Some of us habitually overpack for even the shortest trip. You know who you are: You bring two extra shirts "just in case" or a different pair of shoes for each outfit--and you feel powerless to stop. If you're planning a casual three-day weekend at the beach-- where your main agenda will consist of swimming, sunning, and relaxed dining--you probably need to bring less than you think.

Presumably, you'll wear a casual outfit to travel to the beach. You may or may not want to rewear your traveling shirt on the way home, but you can recycle your pants, skirt, or shorts. The key to packing light is to ensure that every top can be worn with every bottom. This means that you'll need to pack only:

• Three casual tops--two if you're going to wear the shirt you traveled in again.
• One pair of pants or capris.
• A pair of shorts. If you don't wear shorts, bring an additional pair of pants or capris, or one summery skirt, if you're planning, say, a nice dinner out. Or you can bring a comfortable sundress, one that lets breezes flow through.
• One lightweight cardigan or cropped jacket, unless you're never cold in the summer.
• Two swimsuits, so you'll always have a dry one.
• A swimsuit cover-up that looks good with both.
• A pair of flip-flops or sandals for the beach. If you want to pack super-light, travel in a pair of comfortable sandals that matches your entire weekend wardrobe so you won't have to pack shoes at all.
• A crushable hat, if you're susceptible to sunburn.
• A big beach towel.

More pointers:

• Don't pack an extra purse. Pick a big bag--straw is always good--and wear it with everything. Use it as a beach bag.
• Roll all of your packed clothing. If you're concerned that an item will wrinkle and be unwearable, don't bring it.
• Don't forget how windy beaches can be. You may want to slip some hair accessories--a headband, a ponytail holder, a large barrette--into your purse/beach bag.
• You definitely don't want your sunscreen to leak all over everything else in your bag. Seal it in a zippered plastic bag.

When you're walking on the beach or the boardwalk or sitting poolside under an umbrella, you'll probably want a swimsuit coverup that shields your skin from the sun and provides a little modesty. Instead of throwing on a tank top and a pair of old shorts or a big, gauzy caftan, try one of the following options:

• A sarong or pareo that matches, or at least complements, your swimsuit. A printed cotton sarong, worn as a skirt, fits right in with this season's bohemian look. Sarongs add tropical flair to a bikini. If you opt for a one-piece suit with a matching sarong, you'll look like you're wearing a long, slim dress-- which can make you appear taller and thinner. Pareos are usually larger pieces of material and can be worn as dresses, wrapped in various ways around the upper body.
• For more coverage, try a lightweight tunic with long or three-quarter sleeves. Bonus: Tunics look great with jeans, too.
• If your suit is a sporty-looking two-piece, you can opt for a pair of board shorts (the puka shell necklace and surfboard are optional).
• In a pinch, you can throw on a pair of loose- fitting yoga pants if you're wearing a bikini or tankini-- but make 'em white, bright, or pastel--no sense smothering yourself in black on the beach!

We have entered Wedding Season, and for those of us who are of a certain age or have a large family or wide circle of friends, this means that at some point in the next couple of months, we'll be expected to dress up for that friend or relative's trip down the aisle. Some of us have a summer suit or dress we think of as our Wedding Outfit, and that's okay--if the Wedding Outfit is still flattering, age- appropriate, and occasion-appropriate. But if you're thinking of acquiring something new for this season's nuptials, consider these suggestions.

• Summer 2005 is the season of the full-skirted sundress. Delicate, romantic florals and cheerful polka dots are tops. In silk or very fine, light cotton, these prints are dressy enough for a daytime wedding. Look for dresses that fall slightly below the knee. A fitted bodice with a slightly raised waist will emphasize your torso and make your legs look longer. If you love feminine touches like ruffles and bows, you're in luck this year. If not, simpler styles abound, too.
• A strappy dress is great for evening as well, but you'll want a more formal fabric, maybe a solid silk chiffon, satin, or raw silk (which also works for daytime). Any length from knee to floor goes.
• If you're wearing a sleeveless dress, day or night, you may for reasons of modesty or comfort in varying temperatures want to take along some kind of coverup. For daytime, slip into a light silk bolero or cardigan with short or three-quarter sleeves; for a touch of drama in the evening, try a sequin-trimmed, jewel-neck jacket that complements your dress, or drape a big embroidered shawl around your shoulders.
• You've probably noticed that beading, sequins, and embroidered embellishments are everywhere this season. Don't make the mistake of thinking that a casual cotton sundress with beaded trim is dressy enough for a semi-formal or formal wedding. Instead, look for dresses or suits that would be formal enough for the occasion even if they did not have glittering trim.
• No color is off-limits for wedding-guest attire, except solid white--unless the wedding is casual.
• Necklines can make or break a dress. Halter styles are very flattering: They create the illusion of a smaller waist by making your shoulders appear broader. V-necks work well on most women, and open sweetheart or portrait styles will make your neck look longer and are subtly sexy without being too revealing.

No matter how many times the fashion magazines tell us that peekaboo bra straps are cute if they're decorative, most of us would rather conceal them, especially when we're dressing for a special occasion like a wedding. In the summer, when so many occasion dresses have thin straps or none at all, hiding your bra can be a challenge. If you can get away with it, choose a dress with built-in support so you can skip the bra. If you must wear one, here are some guidelines to follow:

• Buy your dress before you buy a bra, and take it with you, if possible, when you go bra shopping. If you find a comfortable (or relatively comfortable) bra that is seemingly well concealed by the dress, remember that you'll be moving at the event you're attending. Tug at the dress. Lift and wave your arms. Dance a little. Does the bra show? If so, keep searching.
• Low-cut demi bras are good for wide, deep necklines. Look for ones with very wide-set straps.
• Strapless bras can slip and may be uncomfortable, so approach with caution. You may be better off in a bandeau style, either unstructured or with underwire for support, than in the typical strapless bra with molded or padded cups.
• Choose a bra with smooth, seamless cups if possible, even if your dress isn't clingy or made of thin material. It'll look sleeker, regardless, and can be worn after the occasion under fitted tops.
• Seamless is the way to go with panties, too. Panty lines won't be a problem with stretchy microfiber or cotton "boy shorts" (and they're more comfortable than thongs).
• Planning to wear a shaping garment that'll hold in your stomach, butt, and thighs? Summer may not be the right time. All that tight nylon can get very hot and itchy. Better to start off with a flattering dress that doesn't cling to areas you consider problem zones. Full skirts are huge right now and can be very forgiving--and are so romantic for a wedding.

If you've been clothes shopping recently, you've probably noticed that color--brights and jewel tones, especially--is in in a big way this summer. Intense pinks, greens, blues, and yellows are everywhere--and just right for sunny summer days. "But I don't wear colors," you might be thinking. "For summer, I like beige, white, and brown." The time has come to shake things up a bit. You can still wear your old favorites. Just jazz them up a bit by pairing them with something--a top, scarf, beaded necklace, pair of pants, skirt, or shoes- -in a lively tone or pattern.

What if you like a certain shade, but you don't think it suits your own coloring? Pick up a piece of jewelry, sash, or pair of sandals in that color. You can wear any color if you wear it away from your face and hair.

Let's say you're wearing a white blouse, skirt, or pants. Now pair it with two accent colors:

• Warm yellow and peach
• Dark lime and deep turquoise (Try a turquoise necklace or bracelet.)
• Cobalt blue or cool navy and light turquoise

What if you've chosen a beige or brown jacket or pants? Brighten up:

• Warm beige (khaki with a yellowish undertone) with warm light brown or Wedgwood (the color of faded denim) blue
• Cool grayish beige with deep lavender, dark blue- gray, periwinkle, or aqua green (choose one or more)

Gray doesn't have to be dull. Try one of these combos:

• Light cool gray with bright lemon yellow, deep lavender, or light sea green (choose one or more)
• Dark blue-gray with deep purple or dark fuchsia

What if you'd like to wear two or more "real" colors at once? These hues harmonize:

• Pale warm yellow and aqua blue or light mango orange
• Pink coral/watermelon pink and apple green or warm apricot