel. They're weightless and easy to stash. However, limit shoes and accessories. We

always take too many. Go “lite” here, too, and skip big clunky wedges or heavy sneakers. Figure on one pair of day/night sandals, one pool slide, one pair of light flat walkable shoes like

espadrilles, one pair of raffia or beaded statement earrings, one packable broadbrim sun hat and one pair of sunglasses. (Left to right) Ava & Viv Women's Plus-Size Short Sleeve

T-Shirt Dress in Pink; Hanes Women's Stretch Cotton Raglan Sleeve Tee in White; Ava & Viv Women's Plus Size Short Sleeve Knit Swing Dress in Blue Target (2); Amazon 7. PLAN FOR

PIECES THAT MULTITASK For packing light to be successful you need to get more creative about styling your clothes. In other words, make less do more. The best pieces easily pivot from day

to night, hot outdoors to chilly indoors, super casual to polished without looking over or under done. Just be picky about choosing your favorite neckline, sleeve length and hemline. White

tees like the 3/4 sleeve boatneck Hanes Women's Stretch Cotton Raglan Sleeve Tee in White ($7-22, amazon.com) or V-neck Hanes Women's Short Sleeve Nano-T V-Neck Tee in White ($14,

amazon.com, not pictured) brighten up everything and add inches to your neck and torso. T-shirt dresses like the midi Ava & Viv Women's Plus Size Short Sleeve Knit Swing Dress in

Blue ($20, target.com) or above-the-knee Ava & Viv Women's Plus-Size Short Sleeve T-Shirt Dress in Pink ($15, target.com) work with sneakers and a hoodie, sandals and statement

earrings or espadrille flats and a cropped denim jacket. Get the idea?