How to Pack Like a Pro for Your Next Business Trip

Whether it’s your first business trip or your third one this month, getting ready for an upcoming trip can be overwhelming. Appearing professional and prepared for a wide range of events including meetings and nights out, among others, can be difficult with limited packing space.

Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to maximize your luggage space without leaving any essentials behind. These tips will help you pack efficiently and be ready for anything that could come up on your upcoming business trip.

Pack Entire Outfits

You probably don’t shop for complete, coordinated looks, and it’s easy enough to put outfits together for a regular night out or day at the office. On the other hand, mixing and matching isn’t usually the best strategy for business trips where saving space is critical.

By planning your outfit for each day in advance—including shoes and accessories—you ensure that you’ll end up wearing everything you decide to take with you while having enough to get you through the trip. It may also be a good idea to invest in a seasonal subscription box. With coordinated pieces shipped to your home, mornings won’t be wasted trying to pull together the perfect look.

Stick to the Basics

It’s always exciting to wear a new outfit for the first time, but a business trip probably isn’t the right occasion for fashion experiments. Instead, pack outfits you’ve worn multiple times and that you know will make you feel confident and comfortable throughout your trip. This tip will help you avoid the unnecessary stress of wearing an outfit you’re not thrilled with to an important meeting.

Similarly, more fashion-forward or bold pieces should be left at home. Neutral, reliable colors such as navy, beige, grey, and black are easier to rewear or transition from day to night. They can also be mixed and matched with a much wider range of colors and accessories. Depending on the season, pieces from your summer subscription box could be the perfect thing to jazz up otherwise neutral outfits..

Eliminate Unnecessary Items

If you’re not sure whether you’ll end up using something on your trip, you can probably afford to leave it behind. For a three-day business trip, you should be able to manage with one jacket, two bottoms, two tops, and a single dress.

One easy way to start cutting down is by limiting yourself to two pairs of shoes. It may be tempting to bring more, but one pair of comfortable heels and one pair of flats for traveling should be enough to get you through a few days. Check out these space-saving tips if you’re having trouble fitting shoes into your luggage.

Going on a business trip can be stressful enough on its own, and the last thing you want is for your luggage to become another concern. Following these packing tips will ensure that you’re ready for each day of your trip and prepared for work as well as any after-hours events.