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Business travel packing tips??

Anonymous

I've been travelling for business for years - starting with one of my first jobs out of university, back in the 80's. I have travelled to different climates and countries, and for a million different types of business-dress occasions. It's not like I'm new to this game. But I am terrible at it! Years ago, when I travelled with more clothes and usually with outfits bought new for the trip, I felt a lot better and looked a lot better. Now? I feel like a hot mess. I'm not sure what the problem(s) is(are) , but one thing I've noticed is that I've relaxed my detailed list making for the clothing part of packing in the last year or two and it's really affected the process. I either have way too many "extras" for the "what if" situations, and bad combinations that I invent just for the trip that end up being unflattering and uncomfortable.

I also know I am on the cusp of a major style change - I WANT to do this- and that may also be a problem. I have hardly bought anything new in the past year, and don't have a capsule of pieces I love and that fit. I've gained a lot of weight recently, and have not shopped in ages because of it. I thought I could swing this last 7 day trip on what I had, but it was a nightmare. I felt horribly self-conscious and not well-dressed.

So - those of you who travel for business ( and not to casual events - that I can do ) and need to dress professionally yet fashionably for conferences, meetings, etc - would you mind sharing some tips and tricks that allow you to pack with confidence and that give you the selection of clothes you really want to wear without having to take half of your closet? What do you do to make packing a success? What types of pieces are good for events where you need to be able to move, that are breathable and wrinkle free, and don't involve unnecessary layering?? HELP!

p.s. I know I've been so dramatic in my "leaving the forum" off and on, and that I don't comment on as many posts as I did even last year - which means I don't expect or quite qualify to have your help, but I thought I'd see anyways.......thanks in advance

p.p. I also realize I may be throwing two separate issues into this post.

Dressing

42 replies

Latest reply was from Sammy Gregory

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

This is what I packed for a 16 day trip that involved three days of academic conferences in a hot climate. I have very problematic feet and would have taken dressier shoes if I didn't have to walk much.
Obviously ditch the jeans and floral shirt in my capsule. I stuck with white and black, but made the looks interesting (for me) with different fabrics and cuts. I think this could work for business, provided the footwear were a bit fancier. If I were doing 7 days of business, I would probably bring along a blazer, a few blouses/camis (knowing before if I intended to wear them with the jacket), and then two bottoms with different silhouettes (slim above ankle is a must, and then something trendier if you want to be more fashion forward--either cropped slight flare, or wide leg).

I like Theory's signature open collarless, buttonless jackets because they're harder to date, and can be dressed up or down really easily. They can look appropriate for both business or formal functions. Lastly, they're often available on eBay, and if you buy them in-store (if you have a chance to visit one), they'll tailor them for free.

Obviously, we have different tastes and bodies, but I hope that gets you thinking about ideas. If anything, you'll know what you don't like.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lisa, I'm off to yoga, but wanted to quickly chime in to say first, that you are always welcome on YLF. Don't worry about that!

Second, I have lots of packing tips that I can share tomorrow - I've got this down and hope to impart helpful knowledge.

Third, the style shift is indeed a separate opportunity, but we can start throwing around that topIc too.

Speak soon, and namaste.

Carla

Veteran

Use a trouser suit as the base, but get the best and most modern version you can afford. Add separates. Contrast and/or colour for visibility and joy and to stand out from the crowd of black.
Comfortable, broken in, footwear if you are on your feet a lot

The style shift is a different issue. Read Stylefan's past half dozen posts. She's doing hard work!

April

Veteran

My sister is an academic who goes to A LOT of conferences and has become a huge fan of this packing method that involves rolling everything. She swears it allows her to bring more professional-looking clothing and fit it into a smaller space without having it all get smashed and wrinkled.

Not sure of the exact details, but let me see if this is a Google-able question...

JAileen

Veteran

My son used the rolling technique to fit clothes for a year overseas into a backpack. I think there are videos on youtube.

Sal

Veteran

I am not an expert but have done it a few times, both with success and once, an abject failure.

My process would be:

1) Check the weather forecast, or note if mostly in aircon.
2) Dress code or dress expectation.
3) Start with the footwear. Tradeshow and on your feet all day compared to a conference where you could be sitting down mostly. If it was three days I would want a minimum of two different pairs of day shoes, plus exercise trainers. Ideally I would have a fourth pair for evening too but this would depend on carry on vs a checked bag.
4) Again based on three days, I would want three different looks but there could be overlap with pants or a jacket. Hypothetically:

1) Cropped pants, shirt, jacket, loafers
2) Same cropped pants, shell top, jacket, same loafer
3) Long sleeve dress, tights, ankle boots
4) Travel - jeans/pants plus one jacket and tee and repeated footwear
5) Evening option - jeans, dressy, sweater plus repeated footwear
6) Nice gear x 2 for gym or walking.
7) Nightwear, underwear and accessories, plus winter coat.

Packing list

loafers
boots
cropped pants
jackets x 2
shirt/blouse x 1
shell top x 1
tee shirt x 1
dressy sweater x 1
dress x 1
jeans x 1

I know it is boring but I find black is the easiest in this instance for the dress and at least one pair of footwear, plus some of the tops and jackets. I feel this amount of clothes allows some flexibility - for meals out, for any casual expeditions or events, and for weather. And if the gear is pretty good at a push the trainers and a long sleeve top can be worn with jeans.

I know you have the jewelry, jackets, coat and footwear....

I miss Viva - she would have this nailed!!

harmonica

Veteran

Here is a post on my packing before an academic 9 days trip to Illinois 1,5 years ago. My starting point is always to think about how many outfits and the level of dressiness I will be wearing. And I always bring too many tops (just in case ;-)) because I like to feel fresh.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....cking-help

You're always welcome! We are many who are on and off, myself included. Quite often I'll leave replies only mentally, but of course then noone else knows. lol

harmonica

Veteran

I roll my items and use packing cubes. Packing cubes are just as essential as the suitcase, backpack or bag! At least for me.

April

Veteran

Okay, it turns out this is not a Google-able question, but it is a YLF-able question. I asked my sister directly, and this was her answer:

"I learned it from a Japanese friend. You literally just lay out the shirt (with arms folded in), and roll. I lay out trousers on the crease and roll from the top. That’s it."

Anonymous

Thank you, GF! This is most helpful, and interesting. I'm thinking that my reliance on knitwear is where I get into trouble. A lot of it isn't very fresh and modern/fashion forward looking , and it can look baggy and dowdy as the day wears on. Although the conference hall we work in can be really warm, I would love to find a collarless light weight blazer as you described. Theory is pretty much out of my budget now, but I should check e-bay - good idea. How is sizing for Theory. Do you have that capsule posted here on YLF anywhere? The picture resolution is really off on your blog page - at least on my screen. I hear you on the footwear issue too - I probably log that many steps too. I usually dress from the shoes up - another reason I get caught unprepared. I buy a few pair of shoes I can walk and stand in , and then have nothing that looks right with them because they are too trendy and too casual. And lastly - I need to find those two pair of pants you mention: ankle slim and ankle flare. They seem to be a unicorn though.

Anonymous

Carla - yes to the quality trouser suit. Yes , yes, yes. Another unicorn though. Where the heck are they in a moderate price range? What brands do you like for trouser suits (being a fellow Cdn, we'd have access to the same brands) ?

Sally - thanks , this is a good list. And yes, my work events are 4 days of on my feet at a trade show , and 2-3 days of product knowledge meetings where sitting down is allowed You're another who mentions a jacket -making me think this is what I'm missing to feel more "me".

Anonymous

harmonica - thank you ! You certainly have a varied and broad collection here - not sure I would want to pack quite that much as my trips have almost zero personal-time component . I agree with packing a few too many tops - freshness is key for me too. That's another area my closet is lacking in ...

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I can't offer help on the packing question, but I empathize SO MUCH with the situation of not being happy with one's shape and not buying clothes because of it. I've been there for years and, as a result, 1) bought way too many clothes at the last minute in order to fill a wardrobe need--always placeholders or not quite right regardless of the cost or 2) pulled together outfits that I *hoped* would work from among the scruffy offerings of my closet. It does not bode well. Come to terms with your closet and I bet the packing thing will work itself out.

AM

Veteran

Good for you for reassessing your travel capsule -- you gotta feel fab! I work in a creative industry -- not a lot of suits but chic separates. I always went for monochromatic outfits from head to toe (winter: black, ink, charcoal, berry, forest, brown. spring/summer: black, ink, and light grey and blue). The look was ultra simple - which made it different. Trouser, cashmere sweater/silk t-shirt blouse or similar, belt, simple elegant modern shoe, stellar jewelry. Layers (light or heavy weight): wrap, cardigan, jacket (three different looks in addition to the cashmere sweater or the blouse alone). Once in a while I would play with interesting color combinations -- almost all berry outfit but with a light blue shell. But I really enjoyed the monochromatic looks. And rolling worked for me. I'm sure you'll get great advice on this topic. And I look forward to the style shift posts (I love those types of posts).

jill58

Veteran

Lisa re: Theory sizing. I don't know if their sizing is consistent but I recently bought a blazer, drastically marked down at Nordstrom Rack. I am typically a 6/8 (currently more of an 8 than a 6) and the size 6 blazer was perfect.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Re: Theory sizing, I'd say they run a bit small. My shoulder/upper arms are 4/6 in J.Crew, and a 6 or medium in Theory tops. For bottoms, I'm a size 10 in Theory, generally wear 30 in denim, 8 J.Crew, if that helps.

I bought a linen lined Lanai blazer for $60 on eBay that I'm reselling, if that gives you an idea about the prices. Check also VC and Tradesy.

I really like their Thaniel cotton pants, which are slim without being tight, and pull-on. They are very overpriced for what they are, but Shopbop and Nordstrom carry them regularly, which means that you'll be able to get them for at least 25% off if you're patient. Shopbop is due for a big sale within the next month or so. At this point, I'd only purchase Theory from Norstrom because as much as I like their styles, I don't think the quality is as good as it should be.

In the interim, maybe try the J.Crew Martie pants or the Teddy, which are both slim and look on-trend.

Btw, if you're a 10, these are a good deal on eBay, though you wouldn't be able to wear them as a suit:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/THEORY.....2539309056

The wider wool pants are the Kit and Ace Rhodes, which are no longer being carried, unfortunately. They were pricey, but have helped up so well, and have been through the wash many times. No unravelling, no holes, I'm really impressed. The grey pants are the Club Monaco Izabelah, but I'm not sure if that's your style.

Style Fan

Veteran

I don't travel for business but I do travel a lot for pleasure. I find rolling works great. It does make your luggage very heavy.

Penny

Veteran

For me, the trick is to select a small set of my normal professional wear in fabrics that travel well and in dark colors / neutrals that mix-and-match easily and won't be memorable if I need to wear them more than once on the trip.

To make every item count, I typically wear on flights a three-quarter-sleeve black jersey dress that is comfy and can be worn later on the trip, with a neutral scarf for warmth on the plane and in conference rooms. I pack suits when needed, but prefer to select a few dresses in wrinkle-resistant fabrics that can be worn alone or with the same black blazer. I'll have two pairs of shoes in a color - black or nude - that will work with all outfits I plan to wear. Usually it's one pair of slight wedges or ballet flats (worn onto the plane; good for long days or conferences), and one pair of pumps (for client/government meetings, presentations, etc.)

Typically, all these items, plus my toiletries and work items, will fit in my Lo & Sons OMG bag and a rolling briefcase-size carry-on. One bad experience having an average-sized carry-on get waylaid when it was checked plane-side because of full overhead bins has made me want to travel with the smallest luggage I can get away with!

AM

Veteran

Chiming back in. With regard to monochromatic -- Madam Secretary (Téa Leoni) wears this look a lot. She skews conservative but it is often quite minimal.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any business travel advice, but do have sympathy for not fitting right in my clothes and say start with high quality clothes that fit you right now. I would probably look for two brilliant pair of trousers and focus on extraordinary shoes that I could stand in all day, but my pants are usually an easier fit for me and shoes are my obsession. Also jackets - two amazing jackets that mix and match with the pants. I am picturing something fitted with a slightly tailored waist. I literally just bought an old Theory Trant jacket for even less money than this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/THEORY.....1514173969

rachylou

Veteran

I have a suit that's jacket, skirt, pants AND a dress. A rare and hard sought thing. I love it. It's an all-in-one. It might give some pause, because it lacks variety in a sense, all being cut from the same cloth. But then again, you can do a lot with 4 pieces and it provides professional coordination. Also, one takeaway I've gotten from European and other counterparts - it's only Americans that feel the need to change things up every day. That is, our daily change is much more extreme I now feel. Like we need to be extra clear we DO do laundry. Or are always chasing the new and different, not appreciating the tried and true. So, I mean, I cut down on my 'what if' scenarios by adopting this mindset.

Although, ok, I did have one Russian colleague who I think traveled with only one pair of pants and shirt (and sunglasses) and thought that was a little spartan. I mean I've ended up doing something near that, but not for business travel. And really I was carrying more even if I didn't use it. Of course, there was the moment the Bulgarian refused to talk to the Russian guy because the Russian guy's drink of choice was 'juice' - and he just would not give any other answer (i.e., an alcoholic one), lol.

Had an English history teacher also who only had one pair of pants and one shirt for winter and one for summer. That definitely put him firmly in the eccentric category.

Ok. What am I talking about here? Hehe. Oh, right. My answer is always: whiskey. Always wins points and no one ever actually makes me drink it

unfrumped

Veteran

Just chiming in to say, please do drop in and out at will, but I love your posts so GLAD you are back. I have been super busy with major life changes and therefore an erratic forum member myself, but hope for forgiveness and tolerance.
I am a terrible packer.
What helps in s generic way is I need discipline to say, I need to PREPARE complete outfits and not just favorite random items that " ought" to mix and match. I have to prove it by outfit creation. I have to have discipline to decide I WILL wear this or that and not pack 12 things in hopes I'll decide later.
So that leads to my whole wardrobe review edit where I do outfits or find out, hmmm, this jacket or these pants aren't really part of anything remotely like a usable outfit or small capsule that I would love wearing.

My closest experience was this past year when I was planning on making a major job and career switch and I had to dress for essentially " interviews" for the first time in years. I had numerous professional clothes but still had a hard time with COMPLETE outfits because I didn't wear that at work, and because I needed that extra edge of confidence and polish, and I had events spanning different seasons.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Lisa --

1) Figure out shoes.

2) What to wear is so individual. Don't do knits if you're not a knit person and vice versa. Try on EVERYTHING, the way you plan to wear it, a few days before the trip. [This is tedious.] Make sure you have at least 1 forgiving fit if you're prone to swelling and/or bloating from travel, different eating routines/lack of exercise, etc

3) I hang on wire hangers and put plastic bags over clothes, then fold normally. Easy to pop from suitcase onto hook/towel rack.

Irina

Veteran

Lisa, I would start with a suit. Check Massimo Dutty, they have a nice wool one in ink. Plus a pair of black pants you can wear with a suit jacket. I also would add a leather jacket (I wish I had one but you do, right?) that works with both pants. And an oversized sweater, too. If you decide on pants and toppers, picking tops should be easy. My two cents

K2

Hi Lisa. Nice to see you post again. I don't travel so much now, but used to do it a lot, always with carry-on luggage. I'm a big fan of rolling and of course wearing boots, heaviest shoes and potentially putting the others in my tote bag to save space in my suitcase. I often didn't have to be super dressed up so would only take one blazer or a couple knit drapey cardigan sweaters in different colours. My Eileen fisher asymmetrical black 3/4 sleeve jersey dress is my saviour as it can be dressed down with a jean jacket or dressed up with a blazer and is both forgiving and flattering. (I did have it tweaked a bit to make it a little less shapeless). Honestly though, scarves are my best friends when travelling for business and have become a bit of a signature style. I try to bring a variety of them so they really change the look of basic black and with a change from boots to shoes, it looks like a new outfit. Plus, when traveling in winter, you don't need to bring an extra scarf for outerwear and they pack nicely. If you are contemplating a style change and unhappy with shopping in general (been there!) they also always fit and allow you to introduce something different into your wardrobe in pattern/colour to try it out.

Bijou

Veteran

When travelling for work I plan what I am likely to want to wear each day and then hope it mixes and matches if I need to change it up. I put a bit more effort into planning for trips because I don't have the fallback of my wardrobe and the luxury to "change into something else" if it doesn't work. I like to make sure that I have a variation in colour of my basics (so not everything black, a trap that I can fall into way too easily and then feel really frustrated that "everything looks the same").

Wear the following combos for 5 day trip (items from my current wardrobe):
1. Black cigarette pants / tangerine asymmetrical top / black crop jacket / black patent kitten heels / pearls
2. Navy skirt / ivory shirt / red jacket / white boots
3. Black & navy shift dress / black crop jacket / black patent kitten heels / pearls
4. White shift dress / red jacket / white boots
5. Black cigarette pants / black shirt / dove grey neoprene jacket / black kitten heels.

So:
3 jackets (black, grey & red)
1 black pant
1 navy skirt
1 black & navy shift dress
1 white shift dress
3 tops (black, white, tangerine)
black kitten heels
white boots

I would also take: jeans, exercise gear, 2 t-shirts, PJs, handbag plus smaller bag, cocktail dress (if an evening event is likely).

Anonymous

I happened upon a Theory collarless open jacket yesterday at Nordstrom rack. I would have had to size on the larger end to get comfort in the shoulders and upper arms. Unfortunately, the jacket I tried on was one size below that.

Anonymous

Bijou- thank you for taking the time to list this collection . This is a great guideline. The lack of colour in my travel wardrobe is definitely a problem.

K2 - yes , yes to the idea of a jersey dress (EF). Not sure I am in good enough shape for jersey but I'd like to find something like that . I am also definitely adding cardigans/knit jackets of some sort to my list of things to start collecting.

Irina- I agree with starting with the purchase of a suit. I have tons of leather jackets - they were my trademark - but find them a little restrictive and warm to work in . I so miss wearing them They are mainly outerwear pieces for fall and spring now . I agree with you and love that look for work.

Vix - ugh, I HATE trying on things. But you're right. I'll make it a must-do prior to my next trip. And you're also bang-on about planning from the shoes first. Exactly what I did, and was probably the result of not having things I liked wearing. The shoes I travel in are not what I wear on a usual work day at home, and the whole look is off-balance because the clothes don't work well with the shoes.

Anonymous

unfrumped - thanks for the kind words Your situation sounds very familiar - and a major closet overhaul is going to happen here once I solidify my "new look".

shevia - thanks for commiserating And you're another wise one with a good jacket as a starting point. Must get on this .

AM - I"ve never seen that show - will check it out I like Tea Leoni. I am so interested again in a more sophisticated , classic look, but the issue is actually finding good pieces in the stores in my area.

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