Nowadays, you don't have to do anything yourself anymore because there's a good address for everything. Eyebrow plucking, manicure, pedicure, applying false eyelashes, hair coloring, tailor, shoemaker, dry cleaner – you get the picture. But there are things that most people still really have to do themselves, namely: packing your suitcase. You better be good at it because a poorly packed suitcase means looking bad throughout your entire stay and that, we don't want. With trips to New York, London, and Paris on the horizon, I have quite a few suitcases to pack and the question is of course HOW I can do that best. Moreover, there is quite a bit of profit to be made with a well-packed suitcase, so tips and tricks are handy for everyone.

What makes packing so difficult is that there is something extremely unfriendly to women like a baggage limit and a maximum number of kilos. Such practical obstacles are of course hopelessly in the way when we want to strut around the streets of NY mega hip, but since there is still no sight of a PJ (Private Jet), we just have to deal with it. Packing therefore starts with thinking at home about what you will wear at your destination. It is a classic mistake to stand in front of your closet and just throw everything you like into your suitcase without a second thought, because then you will end up having panic situations and hysterical WHAT SHOULD I WEAR scenes in your hotel room and trust me, that is really not fun for anyone. So start thinking about outfits in time, keeping a close eye on the weather reports for your destination and don't forget to try everything on in front of the mirror. That may sound very exaggerated but it really saves half the trouble. Moreover, you can then think smartly about pieces that can easily translate from one look to another – a skirt with boots for daytime and the same skirt with pumps for the evening. Also handy, you see which must-haves are still missing and then you can either quickly grab those here or prepare yourself for a shopping session for that item. For example, I am still missing The Perfect Jeans and in New York, I would love to buy The Perfect Leather Jacket.

If you're going to tropical places with lots of beach lounging (read: wearing bikinis), you don't have to do as much prep work, but city trips require a more thorough approach. Make an outfit for each day and then one extra just in case, and also think about evening looks. Make sure that different items can be used in multiple outfits, otherwise, you will never get that suitcase closed. My ex-colleague at ELLE, Ilonka Leenheer, boasts that you can go anywhere with just 10 pieces in your suitcase. Think: jeans, LBD, white shirt, something new (nothing feels better than something that has never been worn before), a large scarf that can serve as a shawl/pareo/belt/headscarf, etc. Between us, I have never managed those 10 items. However, I discovered the joy of lightweight suitcases a while back, so you don't have to waste precious kilos on something as silly as a suitcase. I will also be going to New York with a suitcase that is so big that I could easily transport a Shetland pony + some hay bales in it and it still only weighs 2 kilos.

So, step 1: make time to think about outfits and try them on in front of the mirror. For the indecisive; make sure to take photos of your possible looks. Then step 2: the actual packing. The goal is to take as much clothing as possible (sorry Ilonka) in the limited space at hand. You start by rolling everything instead of folding it. Rolling also increases the chance of wrinkle-free clothing. Underwear, socks, and tights go in last and you stuff them into small leftover corners and, tiptiptip, into your shoes. Especially pumps and ankle boots benefit from being filled with clothing because then they won't get dented.

Toiletries are always the most treacherous. Just when you think you have everything for the bakery, a whole slew of creams, powders, shampoos, or whatever else needs to go in. The best thing is to buy as much as possible on-site, but that can only be done if you don't use very expensive products. Those who are stuck with gold shampoos and creams can choose to pour a little into those handy travel bottles (which I always do). Expensive creams almost always come in sachets and those are very travel-friendly. I use Estée Lauder and always stop by the Bijenkorf to grab a stack of those sachets for a trip. Even handier is to ask for a few samples when purchasing such an expensive bottle.

Good. Your outfits, thought out with military precision, are now tightly rolled in your suitcase, so the hardest part is behind you. Upon arrival in your hotel room, hang up the most wrinkle-prone pieces immediately. Found serious wrinkles and no iron in sight? Hang the garment on a hanger in the bathroom, turn the shower on to the hottest setting, close the bathroom door, and let it steam for a few minutes and voilà, no wrinkle in sight. Easy peasy hoppakee. By the way, Louis Vuitton, master of suitcases, has made delightful videos with practical packing tips. Anyone who asks Google for ‘The Art of Packing’ will hit the mark. So ladies and gentlemen, you know what you have to do. Thank you for flying with us.