When it comes to business travel, the old saying, “It’s not the destination, but the journey…” doesn’t really apply. Except for the final destination, there is very little about business travel that can be described as enjoyable, especially not the packing and inevitable unpacking that follows.
Whether you are traveling for a couple of days or a week, packing light is synonymous with business travel and getting the most out of your wardrobe is an absolute must. Think strategic packing with minimum pieces —everything that goes into your luggage needs to be versatile and interchangeable. With all the miles logged by yours truly, I’ve learned a few things about traveling without sacrificing style. Here is my simple packing guide for looking professional and stylish during business travel.
The Briefcase
Always carry your work materials and travel documents in a briefcase or travel bag. This should remain with you at all times and never be checked in. Jack Spade is the king of travel bags and briefcases for men. They have many different styles that fit everyone’s unique travel needs. The Summit Leather Document Brief, $395 is particularly a great pick.
The Carry-All Luggage
The luggage is where it all begins. When you are a frequent traveler, the luggage is going to be the most important piece you’ll have, so it is wise to invest in something that is not only good looking but also both functional and well-made. My best pick for traveling bag is the Wheeled Duffle Bag from Filson, $495. Depending on the length of travel, you can go from a medium-sized carry-on to an extra large bag to check in.
Packing Essentials
The essentials of business travel and packing really breaks down to suits, shirts, shoes, accessories and casuals. Depending on how long you’re traveling, the amount of each garment that you bring will vary. For a typical week long trip, I would recommend two suits, two shirts, one or two ties, a pair of lace-ups, a pair of loafers, one or two polos, a pair of khakis/jeans and a cardigan.
Suits
Solid suiting such as navy and grey are trending for Spring and Summer, which is perfect for business travel. Navy and shades of gray are neutral, and packing these colored suits will generate several different wardrobe options. If you travel often, consider wrinkle resistant fabrics for your suits. Lora Piana’s Traveler and Travelight collection of fabrics is an excellent choice for the businessman constantly on the go.
Shirts
When it comes to shirts, make sure you pack ones that are versatile and can be worn with any of your suits. Solid colored shirts or ones with subtle patterns like thin pinstripes, mini herringbone or twills are smart choices — they are extremely simple to pair and completely interchangeable within your wardrobe.
For this season, try giving your shirts some pop with a saturated pink or royal blue. It will give more life to the current solid color trend in suits. Even so, never underestimate the importance of a white shirt — always pack one, because when in doubt, nothing can go wrong with a simple, crisp white shirt!
Ties
The tie is one of the first things someone notices in a man’s outfit. When packing ties for your business trip, think simple. What works best is a subtle tie with an all-over neat pattern, a small dot or a classy stripe in neutral colors. Don’t go crazy with your prints here!
Shoes
When your travels extend into the weekend, it’s essential to pack two pairs of shoes with you: a pair of lace-ups and loafers. Black lace-ups are a classic, while brown ones are more fashion forward and make more of a statement. Either one is acceptable since they both work in perfect harmony with navy and grays. For causal Fridays or when your business meeting turns into a social outing, it’s nice to have a pair of loafer within reach.
Casuals
For those days not spent at the office, you’ll need comfortable clothes to carry you through the day. Some casual must-haves to bring are polo shirts, khakis/jeans and cardigans. These three items will keep you comfortable without sacrificing style.
Polos are the perfect in-between — more casual than a dress shirt but more formal than a T-Shirt —making them perfect for casual Fridays at the office, a social meeting or a weekend out on the town if your schedule permits. The same idea goes for khakis and jeans. Depending on how you wear them, they can take you from day to night.
Week’s Wardrobe
Need some help putting it all together? Don’t worry — it’s totally understandable! Here are some ways you can put all these items together for a week-long business trip.
- Day 1: Navy suit, shirt, tie, lace-ups
- Day 2: Gray suit, shirt, tie, lace-ups
- Day 3: Navy jacket, gray pants, shirt, tie, lace-ups
- Day 4: Gray jacket, navy pants, shirt, tie, lace-ups
- Day 5: Navy jacket, khakis/jeans, polo, loafers and cardigan (if needed)
- Day 6: Shirt, tie, cardigan, navy or gray pants, lace-ups
- Day 7: Polo, cardigan, khakis/jeans, loafers
And there you have it: a simple guide to packing stylishly and minimally for business travel!
Shao Yang is the Lead Style Advisor for A Suit That Fits, the London-originated custom suit company.
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