Smart packing tips for business travelers
"Why do you have so much luggage?" I asked my father recently when he had packed two suitcases for a 3-day conference in Nice. "Business attire darling: suits, shoes, something smart-casual for the evenings and I can't repeat clothes", he said in an annoyed but resigned tone. Such a pain to pack for business.You want to be comfortable and not look like a loser at the same time. But the more stylishly you dress -- although you may look great -- you may not feel that great at security check when you beep and are asked to strip, or on the flight when your big earrings keep poking you as you try to sleep.
Here are some pointers from a piece that tells you how to edit your wardrobe to a minimum when traveling for business in order to avoid hassles at security and make it for a week maintaining a token of style:
- So that you don't ding: change your suit buttons to plastic so you won't beep, get a plastic watch -- for e.g. Swatch -- plastic yet stylish and acceptable; don't wear a belt; put all your jewelery in your handbag until you pass security.
- So that you won't have to strip: wear slip on shoes -- no boots or laces! Don't wear many layers, or a hat.
- So that you can look stylish without having too much luggage: Limit your color palette so that everything matches with everything. Take dark colors -- they don't get dirty quickly and you can wear them twice. For women: carry multifunctional accessories and shoes! And remember, your hotel will have same day laundry facilities -- plan to use them!
Filed under: Business
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jun 8th 2008 @ 9:51PM
cbct said...
I can pack for up to 10 days with two bags: my carry-on rolling office (McKlein leather with removable handle & wheels) and a 21" expandable rolling carry on (Briggs and Riley Transcend). Anything valuable goes in the rolling office, which comes on board and goes overhead except on smaller regional jets (then underneath the seat in front). My packing suggestions: 1 business shirt per day, 1 pair of slacks for every 2 days - dark colored to hide any stains. Minimize ties by planning on 1 for every two days, but make sure your shirts look different enough so people won't notice the tie and slacks are the same (and don't wear them back to back either). Buy wrinkle-free shirts and slacks (i.e. Brooks Brothers and better). If you need to wear a jacket for business, then wear it when you travel and hang it frequently in your car, on the plane, etc., so it stays wrinkle-free. A lightweight sweater at night can go over a t-shirt or that same shirt you wore during the day (assuming you're not exposed to tropical heat!), minimizing any casual clothes. The t-shirt I wear underneath it I can then air out and wear some other night or to sleep in. Travel in loafers that slip off easily, look into Casio G-Force plastic watches (don't usually need to come off at security and have many other uses including very accurate time), and make sure your shirt/jacket has a pocket you can easily slip your boarding pass into as you pass through security. Travel with earplugs and an inflatable neck pillow if you can get used to them. Buy an extra phone/PDA charger and keep it in your suitcase.
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