THE countdown to your holiday has begun and from now until you leave for the sun, sand, sea and something really nice, your main priority is what to wear when you get there.

What you buy depends on where you are going, the type of holiday planned, e.g. a trip to a mountainous regions, the Far East or the beach.

Wherever it is, unless you are a pop star with a private jet or a movie queen with an entourage of luggage carriers, chances are you want to travel light.

Remember to allow plenty of space in your luggage for all those 'authentic' ornaments you simply must have and the gifts you know you will be bringing back.

The answer to travelling light is fewer holiday clothes. When I say fewer I don't actually mean fewer: simply buy clothes you know you will wear, and not the sort of outfit that might look nice under strobe lighting but doesn't really suit you and which you will bring back without taking the price tag off.

Lightweight trousers, capri pants (no jeans), T- shirts, a long-sleeved cotton shirt to keep you covered, camisoles, sarongs, one or two dining or clubbing dresses, a straw hat, strappy sandals, loafers for sightseeing. You might want a smart cardi, linen and pyjamas, bikinis, a swimming costume and underwear.

Now to the most essential - the packing.

Remember you are going on holiday and although the dress, trousers, shirt and silk top look nice, the last thing you want in your suitcase is an iron. You're going away for rest and recreation, not to do the laundry - so pack pretty.

Shoes and weighty objects first then put knickers, bikinis and other smalls into small plastic (lunch) bags and stuff them into your (or his) shoes, roll up trousers into a sausage shape and tuck then down the side of the case; put dresses and/or shirts in last and cover them with tissue paper or put them in a plastic bag.

Don't bother to take bottles of shampoo, buy sample-sized toiletries or leave it until you get there and throw away what you don't use - be extravagant, that's what holidays are about.

To be really extravagant and travel extra light, take a tote bag, toothbrush, knickers and toiletries and buy everything else when you get there.