Pack a stylish suitcase

If you're jetting away on happy holidays this summer, don't ruin the relaxed mood by stressing about your packing. Whatever your destination, once you have your capsule holiday wardrobe sussed, it should see you through any occasion whether it's sandcastles on the beach or sangrias under the stars.

Avoid excess baggage charges with our top tips for a stylish getaway. We reveal what to take, and exactly how to pack it to fly away to your destination like a true fashionista.

Packing for a fashion-forward vacation doesn't mean stuffing every sun dress and pair of shoes you own into a case - unless you're Victoria Beckham or Naomi Campbell.

Here's some advice on must-have holiday items to pack:

Wrap up: It gets chilly flying at high altitudes. Remember to include a pashmina in your hand luggage, which can double-up as a beach top or evening shawl when you arrive.

Lovely linen: Ditch your hot and heavy denim. Opt for linen trousers, dresses or skirts instead to help keep you cool.

Day-to-night: Items which can be worn in the day or glammed up at night are essential for a capsule holiday wardrobe. Look for versatile maxi skirts that can be worn as beachwear cover-ups or a dress in the evening.

Towering wedges: Cork and cut-out wedges are versatile and lightweight. Perfect for both day and evening outfits.

Crease free: Crinkle-effect clothing is a great solution to the age-old problem of creases.

Packing know-how

Once you have your holiday wardrobe hit-list sussed, haphazardly cramming everything into your suitcase could undo all your hard work.

Who wants to walk around in crumpled, creased clothing, or worse still walk around in your birthday suit because all your clothes are covered in suntan oil? Avoid disasters when you unpack at your destination by packing like a professional.

• Roll your clothes instead of folding - it maximises space in your suitcase and prevents creases.

• Look fantastic in crease-free clothes by inserting a layer of tissue paper between clothes.

• Try rolling up a whole planned outfit together. Then you can pull out a roll of clothes each day and won't have to search through the suitcase - rummaging can wrinkle clothes.

• Pack most of your socks inside shoes, and your shoes inside socks.

• Avoid excess baggage charges. If you're going away with a group, work out who can take what. You don't need four hairdryers! If you're the same sizes you could even agree to swap clothes and shoes to double what you have to wear.

• Protect against spills by putting cosmetics and toiletries in resealable plastic bags. You'll know why if you've ever had an accident with an exploding shampoo bottle!