How To Pack For A Business Trip

Business man - Credit: iStockPhoto.com

When you’re on a
business trip, dressing for success is essential. You might be meeting a lot of people for the first time and need to make a good impression. In this scenario, let yourself be guided by the notion that clothes make the man. We’ll show you what the must-pack pieces are for a two- to three-day business trip. These essentials will let you create a multitude of ensembles that will get you through formal daytime events and meetings as well as evening dinner or cocktail meet and greets.

To help you pack for a business trip and learn the secrets for folding everything properly so that your clothes stay wrinkle-free while in transit, keep reading.

Ted Baker Emptied suit - Credit: BlueFly.comTed Baker Emptied suit

For a short business trip, there’s absolutely no need to pack more than one suit. Since you’ll literally need to wear it day and night, the suit you pack for a business trip should have a classic cut and be a neutral color like navy blue or gray because these hues are easy to match with different dress shirts and ties.

Ted Baker’s two-button, wool charcoal pinstripe suit is simple but refined and suggests the wearer is a self-possessed and ambitious man. When worn to a business meeting, it’ll definitely help you seal any impending deals you may have on the horizon. Modern fit, flat-front trousers with a tapered leg also mean that in the evening, all you have to do to make your ensemble appropriate for more casual get-togethers is remove the blazer and tie.

Land’s End dress shirt - Credit: LandsEnd.comLand’s End dress shirt

Bring no more than three dress shirts with you when you pack for a business trip, and try to cut it down to two if you can. Aside from a white dress shirt, pack a colored one for a bit of variety and to increase the number of looks you can get out of your travel wardrobe. Land’s End offer easy-to-iron fine cotton shirts that don’t cost a fortune. In addition to being easy on your bank account, straightforward, no-nonsense design means this shirt will pair nicely with a variety of suits and ties.

This one in light French blue with a straight collar will look smart but sufficiently relaxed when worn with Ted Baker’s pinstripe dress pants. For dressy evening events, put your blazer back on and add a tie with a subtle sheen that complements your suit and your shirt.

Barba dress shirt - Credit: BlueFly.comBarba dress shirt

A plain white dress shirt is an unavoidable must when it comes to any trip you take, and it’s particularly useful on a business trip because it’s all-purpose and always looks stylish and tasteful. This one from Barba is a great example of a shirt you should pack for a business trip. Made from high-quality, woven grosgrain cotton, it has pearlescent buttons and a contemporary fit, and it will show others that you pay attention to details.

Of course, no one will be impressed when you show up wearing a shirt that looks like it’s been sitting scrunched up at the bottom of your closet for days. A particularly effective way for getting rid of shirt wrinkles without ironing is to hang your dress shirts from the shower railing as soon as you get to your hotel, then blast the hot water in the shower without wetting your shirt and close the door. It may seem wasteful, but five minutes of this steaming treatment will give you a perfect, wrinkle-free shirt.

Thomas Pink silk tie - Credit: ThomasPink.comThomas Pink silk tie

For the ultimate daytime dress-to-impress look, mix your suit with a crisp white dress shirt and a luxurious-looking tie in a rich hue, like this one from Thomas Pink. Over two yards of fine silk were folded seven times in the production of this tie, and although it has a traditional design dating back to the 1800s, it still manages to be incredibly posh in a modern way. Plus, a gray suit with a maroon-colored tie exudes power, and this time-tested combination will make you appear confident and capable.

Generally, when you pack for a business trip that’s only a few days long, you should include two ties: one for business occasions and another that can be worn on a night out if necessary.

Forzieri silk satin tie - Credit: Forzieri.comForzieri silk satin tie

To add an interesting element to your work wardrobe that shows your unique style, try playing around with the second tie you bring on your trip. A metallic tie, particularly one with a slight shine that’s not overly bright, is a good choice to pack for a business trip.

Forzieri’s elegant solid silk satin tie will look amazing whether you wear it with a white or blue dress shirt. If you’re in a hurry while transitioning from daytime to formal evening events, simply put your tie in your bag in the morning and swap ties en route from one function to another. To pack ties so that they don’t get scrunched up, roll them and place them vertically in your suitcase.

Aldo Plegmund loafers - CRedit: AldoShoes.comAldo Plegmund loafers

A basic black loafer is your best bet when considering which shoes to pack for a business trip. Aldo’s black leather loafers have a slight heel, are extremely affordable and are easy to slip in and out of. With a gray suit, black shoes are pretty much the only ones you should be wearing, and once you’re back home, you’ll also be able to pair them with some dark denim and a blazer for a night out.

taking care of business

The list of what to pack for a business trip may not seem very long and you might be concerned that you won’t have enough clothes to wear, but these items are truly all you need for a short stay elsewhere.

Make sure to bring a hanger for your suit and pack it properly. Get a small suit bag if you don’t already have one. Many airlines will allow you to bring your suit on the plane and hang it in the closet onboard, but call ahead to avoid any nasty surprises. If you need to fold your suit, invest in a suitcase designed to carry suits properly.

Preparing for a work-related trip is easy when you follow our tips and pack right. Even if it’s your first professional trip, you’ll seem like you’ve been taking care of business all your life.
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