I’m trying to squeeze every drop of summer out of these last two weeks of August. And at the same time, I’m starting to help private clients plan for upcoming Fall travel and events.

A great outfit reinforces your identity, boosts your mood and can help to regulate your emotions. All three are welcome on an everyday basis, but even more so on a big trip or special day. Here are a few tips to help ensure you are shopping intentionally rather than reactively and packing smartly rather than rushing to throw everything into your suitcase at the last minute.

DESTINATION: THE US OPEN Here are some outfit ideas for you

1.write it down

Hand writing a simple list works wonders. Include specific dates and locations. Think about weather variations. Visualize specifics (cobblestone streets, grassy lawns).

2.set it aside

Pull pieces from your closet that feel like they fulfill your list. You can put these items on a rolling rack in your bedroom or on the bed in a spare room or into the front part of your everyday closet. The idea is to be able to see them all together, think about anything that you may need to shop for and give yourself some time to allow your brain to filter through all the possibilities.

DESTINATION: BACK TO THE OFFICE When you want to feel professional and polished

3.attend to details

Does anything need to be altered? Are there any missing pieces that would be useful (outerwear, jewelry, undergarments, a standout piece)? If you’re packing, think specifically about shoes and handbags and how to use what you’re packing in multiple ways. If it’s a special day, consider any limitations, for example: no backpacks, bags have to be a certain size, don’t wear white to someone else’s wedding/shower/rehearsal dinner.

4.Feel confident that you’re good to go

Give yourself some time to envision all the pieces you’ll need, shop for or collect items not easily at hand and then review your list. Keep all the pieces together until you’re ready to use them and even better, photograph your outfits ahead of time. Then you can refer to them on the day. No stress (at least sartorially!) and you’ll feel confident that your clothing reflects who you are and how you want to feel/communicate with others.

As the legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, “Confidence comes from being prepared.”