Pack, pack and away!
Don't let dodgy packing ruin your sojourn in the sun, follow the forward glamour guide to packing with panache!

To many, the process of filling a suitcase in preparation for going on holiday has become an arduous task, dreaded and left until the very last minute. After all, what use is that gorgeous new top when it's stuffed in a crumby holdall three days before you leave?

The sheer horror of having all of one's decent clothes stashed away for departure means that we often forget the true significance of packing - it forms the very foundations of our holidays. No matter how luxurious your destination, whatever gets crammed into the case during those last adrenaline-fuelled minutes is what you'll be living off for the next two weeks. Iffy packing means an iffy holiday.

The Basics
To begin with, make sure that whatever receptacle you plan to fill is well and truly up to the task. While forward glamour does indeed thrive on shock value, the realisation that one's underwear has been scattered across baggage reclaim in terminal 2 after a small structural failure is not desirable.

To fold, or not to fold?
Many argue that today's baggage man-handling makes crease-avoidance techniques pointless. True this may be, but to maximise what little space there is, we encourage a little casual folding. And let's face it, you don't want to look like a dishevelled donkey with matted hair and crumpled clothes. Should folding not tickle your fancy, another top tip is rolling - perhaps around that bottle of Martini?

Get it all out
It's no use flinging open the wardrobe doors and picking out what you think you'll want to wear, garment by garment. Instead, chuck the whole lot onto your bed, step back, and have a good look - it'll be much easier to find potential options when you can see all you have to work with in front of you.

Too much, or not enough?
With only around 20kg of baggage weight to work with, you've got to be ruthless - don't pack anything that's obviously unnecessary. Having said that, be careful not to be too frugal - after all, it is your holiday and you'll want to look fabulous at all times. You don't spend an average week of the year in the same clothes, so why should you on holiday? None of this hideous day-night sarong and swimsuit business.

Flash floods
Use a trusty Waitrose carrier (or any other hole-less variety) to wrap around your wash bag. Should the ol' shampoo pop open mid-flight, you can rest assured that your clothes will come out unscathed. Chic it is not, a good idea it is.

Hand baggage
Of course, with airports now offering so many shopping opportunities, you'd be well advised to keep hands free for duty free! Don't forget, however, that once you're strapped in to your aircraft seat, a good book and a few of your favourite product 'minis' will be indispensable.

And a  few necessities...

Insect repellent.
We'd kill the buggers if we could - this is the next best thing.

Sunglasses.
Obvious, but often the most obvious things are left behind. You don't want to be struggling with only one pair of underwear either. Do make sure you use your brain!

Sun cream.
Slather it on unless you're aiming for the cranberry look and skin cancer.

Camera.
Think of the endless photo-shoot possibilities!