Taking a summer vacation is relaxing—but packing for one is anything but. For about a week before I even step on the plane for a big getaway, I am tormented by thoughts of organizing my suitcase. What shoes do I bring? How many pairs of pants is too many? And what about bathing suits? What if I forget something crucial? I (often) overpack as a result, inevitably bringing 20 pairs of socks for a six-day trip. (Just me?)

But this past month, when I embarked on a much-needed trip to Barcelona and Mallorca, I challenged myself to rethink my hoarder tendencies. Could I pack only the essentials for Spain, and still look cute and Instagram fit-pic-worthy? It was worth a try.

The key to a successful vacation wardrobe, I soon learned, is zeroing in on staples that can be mix and matched with

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