Taking a trip? Don't take a vacation from high fashion.

I know I promised a how-to on planning a thrift store prom party in my last post, but I’ve decided to save that and my other costume party plans for the week of Halloween.

With Labor Day weekend having just been completed, whether you traveled to Las Vegas or just hit up Casino Arizona, it’s always important to know how to travel in style AND fit everything in your suitcase. With this end-of-summer getaway holiday just over, I figured this would be a good time to give you my tips.

Packing is most difficult if you do it minutes before you leave, so start piling things up at least one day beforehand. This will prevent you from forgetting obvious things like socks and underwear, unless of course, you’re going to a place where you won’t need one or both of those. Once you’ve got the essentials taken care of, you can focus on the stylish pieces that will carry your wardrobe from “camping with Uncle Joe” to “on a rendezvous with Justin Timberlake.”

Co-ordination is crucial to extraordinary vacation attire. Far too often people assume that comfort should triumph above the generally accepted fashion principles — this is not the case! Take along your favorite clothes, as well as those you want to be seen and photographed in. A picture is worth a thousand words, and that memory can last a lifetime, especially if it is posted on Facebook.com. You can be whomever you want on your trip, so mix and match pieces with accessories that will take your everyday apparel to a sultry “What happens here, stays here” look.

Failing to check the forecast is right up there with wearing socks with your sandals in terms of huge fashion mistakes. Indoor-to-outdoor and day-to-night temperatures will vary significantly; I recommend packing an outfit that will carry you through a cooler night but can still pass for both casual and evening wear. Also take into consideration the activities you’ll be partaking in on your trip; is a dinner jacket necessary for a planned lobster dinner or can you just pack a plaid shirt for cooking hotdogs over an open fire? Be sure to plan for any special situations that may come up on your trip; it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed (just don’t wear your dinner jacket to the campfire).

I am notorious for taking just one carry-on suitcase for a week-long trip. The best way to save space is to fold jeans and pants, but tightly roll T-shirts and tanks. Put your shoes in the bottom corners of bags and stuff them with said rolled-up tops. This will save space and also keep your shoes from losing their shape. My best-kept secret is to fold dresses, skirts and sweaters in pieces of tissue paper to prevent them from wrinkling. I refuse to iron while on vacation! Everything will probably be packed pretty tight, but stuff socks, underwear and swimsuits (once again, all optional) in the corners and pockets.

So those are the key steps to ensuring a fashionable weekend away. One more tip, now that the holiday is over: Forget the old adage; you can wear white shoes after Labor Day. Just make sure they are spotlessly clean.

— Hayley Umphrey