with jeans or dressed up for dinner is a good example. Another practical piece is a denim shirt that can be worn as a shirt or light jacket, or over sleepwear as a robe. A different outfit for every day is a travel luxury; it's best to mix and match a few versatile pieces.

2. Plan everything around a basic color.
Choose medium to dark, neutral solid colors for your main wardrobe so each item will go with everything else. Add colorful accents – a red sweater, a denim shirt, a gold metallic top – to change mood and add variety.

3. Choose thin items over thick.
A turtleneck plus a cardigan sweater is warmer, more versatile and packs smaller than a sweatshirt or bulky sweater.

4. Pack fewer pieces if you will have access to laundry facilities.
Seven changes of underwear will work for two weeks with a stop at a coin-operated laundry halfway through the trip. Or invest in high-tech underwear made of comfortable wicking fibers that can be washed in your hotel room; it will dry overnight. Pack only three pair (one to wear, one to wash and a spare) and plan to do hand laundry.

5. Select simple, narrow and shorter pieces.
Cut down on bulky folds and save on space. These pieces also wrinkle less.

6. Take more tops than bottoms.
Every top should go with every bottom. Tops weigh