Packing is always a nightmare for me. Crazy, I know, because I do it so often–but it never seems to get any easier.

Some people are very organized, but not me. I take out all my clothes and lay them on my living room floor. Sometimes I stand there for days, just looking at them but then I walk away (meanwhile, the living room looks like WW III). It’s not until the last minute that I actually put things into suitcases because, well, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have any clothes to wear. Each time, I tell myself I’ll pack less, but of course I always want to be prepared for any situation, so every garment is carefully considered. In the end, I take everything!

That said, I’ve gotten it down to these basic steps:

1) Day or night during the Paris Couture, everyone’s very dressed up, with the right clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry. That means packing all your favorites, the things you rely on to make you look and feel your best.

2) Believe it or not, you may want to change clothes for every show. It’s good form to wear something by the designer whose show you’re attending–think of it as paying homage to la maison.

3) Plan your outfits (I lay mine out on the floor). Pack everything you think you might need. I don’t know what the weather will be like, I don’t know how I’ll feel and I like having most of the contents of my closet with me.

4) You’ll need changes of clothes for each day, but also outfits for Paris nightlife–cocktail parties, late dinners, club-hopping.

5) I’ve given up on hard-sided designer luggage. Soft canvas suitcases are easier, lighter and hold much more. I travel with at least five.

6) I get plastic from my dry cleaner, and use it to layer and wrap individual garments. This really cuts down on wrinkles.

7) Each pair of shoes (I take at least 20) is packed first in a soft pouch, and then in one big suitcase. You can never have too many shoes!

8) Don’t forget your workout gear. I take bathing suits so I can use the hotel pool.

9) Many people plan vacations or side trips after the Couture, which require different wardrobes. This year, I’m going to Capri, so I need plenty of casual (but still chic) summer clothes.

10) Last but not least–it’s impossible to visit Paris and not go shopping, so always leave room for purchases!

Whew! Well, now I’m packed and off to Paris!