Luggage haul

Struggle to be decisive when it comes to packing? Read on for some top tips

- BY JULIE DELAHAYE

We've all been there; you finish packing for a holiday, only to find that you end up having to sit on top of your suitcase, squishing it down and hoping it won't burst open at check-in.

After all, if you're away for a week it can feel impossible to decide which outfits you'll need, and therefore packing everything feels like the easiest solution. Well, according to fashion insiders there's actually a simple rule that could help you not only cut down how much you pack, but it could mean you pack up to 30 outfits without needing much space.

The experts at Joe Browns have recommended using the "5-4-3-2-1" method. The idea is that you stick to a simple formula - five tops, four bottoms, three pairs of shoes, two bags, and one destination-specific item.

For example, for a beach holiday you could pack:

Five tops: casual vests, lightweight blouses and a smarter top for dinner

Four bottoms: shorts, skirts and trousers