Psst! Great travel clothes — and some on sale!

Aaah! It’s finally time for a well-deserved vacation.

But between tying up loose ends at work, finalizing travel arrangements and/or making sure everyone else is packed, you’ve barely had a second to think about yourself.

Don’t panic — just check out our five easy-pack-and-go pieces and discover how to build a day-into-evening travel wardrobe with style.

Plus, we tell you where to find great stuff on sale!

It’s all here in the latest edition of our weekly fashion and beauty report.

firstview.com Swim in style: From Gottex.

Dive right in
Choose the right swimsuit and you’ll have a stylish, vacation-ready partner that works well beyond the beach. Your best bet: A maillot with a modest cut that can double up as a top with pants, shorts or a sarong. Pick a neutral, wear-with everything color like red, orange or black or a newer look, such as a great optic or floral print that combines all of your favorite colors. Bonus: prints actually make you look slimmer, as the eye roves all over rather than zeroing in on one (trouble) zone.

Trend Tip:
Hit better specialty stores like Saks (www.saksfifthavenue.com) or Neiman Marcus (www.neimanmarcus.com) right now for good sales on higher-priced designer brands such as Anne Cole or Gottex. The initial high price tag usually reflects better construction techniques and more technically advanced fabrics.

firstview.com Caftan power: From Nanette Lapore.

Caftans and kurtas and pareos and sarongs
Hit your vacation in style with a few classic beach essentials in tow, such as the day-into-evening kurta or caftan. Wear one or the other over your swimsuit for breakfast and lunch, pair a kurta with pants for an afternoon of sightseeing, and wear a caftan over bare, tanned legs with sexy sandals and glam jewelry for nights on the town. If you don’t like the loose, concealing fit of these quintessential resort pieces, wear a summer-right woven leather belt or a link belt studded with shells or stones at the waist or hip. Instant chic!

Trend Tip:
You’ll find a range of pareos (the Polynesian version of a sarong) at Spiegel (www.spiegel.com) right now. But if you want a wider selection of tony, jetset-style caftans, sarongs and kurtas, check out the fabulous “Live A Little” summer sale at Vivre (www.vivre.com). And remember, an oversized scarf can double as a sarong as well.

Vivre Sandal parade: From Vivre.

Sandals resort
The true fashionista traveler knows that one great pair of sandals will work with just about every vacation outfit — and that they free up lots of room in a suitcase for souvenirs! While high heels are fun to have on hand, your practical choice is a pair of chic, bright, low-heeled summer sandals that take you with panache from poolside to parties. This season, you’ll find many options — from bright leathers to sandals studded with jewels or flowers. Don’t be afraid to go for the shoe with a “big” personality — after all, you’ll be spending a lot of time together!

Trend Tip:
A shoe sale is one of a fashionista’s favorite events — and there’s plenty of summer left to show off your gams. Just about every summer shoe is a bargain right now. Check out the fabulous selection at Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com) or hit your favorite brand names, such as Nine West (www.ninewest.com) or Cole Haan (www.colehaan.com).

Captivating capris: From Versace. / firstview.com

Cropped and chic
We choose the sporty, summer, cropped white pant as your one wear-with-everything essential bottom. Go for a length that flatters your figure — cropped right below the knee if you’re petite or cropped slim at the ankle if you have average to long legs. The number-one color this season is white, followed by black, khaki or denim. A solid will take you farther in terms of mixing-and-matching (remember to coordinate to your swimsuit!). Adventurous types may opt instead for a fun, summery print like gingham, plaid or a colorful floral.

Trend Tip:
Head straight for the markdown racks at classics-carrying stores such as the Gap (www.gap.com) or J. Crew (www.jcrew.com) to score a real cropped-pant bargain. If you’re a size 16 to 26, you should also make a beeline for Old Navy’s new plus-sized line (www.oldnavy.com), where khaki and denim pants are on sale right now.

Banana Republic Not your mother's twinset: From Banana Republic.

Double your pleasure
Despite its dowdy reputation, a twinset is a travel winner — it’s wear-together and wear-apart pieces will add miles to vacation wardrobe. And this season you’ll find that twinsets are far from boring — they’ve been styled with pretty, feminine trims and romantic touches like scalloped necklines and hems. Whether you choose a look that’s slim and sexy or more oversized and forgiving, do plan to break up your twins. Mix the tank with your sarong and your pants. Come evening, button up the cardigan and add a fantastic piece of jewelry. No one will be the wiser — you’ve just packed well!

Trend Tip:
We love the twinsets at Banana Republic (www.bananarepublic.com) for their delicate trims and luscious range of happy colors like seafoam, turquoise and strawberry. You’ll also find twinsets with pretty ruffled trims and solid cardigan/striped sweater combinations (even more versatility!) at Target. (Hint: Shop through the Amazon.com apparel department to find the widest Target selection).

Only on TODAY.MSNBc.com! Style editor Judy Gordon brings you the latest news and advice about apparel and beauty. LAST WEEK: Love is in the air — and in your closet GO TO ALL FASHION FRIDAY COLUMNS

Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America.

firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to www.firstVIEW.com for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.

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