Get packing

Passports, check; tickets, check; sun cream, check; holiday capsule wardrobe ... hmm, this might need a little bit of attention.

What with all the stress and trauma involved with preparing to go away on holiday – organising your workload, the cattery, home security, money and all your travel and accommodation details – the planning of exactly what you are going to wear on your break can come as an after-thought, little more than a rummage through the wardrobe the weekend before departure, digging out ancient sarongs and kaftans, throwing them into a suitcase with a swimsuit and and a tatty old beach hat.

Yet having a well-planned and co-ordinated holiday wardrobe makes such a difference when you are actually there, in the sun, and saves time and money, reducing the need to splash out on resort-price swimwear and beach accessories.

Make sure you check through your existing holiday wardrobe at least two weeks before you are due to set off. Try on your swimwear and also, over it, all your other beach items such as kaftan, cropped trousers, and your sandals. Chuck out anything that fits badly or looks old-fashioned or past its best.

Then put your saved items into your suitcase, to see how much room they take up.

Make a list of what you need to buy and identify a potential colour scheme. If you need a new swimsuit, this can be your starting point. Ideally, take two swimsuits or a swimsuit and a bikini, one plain and one patterned.

Aztec prints are big this summer and are often in black and white, which makes them easy to co-ordinate, expecially with zingy brights such as orange and lime and rich blue, colours to think of not just for clothes, but also for nails and jewellery.

It’s a good idea to think in pairs of item, keeping to the “one plain, one patterned” rule, thinking of your chosen colour and print themes. So, far example, basic colour scheme of black and white, metallics and zingy brights, patterns including Aztec/tribal and tropical florals. Have a plain and a pattern of each item.

For a two-week holiday, you will need: Two swimsuits/bikinis; two kaftans, one long, one shorter; two pairs of trousers, perhaps linen, one pair cropped; three dresses – one maxi, one beach style, one dressy dress; two short-sleeve T-shirts; two vests; two long-sleeve shirts; two dressy tops; two pairs of shorts or skirts (one long wrap skirt and one short cotton beach skirt ideal); two pair sandals (flats and wedges ideal); two wraps/pareos/sarongs; hat; underwear; jewellery and nail polish to match in; pair of socks for nippy nights; sleepwear; make-up; skincare; hair products; sun cream and after-sun cream.

Avoid heavy fabrics for all items and fold, then roll clothes, where possible.

And now, you’re good to go.

Twitter: @yorkshirefashQ