What to Pack for Business Travel

Go from airplane mode to presentation mode.

When your home base is in Chicago, but you need to oversee all the happenings at our six Clubhouses across the country, you become a pro at traveling—and more specifically, packing. That’s the story of Lori, our senior events manager. If anyone can fit an entire work wardrobe into one carry-on bag, it’s her. Read on for Lori’s very real (and very stylish) business travel wardrobe and packing tips.

Desk to dinner:

When traveling, multitasking pieces are key. A layering tee looks great under a blazer for work and also under a denim jacket for dinner or drinks.

Color strategy:

“Packing darker colors is something I think about,” Lori says. “Because when you're traveling, you don't always have access to laundry.”

Lori’s packing tip:

Store an extra shirt in a Ziploc in your personal item. That way, if you’re checking a bag, or someone spills on you (yes, she’s speaking from personal experience), you have something to change into.

Airport outfit must-have:

Slip-on sneakers. They make going through airport security a breeze.

Lori’s favorite piece:

Joggers. They’re great to lounge around in after a long day or to wear with a tee and denim jacket for flights.

Keep it simple:

If you’re only going to be traveling for a few days, keep colors and patterns simple. They’re easier to match if you need to throw together an outfit on the fly.

How to look polished:

“I always try to think of wrinkle-free options, especially if I’m headed to an event right from the plane. I never travel with linen.”

Why it works:

Part of packing efficiently means trying not to take up too much space in your suitcase. That’s why midi dresses are a traveling woman’s best friend.

One more thing:

Lori loves a sturdy work bag (pictured in the slideshow below). If it looks sleek on the outside, it doesn’t matter what’s inside. Which in Lori’s case could be a laptop, Goldfish crackers, her kids’ stuffed animals, a planner, and a bottle of Diet Coke (with one sip left, of course).