10 essentials to pack for holiday

Packing is the one ball ache that comes with going on holiday. You can spend hours shoehorning half your wardrobe into your suitcase still to find nothing you actually want to wear when you arrive.

So how do you take the stress out? This is the one time of year that it pays to be obsessive about clothes - we're talking lists and planning. This won't make me popular, but here it is - I actually really love packing; in fact I'm positively geeky about it. I do always leave it until the last minute, but it's the one thing I'm organised about. It makes me feel excited about the promise of a holiday and I love being able to wear my favourite pieces without worrying about if they're weather or office appropriate.

This is what you'll need, in a nutshell:

• Summery dresses, plus a fancy slip dress for the eve
• Flat shoes (bring a couple of pairs of summer sandals)
• Espadrilles
• Denim shorts
• A basket bag
• A slogan sunhat (they're big RN, fyi)
• Sunglasses
• A playsuit
• A few of your favourite bikinis
• A swimsuit if you fancy switching it up
• Clutch bag

We've also got some top tips on how to take the stress out of packing...

I know it takes the spontaneity out of things, but there's no point in packing your favourite top if you don't bring anything to go with it. Planning outfits also means less time in your hotel room/Airbnb working out what to wear, more time on the beach sipping cocktails. It'll also help you see that you probably don't need to pack a different pair of shoes for each day you're away - two pairs will do.

This is your holiday ladies, leave the hard work shoes at home. Bring a pair of wedges if you really can't bear to wear flats all week, but even those don't fare well on cobbled streets and beaches.

When you see magazine features on how the fashion set pack, everything is neatly folded. This looks lovely on a page, but in reality will ensure that all your clothes are as creased as Keith Richards' forehead. Roll your clothes to maximize space and to minimise creasing issues.

As a rule of thumb, it pays to underpack, but when it comes to swimwear - pack at least two different styles. It's the one piece you'll spend most of your day in. You want to mix up your tan lines and, you know, variety is the spice of life and all that.

I've never been a fan of the kaftan - it always feels a little too Sloane-y for me. Instead, go for a denim shirt - great for the flight and it works well as a beach cover-up.

Take a relaxed, loose style to wear during the day and a party dress because you never know where the night will take you. Dresses are easy to pack andf don't require any extra thought.

This is the not the time to consider bringing that skirt you bought six months ago, but haven't worn yet. Pack your trustiest best loved wardrobe pieces. You want to feel at your happiest and most comfortable.