(Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

1. 1. Forget tops and pants (denim aside). Bring dresses instead. Commit to a monochromatic wardrobe. A sleeveless Diane Von Furstenberg black jersey is the best multitasker and rolls up very small. Pair it with a cropped jacket (AKA’s eyelet ones for spring are chic and tiny) if you need to look professional during the day, and go bare-shouldered at night.

2. 2. Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes: one pair of ballet flats (with skinny, tapered Fidelity Jeans for day or to dress down your DVF for a casual dinner) and one pair of stacked-heel platform sandals for trendy restaurants and clubs.

3. 3. Wear your workout sneakers on the plane; they’re usually the bulkiest thing to pack.

4. 4. Get Muji’s jersey-covered inflatable neck pillow.




5. 5. An MZ Wallace tote or messenger bag doubles as a carry-on and working bag. Comme des Garçons’ bright leather makeup bags make a good evening clutch.

6. 6. Don’t bring shampoo, conditioner, body wash, or body lotion—every hotel has these amenities. Ditto bulky gadgets like electricity converters or blow-dryers.

7. 7. Sleep naked. Hotels also supply bathrobes.




8. 8. Consolidate medications or vitamins by dispensing the right number of pills and dumping them all into a Ziploc bag.

Related:

• Archive: “The Everything Guide”
• Table of Contents: Mar 6, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!