Taking Your Clothes on the Road: Dressing for Travel

Article Written by: Steve Brinkman

Everyone travels for business sooner or later. I have some tips to make this often-laborious process much easier. If you’re flying, and bringing a suit or sport coat, always carry it on the airplane in a garment bag. You’ll usually be able to hang it up, and the garment will arrive with a minimum of wrinkles. The zippered bag you receive when purchasing tailored clothing at most stores will work perfectly. Then check the rest of your belongings in a bag with wheels. Rolling bags are essential for easy navigation through airport terminals and to ground transportation. Purchase a smaller bag if most of your business trips will be only up to three days in length. If your trips last three to seven days, select a medium-sized bag. If you travel frequently for a week or more, buy one of those steamer trunks on wheels.

The well-dressed gentleman never travels light. It’s hard to be away from your family and friends and the familiar comforts of home. Packing more of your favorite things will make you feel at ease and confident transacting business on the road. Bring backup clothes in case you soil or damage your first preference. Backup items could include an extra shirt, a tie, a pair of trousers, or a suit, depending on the importance of your meeting and what you’ve experienced in the past.

With all the traveling I’ve done, I have yet to find a reliable way to pack shirts that will avoid wrinkles. I’ve tried packing them in plastic, folding them different ways, and hanging them in the bathroom with the shower on to steam the wrinkles out. None of these methods has worked. Accordingly, I encourage you to become proficient with an iron, as I (sadly) have. Most reputable hotels today have irons. You only have one chance to impress in a business meeting, and a freshly pressed shirt and suit always look crisp and professional. In contrast, most well-made cotton or wool knits for business casual meetings will be wrinkle free in the morning if you hang them up the night before.

If you’re driving, follow the same guidelines outlined above. If you travel routinely as part of your job, consider buying a backseat clothes rack to hang your clothes on. That way, it’s easier to bring more of your wardrobe with you without worrying about it getting wrinkled. You never know how you’re going to feel on any given day, and you want to have the right outfit for any given situation. When you drive a lot, you need to be comfortable and feel at home.

Additional Tips for the Well Dressed Business Traveler

• Make a list of things to take on every trip, based on its duration and primary purpose. There’s nothing worse than forgetting something important on a trip.
• Drink lots of water; it will keep you healthy and your mind focused. It’s tempting to overuse caffeine when you’re tired and to drink extra alcohol when you’ve got a corporate expense account. Water helps your body counteract the effects of both.
• Adopt an exercise regimen that doesn’t require a lot of time or equipment. Regular exercise raises your endorphin levels and keeps your mind focused on the business at hand. Exercise also helps keep weight off.
• When you’re traveling, make frequent use of the store listing in The Men’s Clothing Guide and at www.MensSpecialtyRetail.com. It will expose you to more clothing and help you develop your own sense of style faster. Trust me—shopping is a lot more fun than sitting in your hotel room working on PowerPoint presentations.
• Wear a suit coat as a blazer while traveling, particularly in business casual situations, and especially if you’re building your wardrobe from scratch. Doing so minimizes space requirements during packing while maximizing outfit combinations.
• Finally, to make packing for travel easier, have your closet organized by color. If you’re color-blind (like many men), get your roommate or significant other to help you arrange your closet. Many wardrobe consultants, custom clothiers, and specialty stores offer this service if you’re a regular customer. Label your clothes (on the inside) if necessary to avoid any embarrassing combinations. Then packing for business trips is much easier, whether you’re color-blind or not.
• 12 Commandments of Business Travel
• 1. Keep your dopp kit fully packed with travel-sized toiletry items
  2. Carry a week’s worth of any medications you are currently taking
  3. Pack your dopp kit and one change of everything in your carry-on bag.
  4. Put socks and underwear inside shoes to save space
  5. Wear loafers on the plane; it’s a lot easier going through security
  6. Have your cleaners fold and pack your shirts in plastic for travel
  7. Buy and use a good protective case for carrying ties
  8. Carry a collar stay set
  9. Don’t forget your pocket squares
  10. Pack tailored clothing in a garment bag and carry it on the plane.
  11. Carry a spare charger for your cell phone in your luggage.
  12. Don’t forget an umbrella.