• Stick to the basics when packing clothes and other essentials.luggage in hotel room image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  Real Simple magazine's Kris Connell recommends that when packing you gather everything you think you want to take and then put half of it back. The plain reason, Connell says, is that the average suitcase will hold only a limited quantity. Anne McAlpin, author of "Pack it Up: The Essential Guide to Organized Travel," states that the more practice you get at packing, the better you will become at it. Experts recommend some basic packing tips for less stress when traveling.
  
  

Clothing

• Choose wrinkle-free clothes, such as knits, wools and some cottons. Pack pieces from the same color family that you can mix-and-match, so you don't have to pack as much.
  
  

Garments

• Roll up soft garments, such as underwear, T-shirts and wrinkle-free items, and place them in the bottom of the suitcase. Put long skirts and pants on top of rolled items but do not fold them --- let the skirt bottom or pant legs hang over the edge of the suitcase. Place shirts with collars in next and fold the skirt or pants over everything to create a container of sorts to hold everything in place. Tuck a plastic dry cleaner's bag or a garbage bag over everything to decrease the possibility of wrinkles. Tuck belts around the edges.
  
  

Shoes

• Pack your socks or hoisery inside your shoes and place your shoes in gallon-size plastic bags, newspaper bags or submarine sandwich bags to protect your clothing. Tuck the shoes in the pocket of the suitcase or around the edges.
  
  

Small Items

• Pack small items, such as cell phone chargers and toiletries, in clear plastic bags so they won't get lost. Place a sock over your hairbrush to keep from snagging clothing.
  
  

Other Essentials

• Pack everything else you may need, such as medication, comfort items, snacks, water or pens and paper, in a large plastic sealing bag. Keep the bag in your purse or carry-on bag if you fly on an airplane.