Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

For a one-week trip, the most efficient strategy is the "5-4-3-2-1" packing rule, which covers all your needs without overstuffing your suitcase. This usually includes 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses (or layering pieces like a jacket), and 1 accessory set. By choosing a cohesive color palette where every top matches every bottom, you can create over 20 different outfit combinations from just these 15 items. For a standard 7-day vacation, this means you have a fresh look for every day plus several options for evening dinners or weather changes. If you are a "heavy sweater" or traveling to a very humid destination, you might increase the top count to 7 (one per day), but the key is to prioritize versatile fabrics like merino wool or technical linens that resist odors and wrinkles. Most travelers find that they actually only wear about 60% of what they pack, so leaning into this "capsule wardrobe" approach ensures you have enough outfits for the week while still being able to travel with just a carry-on bag.