packing for a conference - extending the look of one suit

I'm starting to pack for New York for a six-day conference - four conference days and two travel days. Attire is business, but I'm in the arts so there's room for creativity. I usually take a basic navy suit, with two lengths of skirt and one pair of pants, plus another pair of pants I can swap with the jacket, and if space allows, a second more funky jacket. My tall heeled black boots help make the skirts doable in January New York weather, but they're a beast to wear through airport security. With the new baggage fees, I'm not sure I can fit everything in. I used to cram everything in on the way out, and then check two bags on the way back along with my conference materials.

I also feel like I'm always wearing the same thing at these events, but I just don't have packing room for the multiple, but more unique, jackets I have at home.

Any ideas on how to change up the suit, and also dress for the weather at the same time, while still fitting into a single suitcase?! (we're in & out of the hotel all evening long) With as cold as it's been in the Midwest, currently I feel like taking my wool pants & sweaters instead!

17 years ago

Sihaya

Veteran

Susan - can you wear a jacket on the plane and take it that way? Also accessories such as scarves and jewellery might help add visual interest and variety.

NicNac

Active Member

Hey Susan! I travel for work all of the time (I'm a recruiter) and after so many years I think I have it down to a science. I take the following:
Basic black pantsuit
black pinstripe skirt (or any color)
turtleneck (if it's cold)
3 silky yet professional camisoles (or jersey tees) to wear under the suit
3-4 scarves & brooches- the scarves can be worn as scarves or belts and the brooches can jazz up the suit and they won't take up much space.
1 pair of boots (if it's cold)
1 pair of pumps but I bring shoe clips to change it up

I also wear a wrap dress (or easy dress) with a cardigan on the plane with ballet flats to make taking off my shoes easy. The dress can be worn again without the cardigan and jazzed up with a belt or scarf.

I usually have to check one bag and then have my carry on with my handbag & laptop.

I hope this helped!

Eva

Nice list NicNac. For my longer busness trips, I take two suits (in the black and charcoal or black and black pinstripe), additional jackets that go with the pants, and skirt that would go with the jackets. I also bring a dress for the evening. I usually bring enough tops for each day since they pack up small. I bring 2 pairs of shoes so that I'm not wearing the same one each day. I know...sounds very black. But I add the color with the tops and additional jackets. I love the idea of adding scarfs to change up the outfit.

SusanW

Member

Thanks so much for your comments! I always forget about my scarves... I need to put them out in my closet where I'll see them instead of stuffed away in a drawer. I used to wear them all the time pre-baby but got away from them in the wear-only-washable-items phase. Now that she's six I can go back! I need to remember how to tie them... this morning's first attempt was pretty flight-attendant-ish.

I'll look at my closet with a new approach tonight... most of my "fun" jackets go better with black than navy, but I'm sure there's soemthing that will work and still swap in with the navy suit.

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