How to go from day to night in a fashionable flash

How many times have you overpacked for a vacation? How many times were you unable to fit everything into your carry-on luggage? Or gone to the beach, and when it was time for happy hour or dinner, you were still in a bathing suit? From the beach to the party, from the plane to the pool and from your cubicle to having cocktails, US Weekly contributor Jill Martin reveals how to get different looks with the same items:

Beach to chic
Looking to go from the beach or the pool on to an evening event?  Well, Victoria's Secret (www.victoriassecret.com) has just come out with a 7-1 dress that allows you to go straight to a cocktail party by just tying the dress in a different way. This item is so versatile that you can wear it as a cover-up during the day with a bathing suit, then tie it as a dress at night (whichever way is most flattering to your figure). You can even throw a few accessories in your beach bag to dress up your evening attire.

If you like to really stand out during the day, add turquoise necklaces (Lee Angel at Jennifer Miller; 212.734.8199, $275), since they will dress up any outfit — from jeans and a white T-shirt to that little black dress. In terms of sprucing up the rest of your wardrobe, YSL has a fashionable and functional bag charm (www.ysl.com, $59) featuring a compact lip gloss and perfume.

If you are a heels person, throw a pair in your beach bag to take you into the evening. If you prefer flats, Calypso has a pair of gold sandals that will work day to night (www.calypso-celle.com, $35). Another way to look crisp and clean is to get the perfect white bathing suit, which can be hard to find because so many of them are see-through. Calypso has one that will allow you to stand out without revealing too much! (www.calypso-celle.com, $160). So pack your beach bag efficiently and head out!

Plane to pool
It is very frustrating to check luggage when you travel, so consider the carry-on bag. For a woman, there are two must-haves: a shawl from H&M (www.hm.com, $12.90) and a tankini. These two items will allow you to save space in your carry-on and will take you straight from the plane to the pool without even checking into your room. The tankini is a versatile two-piece suit — you can wear it as a tank top under a blazer or sweater on the plane. Then, just throw the bottoms on when you arrive at your destination, and you are set to sizzle in the sun. The H&M shawl is great because you can use it as a fashion piece over your blazer or as a blanket to keep you comfy during flights. In the warm weather, it can be tied as a sarong or used like a towel on the beach.

Now, guys, don't worry, we have a solution for you too. Ex Officio has come up with a five-pocket pant that allows you to travel in style. The pants are 100 percent nylon and are treated with Teflon. When you unzip these pants at the knee, they become shorts that can also be used as a bathing suit! (www.exofficio.com, $65).

Cubicle to cocktails
Every working woman can relate to this: How often are you at a loss for what to wear when heading to work with plans for the evening? When you want to look sexy and not stuffy, the scarf is the way to go. It must be a 36" square (it can be bigger if you want more coverage, but it must be a square). This is a must-have item for all women, whether you are going to work or going on a weekend trip. During the day, pair it with a blazer or sweater and wear it around your neck.

When you are ready for cocktails, take the scarf and lay it on a flat surface with the dull side facing up. Tie a knot in the middle of the scarf and then wrap two corners around your neck and the remaining two corners around your waist. Voila! Oh, and don't forget to throw in this clutch/wallet from Amici. It's a wallet on the inside but can double as a clutch on the outside — so throw it in your work bag and head out the door! (www.amiciaccessories.com, $24).