Having a small set of minimal and basic clothing items in your wardrobe allows you to have an extremely large one. How is this so? Because of the ability to mix and match everything together. I just got back from a cruise vacation where I over packed. And by over-packed, I mean didn't even wear a third of what I brought. The sad thing is I knew this while I was packing, but there's always that "just in case" fear which made me include things I didn't need. Just recently, a wonderful friend of mine and I recounted our ten-day trip to Italy where we had the smallest of wardrobes in our tiny suitcases... and it was the best vacation ever! I never felt like I didn't have something creative to wear. I brought 4 tops, 5 shorts/skirt/pants, 1 dress, and mixed and matched those pieces for 10 days. Less is more. And those fewer items -- if they are basic and minimal but beautiful -- blend well with other coordinates of the same caliber. I'm sticking to my