Business trips can be a real pain. You’re either schlepping to places you’ve never wanted to go, or jetting off to countries you’ve always wanted to explore but find yourself without any time to really ‘see’, due to back-to-back meetings.
Worst of all, though, is actually getting there. Whether it’s via plane, train or boat, the traveling part of a business trip can be a bit of a nightmare. Not only will you need to pack all of your work essentials – including important documents, your laptop, and maybe even a tablet – you’ll also need to take enough clothes to cover both that all-important meeting and a round of drinks with a client in the evening.
Still, traveling for work shouldn’t always be a pain. We can’t pull an excuse card for you, but we can offer some time-saving, stress-easing tips for traveling on business, in style.
The Right Luggage
First things first, you’ll need to grab the right accessories for the job – in this case, we’re talking a roomy travel bag.
Whether you’re going for a quick day trip or heading to New York for a week, you should be looking for luggage that’s made of leather and that can be wheeled. A durable material like leather helps to protect the contents of your bag far better than canvas, while wheels just make your life that little bit easier.
Alternatively, if your trip doesn’t require you carting around several changes of clothes, then you could opt for a minimal, well-crafted duffle bag.
Your Travel Outfit
If a garment still looks polished and presentable after a full day’s wear in the office, it’s probably a good piece to pack. Cotton and microfiber fabrics are great options because they help save it from the inevitable folds and wrinkles from being stored in luggage, but also keeps you looking sharp. One wardrobe staple worth looking into buying is a wrinkle-free shirt. Brooks Brothers also offers non-iron shirts with French cuffs, striped and plaid patterns and monogramming.
In terms of suits, microfiber versions such as the Land’s End commuter separates for women tend to be light and don’t hold creases as much as cotton-blend suits. Made of a wool blend, they are also less wrinkle-prone and offer greater warmth, if you need it.
Team it with some slim/dark jeans for a comfortable yet refined aesthetic. And be sure to pack at least one wrinkle-resistant travel-knit dress, that’s appropriate for a variety of occasions.
No-Fuss Footwear
Opt for pair of loafers or flats. They’re easy to slip on and off when required, immensely comfortable, and can be dressed up with tailoring or down with jeans or a dress.
Unpack Immediately
Don’t live out of a suitcase; as soon as you reach your hotel room, get everything unpacked as a matter of urgency.
The longer clothes stay folded in your bag, the worse they’re going to look when you go to wear them. Most hotels should have an iron that you can borrow but, failing that, hang your clothes on the back of the bathroom door while you take a hot shower – the steam will relax any major creases.
Quick Travel Tips
Finally, quick hacks to make the whole thing that much more painful:
- Keep important travel documents and essentials in your coat or pockets, so they’re safe and always on hand.
- Keep in-flight essentials like headphones, reading material and water at the top of your bag so you don’t need to awkwardly rummage.
- Don’t forget an eye mask and some quality sponge earplugs if you need to catch some shut-eye on the red eye.
- Flying can be harsh on your body so if you’re skyward bound don’t forget to take a few select grooming essentials. Along with travel versions of your favourite products, we’d recommend packing some gentle cleansing face wipes, a breath freshener and eye drops to keep you looking and feeling on form.
- Track your flight. Install the Flight Track Pro app on your iOS or Android device.
