Do you travel with a walk-in suitcase or are you the type who flings in a few odds and ends into a tiny rucksack and takes off into the blue yonder? There’s a special art to holiday packing and it’s good to think strategically and follow a few rules.

KING OF THE ROADS

If you are off on a road holiday, there’s an obvious constraint to guide your packing — the number of suitcases or bags you can fit in the car. Think easy-care, non-fussy clothes (georgettes or cotton mixed with Lycra which doesn’t crush easily). “Put on your casual t-shirt and jeans and take one dressy piece, though not a beaded gown (for dinner at a swish place),” says fashion designer Namrata Joshipura.

“Carry one pair of formal trousers, a pair of casual trousers (could be jeans, slacks or capri), tops which you can slip on with skirts or jeans, and two shirts,” says designer Anjana Bharghav. It’s usually a good idea to carry raincoats and an umbrella — unless you’re travelling in the Sahara or somewhere similar.

BEACH BUM

If you are hitting the beaches, Joshipura tells her clients to bring out their bikinis (or swimsuits) along with floral printed kaftans and thin voile sarongs to tie over their bathing suits. The sarong could also be paired with a tank top or wrapped up as a dress or skirt. For inveterate traveller Kalyani Chawla, director (press relations and communications), Christian Dior, shorts, t-shirts and a lot of white linen pants, wrap skirts and flat sandals make for ideal beach wear. “It’s fun to have some chunky pieces around the neck and bandanas to keep messy hair. Baseball caps are a must,” she says. Walk out in the evenings wearing your layered cotton skirt and spaghetti top or boob tube. “Men can get into their Bermudas and bush shirts,” says Bharghav.

RUSH OF ADVENTURE

For holidays with the adrenalin rush, look to new-age fabrics like neoprene, polyamide, canvases, denims and gabardines for carefree travel. “Adventure sports gears improve your performance levels whether you are hiking, mountaineering, river rafting, horse riding or surfing. Wear clothes with several pockets and close-fitting silhouettes that are both comfortable and trendy,” says newbie fashion designer Amit GT. To cut out the rain, carry a poncho for a cover-up of your body and belongings. Don’t forget to pack gloves and scarf or even a bandana. “If you are going bungee jumping or trekking, wear well-fitted body hugging suits in Lycra that zip up all the way,” says Bharghav.

JUST CHILL

If you are bound for the hill station, think in terms of layered clothing. Remember to carry tights, cotton or wool stockings, a parka, shawls and scarves. Wool works best with cotton underneath. You may carry full-sleeved cotton t-shirts and top that with a woollen pullover,” says fashion designer Rina Dhaka.

You might also consider jeans as a staple, track or sweat pants, mufflers and overcoat. “Women should pack a wrinkle-free dress for their formal evenings and team it with a woollen jacket,” says Joshipura. The accent is on casual clothes so men can put on their cargo pants, polo-neck pullovers (works for women too), casual slacks and sweat shirts,” suggests Bharghav.

Once you have short listed what to pack, get set for a stylish and hassle-free vacation.