#AskPedro – What I pack for a business trip
Globe-Trotter luggage from Betty Hemmings.
This question comes from reader Marek:
I’m simplifying my closet to a suitcase. Outside of the unmentionables and overcoats, what nine items make the trip?
My response:
I happen to be packing right now for a business trip to Europe so my mind is very much on this question. (Please see this post for advice on packing for a warm-weather vacation). I like the idea of packing light but I also insist on dressing my best. That often requires options, so that you can appropriately react to different occasions while also being free to express yourself. That said, if I were to slim down my wardrobe to the bare bones, it would include:
2 coats – one blazer and one sport jacket, which gives you the most options
3 shirts – I’d stick with shades of blue and no patterns so you can easily mix and match
2 trousers – one khaki and one seasonal (grey flannel or worsted in fall/winter – tan linen/cotton in spring/summer)
2 pairs of shoes – one classic leather oxford or derby and one seasonal (chukkas for fall/winter – loafers for spring/summer)
And obviously you would wear one each of the above on the airplane, which saves on packing space. For in-flight shoes, I recommend a slip-on that isn’t too precious: it’s nice to be able to slip it off mid-flight yet it may get damaged along the way. If you’re going somewhere cold, sneak in a cardigan or light sweater that you can layer under one of the jackets. And bring as many ties and pocket squares as you wish as they take up very little space and give you options depending on the event and how you’re feeling.
I also make sure to bring wardrobe care items with me. This way I’m self-reliant should there be a stain or loose button. These include:
plastic travel shoe trees – lighter than wood while keeping your shoes in shape
shoe brush – my shoes seem to get dirtier when I travel than when I’m at home
clothes brush – most marks and scuffs can easily be removed with a brisk brushing
laundry bar soap – because the best way to get stains out is to not wait until you’ve flown home
needle and thread – for reattaching buttons and other minor repairs
shoe wax and buffing cloth – helps you easily deal with minor scuffs and restore your shoe’s finish
I am often tempted to simplify things further, on a short trip, by even planning outfits for each day. However, this never works. Once I’m at my destination perhaps the weather is not what I anticipated or an event is more or less formal than I thought, or maybe one of my shirts is stained too badly. Therefore I opt for packing an assortment of basic pieces that compliment each other and can be worn in various ways.
If you have your own travelling tips and advice, please share them below in the comments.
4 Comments
Michael Barrett
June 13, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Pedro Mendes
June 14, 2016 at 10:20 am
416expat
June 14, 2016 at 7:57 pm
Vabon
June 16, 2016 at 1:03 am
Good list, Pedro. I spent 7 years traveling extensively worldwide, often to radically different climates so I tended to travel light when possible. Check Lists were my Life!! I had Check Lists for various length trips so it was easy to decide what to toss in what size bag for any trip. I still use Check Lists for both my “never leave the airport” short travel and my one to four week Cuba trips. I cut my coat/jacket allowance down to one dark navy blazer. Goes with the grey flannels and the tan chinos. Shirts depend on the duration of the trip but I normally take at least one long sleeve and one short sleeve in light blue/stripes but if I’m going to Asia, a White Shirt must be part of the plan. Mantra: Always Wear Business Dress for the flight so your good stuff doesn’t get packed. I take a tan trench coat if I’m going where it will be very wet, (London!) otherwise the short umbrella in my bag will do. Dress black slip-ons for travel(especially if I’m going to be subject to USA TSA inspections but other shoes (I take runners) only if I’m going to have free “walking around time” at my destination, otherwise it’s wasting space. Forget all those shoe brushes and clothes brushes- hotels always have all that stuff and often someone to take care of it, often at no charge. I never take shoe trees (the local paper does fine after reading and absorbs moisture too) but I DO take a pant hanger and if I’m going to need to check a bag because I’m packing documents or tools or both, I also take a plastic hanger with a swivel hook so I can rinse out a shirt and hang to dry. Traveling to and working in places like Africa or Asia leaves you grimy/sweaty at the end of the day and a quick rinse and a dry in the aircon means you can make 2 shirts last a week and always look crisp. Of course, there is always a limit to how light one can pack and still not look like a bum. I have no problem dumping used items that are beyond redemption and buying something fresh en-route if needed. An anecdote that you, as a stylish person might appreciate: I once did a stint of several months in West Africa. I took a small bag lightly packed as above, and a shoulder-bag for documents/electronics. I was traveling with a colleague who dragged a giant suitcase (complete with heavy luggage strap) and a big briefcase all the way through England, Europe and Cameroon. He had clothes for every occasion. Never wore most of them. At one point, as we were relaxing in a sweltering bar with giant quarts of icy-cold beer (“33” for you connoisseurs) he said “How is it you always look so well-dressed and classy when you brought nothing but a few things in a small bag and I’m struggling to look presentable with all the stuff I’m packing about?” He was a Brit and a bit chuffed. I said “Rinsing”. But I’ll admit that I almost didn’t make it. Our last night in Douala before we caught our flight “Out of Africa”, I noticed that my black slip-ons were just about rotted through on the sides and my dress flannels had pretty well rotted out the crotch as well. My Blazer was still looking good. (I still have it!! Recently cleaned and worn on my last Cuba trip.) and I had one shirt drip-drying under the hotel air-con and one clean one to wear on the plane. My other stuff except for a change of socks and underwear went into the hotel trash basket. My colleague and I parted in Frankfurt, he to go on to a stopover in London (still schlepping his giant suitcase) and me to head to Vancouver. I saw him off, headed to the Men’s Room, threw my shoes, pants, shirt, socks and underwear into the garbage bin, put on my jeans, sport socks, clean underwear, my last clean shirt, my runners and my blazer and was “Mr. Casual Classic” on the flight home. Lufthansa comped me a vast quantity of fine German Beer LHA to YVR. I don’t recommend going QUITE that far “traveling light”.
Some great ideas in there, Michael and thanks for sharing the story!
Thanks for posting Michael – I enjoyed your comment as much as Pedro’s original article!
When you “rinse” the shirt, do you use soap? And do you iron afterwards? My understanding was that if you iron a white shirt that’s not 100% clean, it will set the stains and ruin the shirt.
I have been myself an intense business traveller for the last 15 years, and after years of efforts to make the lightest luggage possible, I came to the conclusion that in the modern era of 4-wheel trolleys and taxis available everywhere, it did not matter so much after all. Now I travel regularly with a large suitcase and a suit-holder as a cabin luggage, so I can bring a choice of clothes and an adequate number of pairs of shoes.