PACK IT UP LIKE A PRO
Get organized for a successful business trip
Whether your business trip is taking you away for one night or out of the country for a couple of weeks, it’s essential to pack only the necessities. So how do you know what you can leave behind without getting a case of separation anxiety?
Eliminate worries and look professional with these simple tips.
Always bet on black: From your suit to your shoes, to your socks or tights, go black. It’s slimming. It’s professional. It transitions easily from day to night.
If you aren’t into all-black everything, mix and match with a few solid neutrals that go together. You can add some interest by pairing a solid neutral with a pretty but neutral print. It also can look chic to go monochromatic — all beige or all gray, for instance — right down to your pumps.
Wrinkle relief: Rolling your clothes will help prevent them from wrinkling. You’ll also be surprised how much space you save by rolling, rather than folding, your clothes. But don’t fill the extra space with heavy stuff.
Less is more; your back and shoulders will thank you.
Keep it simple: Take only a few pieces of simple jewelry that can go with many outfits and look professional. Leave the statement pieces at home. Place necklaces in a small, padded jewelry roll.
Multitask: Find things that double as containers for other items that can be difficult to pack. Pill boxes become easy storage for rings and earrings. Contact cases become travel-size portions of foundation and eye cream. Sunglasses cases become organizers for wires and cords.
There’s no need to spend a lot of money on several specialized travel cases. When in doubt, leave it out: Every few weeks, take a look at everything in your work tote or briefcase.
Is there anything you haven’t touched in the past 30 days? Do you really need to take all of that to London or China with you? Cut the cord.
Carry it on: For those who travel often, waiting on checked luggage can add hours to the whole travel process over the months. If you take advantage of hotel laundry and wash-and-wear clothes and stick to neutral pieces that can mix and match, you don’t need to check a bag for a trip that’s shorter than two weeks.
Wear your heaviest pair of shoes and your suit jacket on the plane to save space and weight. Download books and magazines to save an extra pound or two.
Double duty: Use a two-sided suitcase. This is especially helpful if your trip is for business and pleasure. You can use each side for different purposes (business on the left, party on the right). On meeting day, unpack and then repack the business side; on sightseeing day, only unpack what is necessary for that day.
On a roll: Use a bag with spinner wheels, which can easily maneuver through a crowded airport and requires the least amount of effort on your part. This is especially helpful for preventing shoulder, neck and back pain. Carry-on bags that allow you to attach a laptop bag or purse also make your life easier at the airport and help you keep a handle on everything.
Don’t spill it: Get crafty to prevent liquids from spilling. Cut plastic wrap for each of your liquid bottles. Unscrew the caps and place the plastic wrap over the bottle opening. Replace the cap and even if it pops opens during travel, nothing will spill and ruin your clothes — or your day.
Bring your own hotspot: Airports often charge an arm and a leg to use their Wi-Fi, which sometimes moves at a glacial pace. Avoid the hidden cost of staying connected by bringing your own hotspot.
Portable filtration: Staying hydrated doesn’t have to be expensive. Get a water filtration bottle and reuse it.
One reusable bottle can save up to 600 plastic ones over a lifetime, and most airports now have drinking fountains that accommodate reusable water bottles.
In case of emergency: Prepare a survival kit with OTC pain relievers, bandages and snacks. If you must check a bag, don’t pack your medications in it. In your carry-on, be sure to include a toothbrush and a change of clothes.
Food and drinks at the airport are expensive, and per diems typically are not. To keep your stomach satisfied, pack filling snacks like almonds, power bars and dried fruit to stay fueled.
A really simple rule for packing, as well as for everyday life, is to reduce, reuse, recycle. What are the essentials, what can be reused, what can easily be washed and worn again?