Packing light is taking on new urgency now that American Airlines has announced it will charge passengers $15 to check any bag on a domestic flight.

"Frankly, I expect absolute chaos at ticket counters across the nation," business travel consultant Joe Brancatelli said in an e-mail last week to subscribers to his JoeSentMe Web site that tracks the travel industry. "Unlike the second-bag fee, which affected a small number of travelers, a huge percentage of travelers check one bag. Moreover, a large number of fliers will try to slim down to carry-on weight."

He also expects other carriers to follow American's lead "with lightning speed." American's new fee takes effect June 15. Most carriers already charge $25 to check a second bag.

Consequently, packing light should be a traveler's main goal this summer, said Samantha Brown, host of the Travel Channel's "Passport to" series.

"The last time I checked a bag was when I was a bridesmaid at a wedding. My bag got lost and my bridesmaid dress was in it," says Pauline Frommer, creator of the Pauline Frommer travel guides, about the incident eight years ago.

Fitting all of your belongings into one bag can certainly be a challenge, but travel experts have several tips on how to do it effectively.

The most important component of packing is to make a list, Ms. Frommer says. "You have got to make a list. Then when you know what you want to pack, cut it in half."

Most people who don't make a list are last-minute packers who decide to take things that they never wear. The essentials are clothes that hide stains and can be worn day and night. Men are encouraged to pack a sports jacket that can be worn during more formal occasions.

"You don't need very formal clothes. Who are you trying to impress? You are going to a place where no one is going to know you," Ms. Frommer says.

Select outfits that match the shoes you want to pack, suggests Kathleen Amiche, author of "The Woman Road Warrior: An Expert's Guide to Domestic and International Business Travel. "People always tend to overpack shoes, but you don't pack as many shoes if you build outfits from the bottom up." And make sure they're comfortable footwear.

A good way to reduce the amount of clothes and shoes is to select a color scheme and stick with it.

Ms. Brown suggests incorporating accessories to a color scheme to add a little flare. "Choose a main color as your base outfit and add things to it. I never travel without some sort of scarf," she said.

Adding accessories takes up less space in a suitcase and makes an outfit versatile to make it easier for transitions from day to night.

Choosing a color scheme, however, may be a difficult decision. Although most travelers are inclined to pick darker colors, such as black, brighter colors are more in season this time of year.

After deciding on the most important things to pack, squeezing it all into a 22-by-14-inch regulation carry-on bag may be an even harder task.

"Pack in layers," says Ms. Amiche, who lays her pants first then her clothes and shoes. "I put small items in my shoes, like socks, and put them in the sides of the bag."

And to reduce wrinkles, Ms. Amiche suggests rolling your shirts and shorts and packing jackets into dry cleaning bags.

Don't forget to put all toiletries in a quart-size plastic bag to expedite security clearance. Most important, check the airline carrier's Web site before departure for updated baggage guidelines so there aren't any surprises at the airport.