Write down the days, not an ideal wardrobe
For three days away, begin with what you expect to do. Travel, a long walk, dinner and time indoors may need different shoes or layers, but they do not necessarily need four unrelated outfits. Name the activities before selecting the clothes.
Lay out one combination for each day using items you already wear together. Overlap a trouser, skirt or outer layer where it makes sense. Do not count on suddenly enjoying a top that never feels right at home simply because it takes up little space in the bag.
Check the joins
Try each top with each bottom you intend it to meet. A shirt may be too long for one skirt, or a jumper too bulky beneath the jacket. The colours can coordinate while the shapes do not. Looking at the clothes on the bed is a start; wearing the combinations reveals more.
Shoes create another constraint. Two pairs may be enough for your plans, but the number is less important than whether they serve the actual activities. If an outfit only works with a third pair, consider changing the outfit before expanding the luggage.
Allow for ordinary things going wrong
Bring enough underwear and other essentials for the trip, with sensible allowance for your circumstances. A spare top may earn its space more readily than another decorative layer. Think about access to laundry and drying time rather than assuming everything can be washed overnight.
Pack delicate or easily snagged items away from zips and shoe fastenings. Follow the garment's care instructions if you need to refresh it on arrival. A travel wardrobe should not require unfamiliar treatments in a hotel bathroom.
Make the first day accessible
Keep anything needed during the journey near the top of the bag or in an accessible compartment. If you arrive before you can check in, you should not need to empty the case to find a layer. Put the outfit for the first evening together so that a late arrival does not become another styling session.
On the way home, notice which clothes were worn and which stayed packed. That observation is more useful for the next trip than a universal packing formula. Your three days may have very different needs from someone else's.
