....pack lightly

Of course it depends whether it's a warm or cold climate trip, but the premis remains the same: Take as little as possible and buy anything else you need.
Here are some of the rules I pack by -
1. Take only nylon or poly underwear, it's easy to wash in a hotel room and will dry overnight. Cotton NEVER dries overnight. If you want a cotton gusset, use a Carefree Barely There Pantyshield.
2. Keep your colour palette to two, and accessorise in a highlight colour: Black/white, navy/white, black/ grey, navy/camel are all good travelling colours and highlight with a colour that goes with both whether it's red, orange, lime or whatever....
3. Take t-shirts and singlets that have given you good wear at home, that you can abandon rather than wash. And, either replace them on shopping expeditions while away or when you return home. Same goes for socks, thongs, ballet flats etc
4. Always take one great dress that can be dressed up or down. You just never know who you'll meet and where they'll take you. Depending on where it is you're going, either take heels or use your destination as an opportunity to shop.
5. One pair of comfortable shoes that you can live in while away. If you're at a holiday resort, this is probably a pair of thongs or sandals and then you might just take sneakers so you have the option of hitting the gym or playing tennis. If you're travelling around, these might be walking shoes such as loafers, ballet flats or low-heeled boots. Something that can be dressed up or down. 6. Toiletries and cosmetics are really heavy, so only take what you need. And, try and time it so you're taking the last half of the tube of toothpaste, not a new one - it's twice as heavy.
7. Always have your hair cut and coloured, so that it looks good when you wash and go. And, have a wax - eliminating the need to take razors.

It's all simple stuff really, but just remember that you alone are carrying your bag. And, you might think it's just from the baggage carousel to the trolley which you'll then wheel to a cab. But more and more airports require you to place money in the trolley so by the time you've got change, the queue at customs is an hour longer....