This week, we’re soaking up the last bits of summer. But just because the season is winding down doesn’t mean there isn’t a beach getaway in your future – after all, the Caribbean is only a quick flight away. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our best tips for how to pack light and make a trip to the beach easy on your back (and, with more and more airlines charging for checked bags, your wallet).

On my way out of town, I had to stop at a friend’s place with my suitcase in tow. I apologized for the bag, promising to have it out of the way in a moment.

“I thought you were going away for a week,” she said, confused.

When I told her I was, the surprise in her eyes caught me off guard. I always knew I was a light packer, but was it really so surprising to need only one carry-on sized suitcase for a week at the beach? She assured me it was.

So, with that in mind, I’ve put together a list of what I brought to the beach, what I probably shouldn’t have brought, what I wish I’d remembered to bring, and what I’m definitely glad I left behind.

What made the cut

Bathing suits and clothes, obviously! I brought two suits, so I can wear one while the other is drying after a dip in the Atlantic. Two pairs of shorts, a skirt, three sundresses (that may have been overkill, but I was picking two up on the above-mentioned stop at a friend’s place), about six shirts, and one sweater, all in various shades of black, white, and blue so that I can mix and match as needed. Oh, and my go-to floppy sunhat. That’s all you really need, unless you’re going somewhere like LA or Miami and planning on hitting the hottest clubs in town.

What I should’ve left home

Shoes are my weakness – I brought 3 pairs. Flip-flops, brown leather sandals I got in Italy, and cork wedges. Any one of those probably could’ve been left behind and saved me some space. I also brought a full-size bottle of aloe, because I tend to burn – which I could’ve just as easily bought here. But worst of all were my gadgets. I brought my phone, an e-reader, a tablet, and my laptop – plus chargers for all of them; that’s a good bit of space wasted. I could’ve sprung for a tablet keyboard and left my (very heavy) laptop on my desk where it belongs. A good packing motto is ‘when in doubt, leave it out’ – unless you know for sure you’re goin to use something, don’t bring it. In most cases, you can buy it there, and in specific cases (like the laptop), there’s often a lighter, smaller alternative.

What I wish I’d brought

Literally nothing. There’s very rarely a downside to packing light. Do I need to run out and get more sunscreen? Yes, because otherwise I will rapidly turn the color of the lobster I ate for dinner last night. But I can get that here, and not packing it saved me space, so I can fit a couple of souvenirs on my way home.

What I’m glad I left

More shoes, mostly – I’m not going anywhere fancy, after all! The second sweater I considered grabbing on my way out – I haven’t needed it or even thought of it once. Even little things, like makeup – I brought the essentials, so any more would just be clutter. I didn’t need another purse, or a pair of jeans. I didn’t need more books, thanks to my e-reader. Trust me, ninety-nine times out of a hundred, you need less than you think you do.

How do you do it?

Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to pack less – stop worrying about every eventuality, accept that you don’t have to wash everything just because you wore it to dinner, and leave out that third pair of shoes (clearly, I’m still learning). One of the best things you can do if you’re trying to pack lighter is to organize. Always start with a list of what you’ll need, look for things that are similar enough to leave one out, and pare down to the essentials. This also (usually) keeps you from going, “Oh, but that shirt is so cute; I’ll bring it too. And this dress. And that sweater,” at the last minute. We’ve all been there; it’s about removing the temptation!

There are some great apps and websites to help you organize, too. PackPoint checks the weather in your destination, asks some questions about your trip, and pulls up a personalized packing list – which is great when packing is just one more thing you don’t want to think about. Always feel like you’re forgetting something? Independent Traveler has one of the most comprehensive lists we’ve ever seen! If you’re traveling with the family, you might want to spring for Packing Pro – it’s currently $2.99 but lets you sort your list by family member. Fashionistas, you’ll want Stylebook (currently $3.99). It keeps track of your outfits, what you wear the most, even which accessories you’ll want to use – perfect for that South Beach vacay.

Are you a packing pro? What are your favorite packing tips? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to follow us so you don’t miss a thing!

By Meghan Brennan