One key to packing light for business travel is to wear a suit for the flight out, assuming that suits are required dress for the trip. Two suits will suffice for up to an entire week if they are rotated every other day, and if one of them is worn only one other need be packed.
The best travel suits of course are those that resist wrinkling. There are two excellent choices for that task that I know of, the less common of them being mohair when such can be found (and not the 70% wool lightweight stuff either). Dormeuil's Tonik for example may have some sheen but it wears like iron. The same is true of the 15-16 ounce (435-465 gram) version of Minnis' Fresco. Both cloths wear cooler than their weight might suggest and are comfortable nine months of the year (for summer travel simply substitute lighter weight fresco, Finmeresco or another high twist cloth).
Wear the travel suit with a pair of dress slipon shoes and pack a second pair that should ideally also be slipons so that either pair will ease the process of passing through airport security. Add a dress shirt for each day plus one for an extra change, a couple of knit neckties and the usual accessories. Everything should fit in a hard sided carryon about the same size as the one in the illustration.
And that is my version of packing light for business.
You might also be interested in a new ASW post on bespoke shoes now online at Forbes Lifestyle.
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10 comments:
only 2 suits for 4 days--it seems so limiting. I like to at least have a 3 day rotation.
This post hits the spot for me since I leave for England on Wednesday.
I already toyed with the idea of wearing a suit from A to B to cut it out of the luggage, though this has been upset at the last moment by the mysterious disappearance of my summer suit from the dry cleaners.
I'll have to work a versatile jacket in somehow.
I wondered why you remarked that the slip-ons were more convenient for airport security?
So do I Sean but that's not packing light now is it?
Roger, easy on easy off. I once nearly missed a flight while I re-laced my boots.
Very sensible as ever. My preferred solution is two suits as you suggest but only one pair of shoes, and these are lace-ups. I find that the line up in placs like JFK give one ample time to loosen the laces. If you put them in the conveyor belt the right way round you can get them out and on while the security detail are still checking to see if your toothbrush is in fact a Glock. So, while I appreciate the convenience of slip ons I don't like wearing them for business. In addition I like to travel with gym kit so bury my shoe trees in my trainers. An extra pair of dress shoes in my bag would have me looking like Imelda Marcos. Finally I economise on shirts. If I am out for a 5 day week I'll bring three and rely on room service to maintain them.
Very helpful post, as always! May I ask ask a few questions to you and your readers, Will?
1) If you were doing this trip in the winter, what would you do with your overcoat on the plane?
2) Do you carry an additional bag for papers, books, etc., or only the one carry-on bag with everything in it?
3) Can you recommend a nice carry-on bag that won't break the bank?
4) Lastly, like your other reader, I pack my sneakers, so I am limited to one pair of shoes when doing carry-on. My field (higher-ed) is "business casual" so I wear a sport coat on the travel day (rather than a suit). Can you name a pair of airport-friendly slip-ons that are dressy enough to go with a sport coat and tie for business events but casual enough to go with chinos and a plaid shirt for museum going etc. during down time?
Thank you!
W, correct, lace-ups for new too. Fresco is often too rustic for CBD business, but some Finmeresco may be fine.
I can personally attest to the 15-16 oz Fresco holding its shape for travel--great stuff unless it's cold. A chilly breeze will deliver its message right THROUGH the trousers!
I'd love to hear more about Tonik.
Matthew,
1) Depending on the class of service I would hang my coat or put it in the overhead.
2) I carry a computer bag/briefcase.
3) There are a myriad of canvas bags out there but I have no personal experience with them.
4) Alden penny loafers.
Will, For use as a 9 month travel suit in the Tonik or Fresco would you half or quarter line the jacket or just leave it fully lined? I've always been interested to hear your take on if the lack of lining speeds wear and tear as well.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Youngin, if anything the lining wears out a lot faster than the unlined cloth. My travel suits are either half or quarter lined depending on the weight.
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