Pack Smarter: 4 Tips to Nailing Your Business Trip Packing
Have you ever found yourself rushing into your hotel room with minutes to spare before your next business meeting starts and realizing that none of the things you packed actually match? Maybe that blue skirt doesn’t really go with that shade of green on the blouse you brought, or maybe that patterned pant suit would look so much better with the basic white top you left at home. Fear no more, I’m here to show you how to pack smarter and better and still look like a million bucks.
Tip 1 – Stick to the basics. Choose one neutral color to work around with and stick to it. Business trips are usually not very long so you have the benefit of only having to bring 2 or 3 bottom options and a few tops. Make sure your bottoms, shoes, and handbag showcase the main color you chose but have a bit more fun when it comes to your blouses and tops.
Tip 2 – Choose multipurpose items. Pick pieces than can be reworked into several outfits and occasions. Try traveling in a pair of pants that you can later reuse for a more casual meeting. Or bring a printed sweater you can throw over a plain dress to make it look like you’re wearing a skirt, you can later use that same sweater with a basic pant and voila, three options out of three pieces in no time.
Tip 3 – Pack accessories, lots of them. Put your smaller jewellery, like your rings and earrings, in an old medicine bottle or a pill case compartment organizer to keep them from disappearing in your jewellery bag. Another option is to simply thread a string through your rings and tie them together to keep track of them; for your earrings just fasten them through buttonholes and problem solved. If you are taking necklaces that tend to get snarled, unclasp them and string the chain through a straw to keep them from knotting and tangling.
Tip 4 – Roll your clothes. Fold your tops, skirts, and pants in half the long way; then roll them up as tight as you can and fill up the little unused spots in your suitcase to maximize you packing space. This also helps to prevent clothes from wrinkling, but in case they do end up creasing just place them on a hanger and pop them in the bathroom with you while you shower. The steam from the hot water will smooth them out and leave them looking like new.
Article originally written for styleninetofive.com
* Image courtsy of cosmopolitan.