I never check a bag. As a result, my luggage is never lost and it always arrives at my destination at the same instant I do. Over the years I’ve saved hundreds of hours by avoiding the baggage carousel.

Rolling suitcases are easy to manage and, in fact, make very nice ottomans during airport waits. I’ve done seven days on the dressy Orient-Express and seventeen days adventuring in Costa Rica with just carry-ons, and I can promise that if you pack wisely, you will have all you need and want for a five-day city trip that involves business and pleasure.

The strategy for a carry-on-only trip also includes a tote bag with a zipper. It absorbs all my personal items for the flight, from iPod to paperbacks to pashmina. I take a couple of envelope purses (one is tucked in my suitcase; the other is in my tote), which take up minimal space and serve for dressier occasions. The other key rules are a simple color palette — neutrals, few prints — and clothes that do dual duty.

What to Bring

IN YOUR CARRY-ON

· 3 pairs of pants (two for business, one pair of jeans)

· 2 skirts

· 2 jackets (a lightweight blazer and a suit jacket that can be dressed up or down)

· 5 tops (three business, two casual, one of which is a white iron-free blouse)

· 1 white T-shirt, which can be worn under a jacket or at the gym

· 3 cashmere cardigans (one black, one cream, one in a bolder color)

· 1 dress for evening, business or pleasure (a simple shift works best)

· 2 or 3 scarves (they’re light and easy to pack)

· 3 pairs of shoes (pack two pairs — one comfortable pair for business, one for pleasure — and wear a pair of flats on the plane)

· 5 sets of underwear

· 5 pairs of socks, panty hose or tights

· A few pieces of distinctive (mostly inexpensive) jewelry, plus a small jewelry holder

· 1 or 2 envelope purses or clutches

· 1 mini umbrella

· Lightweight sleepwear

· Gym clothing (including yoga pants and packable athletic shoes)

· Lightweight stretch cord for easy exercises

· Chargers

· Converter (Tumi’s electric adapter is particularly versatile)

· First-aid/medical supplies (depending on your destination, consult the “Travelers’ Health Kit” list at cdc.gov/travel)

IN YOUR TOTE BAG

· Cosmetics kit, including liquids in a quart-sized plastic bag

· Comb and brush

· Prescriptions

· Personal electronics: laptop (optional, though one of the thinnest on the market is the Apple MacBook Air), BlackBerry, iPod, camera or iPhone

· Pashmina

· Paperbacks and magazines

· Travel wallet able to hold driver’s license, passport, credit cards, itinerary and airline tickets

· Glasses, sunglasses, contact case

WHAT TO WEAR ON THE PLANE

· Pair of black pants (microfiber is good because it doesn’t wrinkle)

· Cotton or cashmere top

· Suit jacket or cardigan

· Pair of flats

· Pashmina or cashmere stole

· Trench coat or lightweight parka

How to Pack

LAYER YOUR CLOTHES: First, pack the heaviest, most wrinkle-free items (pants, sweaters, jackets), then add the tops and lingerie.

FOLD CAREFULLY: Turn one jacket sleeve inside out. Tuck shoes into sides of bag. (For a packing demonstration, watch the video on modernbutlers.com.)

PACK LIQUIDS (no more than 3 oz each) in a one-quart ziplock plastic bag. Stow in your tote or an outside pocket of your carry-on to grab easily for security screening.

PROTECT ELECTRONICS that aren’t in your handbag or tote by putting them into socks nestled inside packed pairs of shoes. Put jewelry into a pouch, and if it’s good, further insulate it by placing the pouch amid socks or T-shirts in the center of your case. You could also carry jewelry in your tote or wear it.

IDENTIFY YOURSELF: Make sure there’s a brightly colored nametag on your luggage, even if it’s carry-on.

IDENTIFY YOUR BAG: If it’s basic black, add a jaunty decal (I love reproductions of 1930s travel posters) in case you have to check it.

MEASURE YOUR BAG: The carry-on rule is no more than 45 linear inches, a combination of height, width and depth. Most 18- or 20-inch-high suitcases that aren’t overstuffed will comply. The combined weight of your carry-on and personal items may be no more than 40 pounds. If you’re worried your luggage might weigh too much (the surcharge is $50 and up), the Balanzza Ergo digital luggage scale ($24.95; balanzza.com) will tell you (as will a digital bathroom scale). The best strategy is to start underweight so that you can shop at your destination.

Advanced Techniques

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT TAKING…

· Linen or pleated clothes — wrinkle city.

· A robe, a hair dryer or other items your hotel will have.

· Hardcover books. Instead, bring paperbacks and magazines.

LOCK IT UP

Several makers, including Safe Skies (safeskieslocks.com) and Travel Sentry (travelsentry.org), sell combination locks ($10-$20) that can be opened by the Transportation Security Administration if you have to check your luggage.

PREPARE FOR THE PAT-DOWN

· Remove jewelry.

· Wear slip-on shoes with socks (so that you don’t have to go barefoot on the airport floor).

· Put jackets and sweaters into your tote or carry-on.

· Look for “black diamond” self-select security lanes for experienced travelers, which are being tested at airports in Denver, Salt Lake City, Boston, Orlando and Spokane (for more info, tsa.gov).

ZIP THROUGH SECURITY

A high-tech card ($128 for the first year) using fingerprint and iris identification allows Clear members to take advantage of designated airport-security “fast lanes.” The service is currently available at selected terminals at 21 airports nationwide; check flyclear.com for updated listings.

LOUNGE LIZARDS

Priority Pass members gain access to more than 500 airport VIP lounges in 90 countries. Some premium (platinum) credit cards include membership. For $399 a year you can get a pass that allows unlimited visits (prioritypassusa.com).

WORKING OUT ON THE ROAD

For fitness buffs who want to maintain their regular workout routine while traveling, sneakers suck up a lot of room in a suitcase. Choose a lightweight, packable athletic shoe that can be used at the gym and for casual wear, such as the 11 oz. Merrell Caper ($89.95) for women. The easiest solution of all, though, is to pack a lightweight stretch cord (available at most sporting-goods stores), which is perfect for doing toning exercises in your hotel room.

Advice From Frequent Fliers

“I pack an empty duffel bag inside my suitcase, and I always end up using it on the way back”

– Delphine Krakoff, interior designer

“Some of my secrets to traveling: I always fly at night, drink a ton of water and take two Emergen-C tablets as soon as I land. I like to take a huge, oversized cashmere scarf in my handbag and use it as a blanket on the plane. I also bring along a large leather envelope where I keep all my tear-outs from magazines that I read during my travels.”

– Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, CEO and founder of Vivre

“Always pack one special evening piece. You don’t want to decline an interesting impromptu invitation just because you have nothing to wear. One spontaneous, glamorous night can make the trip memorable. Same principle for decent lingerie … you never know. Also, I am completely convinced that recycled dry-cleaning bags keep everything unwrinkled and pristine, even in a jammed suitcase.”

– Linda Fargo, senior vice president of women’s fashion at Bergdorf Goodman

Keep it striclty stylish!