Business Casual Outfits For Work Travel
Business Casual Outfits For Work Travel
Your choice of clothing could influence how you are perceived socially, convey your standing and status, and how well rounded your personality is, concludes a study on 'Appearance Management Behaviour.'
Dressing for work is a 24*7 job. Even when you aren't on the office premises, your wardrobe choices still send out social cues to your fellow workers, business associates, and clients. When you are traveling for work, whether intercity, intracity, or flying across the globe, your clothes set the tone for the first impression you'll create on your business associates as you step out for work in new environs.
Since your clothing choices contribute significantly to the way people perceive and interact with you, leverage the power of a well put together work travel wardrobe to leave a stellar impression, one look at a time. We've put together a few essential points and some tips and tricks that will help you dial up your travel wardrobe game. Without further ado, here you go:
1. Essential Questions to Answer Before You Begin Packing for the Trip
What is the goal of this work travel trip? Who will be your audience? What cultural norms should you be aware of? Are there any colors, outfits, or taboos to avoid? What kind of meetings will you be having? What would the settings be like? What's the weather forecast for your travel dates?
In answering the questions above, you'll be saving yourself from a lot of major and minor mishaps like culture shocks, being caught dead in a woolen jacket in the tropics, walking on cobbled streets in stilettos or living down the embarrassment of sweaty underarms in a formal meeting. Plan your travel wardrobe according to the customs, cultural norms, and weather of the place you are visiting. Do not forget to consider the kind of audience you'll be addressing and the trip's goals.
2. Creating the Right Kind of Looks for Your Business Travel Needs
Monochromatic or two-toned dresses that are form-fitting look smart yet appropriately business formal. This way, you can match the same pair of shoes with two or more looks. Blacks, navy blues, reds, and neutrals can be worn in endless combinations on diverse occasions.
Pack a well-cut jacket to introduce layering or a pashmina stole to add a dash of glitz to your travel style. If you have a couple of oft-worn looks that garner compliments, pack them in. Include a pouch of matching yet minimalist accessories to add flair to your looks.
Ensure formal business suits are complemented with the right accessories. Pack an extra pair of formal pants and a blouse for emergencies. Incorporate easy wardrobe changes like switching out of the formal jacket into a fancy dinner jacket for a day-to-night look.
If you are big on the health and wellness lifestyle, don't forget to pack fitness apparel and accessories. Also, add a pair of comfy pajamas to change into at the end of a tiring day.
3. Packing the Right Footwear for Business Travel
Always carry a pair of comfortable, flat, formal shoes in a neutral color, so you can pair them with formal and casual clothing. Only pack well-worn, tried-and-tested footwear. Don't even think of breaking in a new pair of pumps on an official trip. A pair of sports shoes that double up as gym gear also comes in handy for those walking around the city excursions. Pack a pair of day-to-night pumps for formal and after-hours occasions.
Shoes take up a lot of packing space, so sticking to a color theme with outfits in similar color ranges will drastically reduce the number of shoes that need to be carried.
4. Packing Efficiently
Use these packing tips and tricks to utilize space judiciously:
- Insert accessory pouches, lingerie bags, socks, and other knick-knacks inside shoes/pumps.
- Roll your clothes to fit them in more snugly.
- Perfume bottles and other makeup items can be squeezed into the corners and crevices between clothes.
- Place jackets and heavier clothing items on top.
Remember, traveling light doesn't mean you show up in the same two outfits throughout your work trip. If your trip extends over a longer duration, pack in an extra suitcase with proper looks for all occasions. The goal is to create the best impression, not to show how ingenious your mix-and-match skills are.
These days, women have a lot of room to maneuver as business casual attire is gradually being accepted as formal business attire, so you have a lot of flexibility to incorporate trendy dresses, cuts, and fit styles.
To sum up, avoid wardrobe experimentation on business trips, stick to classic looks in solid or neutral colors, pack tried and tested footwear, smart accessories, and a cheerful disposition to get the most out of your trip.
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Business Casual Travel Wardrobe - Picture Source: Marie Claire
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