We all know how easy it is to get carried away when packing for a trip, and a quick poll of the HELLO! office found that most of end up using less than 50 per cent of our suitcase on holiday!So it's time to travel light and invest some time in preparing a capsule holiday wardrobe. By carefully selecting styles, you can maintain your fashionista status without the hassle of carrying around 20+ dresses.We enlisted the help of premium women's dress designer Ralph Lauren to bring you our top tips for a super stylish vacation without tipping the scales at the airport...Invest in a versatile shirt dressShirt dresses are a blessing on holiday. Not only are they lightweight enough to keep you cool in tropical temperatures, you can also dress them up or down depending on the occasion.
Ralph Lauren striped poplin lace-up dress, £87
Pack a floaty midi skirtAnother versatile summer wardrobe addition, a printed flowing midi skirt can be dressed down with an oversized tote and flat sandals, or glammed up with chunky block-heeled sandals and a sparkly clutch for nighttime glamour.
Topshop Floral Print Handkerchief Hem Skirt, £36
Mix and match your swimwearIf you're heading to a beach destination, you're likely to be spending at least some of your time by the pool or soaking up the sun on white sandy beaches. While you might be tempted to pack a swimsuit for each day you're away, instead get savvy with your swimwear - pack a small selection of block colour and printed bikinis — three or four will be enough for a seven-day break — and create your own look. For example, a black bikini will look great as it is, or you could wear the bottoms with a bold printed bikini top and vice versa.
New Look Black Colour Block Bikini Top, £16.99
Opt for a scarf sarongEvening jackets and cardigans will weigh down your suitcase - when travelling light, a floaty scarf should be your new best friend. In fact, you don't even need to pack it - simply wear it to travel in and you can use it as a blanket during your flight.When you arrive at your destination, the scarf can be used as a cover-up during beach days, and in the evening you can wear it around your shoulders if the temperatures start to cool.
Accessorize Ombre Sarong, £10
Shoes: The rule of threeNo matter how long you're away for, the rule of three still applies. This rule is based on the advice that you'll only ever need three pairs of shoes on holiday: a casual pair, a formal pair and a comfortable pair for excursions or days out. For a typical beach holiday, this could include a pair of casual sandals for during the day, a versatile heeled sandal for an evening and a pair of supportive espadrilles for exploration.