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While we’d all love to be heading on vacation with every flight, at least 12 percent of those flying pre-pandemic were corporate travelers. In fact, in 2019, business travelers took 464 million domestic business trips in the United States. Now, business travel is slowly but surely picking back up.
As corporate travel often requires stepping off the plane and into a meeting, your plane outfit will likely look different than it does during leisure travel. You’ll want to pack versatile clothes that easily transition from day to night, comfortable yet dressy shoes, and sleek luggage. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the business travel essentials below that will take you from the jet bridge to the boardroom without sacrificing form over function.
Essentials for work trip outfits
Aday Something Borrowed shirt
Aday gives the classic white button-up a contemporary twist with its mandarin collar. Buttoned up, worn as an outer layer, or tucked in, the shirt is a versatile addition to the brand’s capsule wardrobe collection and your business wardrobe. The shirt is made of Aday's ‘Technical Silk’, a blend of nylon and elastane that dries quickly and resists wrinkling. Even better, it's made with UPF 50—you can never have too much sun protection. The cherry on top? The material is created in a renewable energy-powered mill.
Aday Turn It Around pant
Another Aday classic is the lightweight Turn It Around Pant. With claims from the company that the material is piling resistant up to 100,000 rough touches, you can expect to wear this pant again and again. The stretch fabric is thermoregulating and made in Italy. Slip these on with a pair of sneakers for your commute, then throw on heels as you head into the office. No one will be the wiser.
M.M. LaFleur Lagarde shirt
M.M. LaFleur’s Lagarde shirt has all the components of other travel-friendly business clothes: it’s lightweight, machine washable, and wrinkle resistant. It has also been treated with an anti-odor finish, meaning smells don’t absorb into the material as easily. That means more wear and less laundry. Details like the gold-colored buttons and slightly textured fabric add an elevated sense of luxury to the shirt.
M.M. LaFleur The Zhou culotte
A good culotte pant can give the illusion of limitless power, and the extra pleat on the sides of the Zhou offer an added swoosh. The high-waisted pants are wrinkle-resistant and loose enough for you to cross your legs on the floor of the airport but elevated enough to make a statement in the office. The fabric is wrinkle-resistant and made from wood pulp.
xSuit 3.0
Suiting up? Suits are notoriously stiff, but the xSuit was created to be comfortable even in transit. With a wrinkle-resistant stretch fabric that gives you back your range of motion, this suit is a one of our business travel essentials. It’s also machine washable and stain resistant, ideal for trips where you plan to do laundry or need to walk off the plane business ready.
Ministry of Supply Aero Zero shirt
Button-up shirts are surprisingly versatile, going from day to night with the loosening of a collar. The Aero Zero Shirt has a relaxed fit, is machine washable, and dries quickly. Like any good travel shirt, the material of the Aero Zero Shirt is wrinkle-resistant and offers lightweight comfortability without losing its quality. It’s also made of 100 percent recycled fabric. The shirt’s moisture-wicking technology will keep you dry and cool on warmer days, too.
Ministry of Supply Kinetic tapered pant
While the Kinetic Tapered Pant looks like a dress pant, don’t be fooled. Between the stretch and moisture-wicking components of the warp-knit Japanese polyester, these pants are meant to be lived in. They’re comfortable enough to wear all day while maintaining an edge with the tapered fit. The addition of the hidden drawcord gives you a sleek, belt-free look (a time-saver when going through TSA). Even better, they are machine washable and wrinkle resistant.
Everlane The Dream Pant
This pair of pants lives up to its name, bringing to life the dream of wearing sweatpants to work. The structured design of the fabric gives it a professional feel, while the elastic waist and double-knit fabric promise to keep you comfortable on your next red-eye. Naturally, the material is also wrinkle-resistant.
Business casual shoes
Koio Capri sneaker in Avorio
A classic white sneaker is a staple in any wardrobe, and these minimalistic leather Koio sneakers promise to accompany you wherever you need to go. Handmade from LWG Gold-certified Italian leather and fitted with an OrthoLite Hybrid insole, the chic sneakers require little to no break-in time. These shoes do run slightly large, so size down when you order.
Naturalizer Felicia slingback pointed toe pump
Naturalizer is a favorite shoe brand among flight attendants for a reason. These shoes offer comfort that can last through long shifts and longer airport terminal walks. The Felicia slingback is no exception, with a timeless style that can sharpen any outfit. The heel of these pumps is low enough for novice heel-wearers, and the ankle strap keeps the shoe secure across all kinds of pavement. Additional cushioning in the insole ensures your feet will stay comfortable over hours of wear.
Pashion Footwear Coal Knit pump
Pashion shoes were created as a product that could be worn from night to day, commute to happy hour. The shoes have a patented design that converts heels to flats with a few easy twists. These multi-purpose pumps are especially helpful for small carry-on bags, allowing you to essentially bring two pairs of shoes while only needing space for one. One thing to note if you’re planning on wearing them as flats, most Pashion shoes need to be broken in a bit before they lay all the way flat.
Amberjack Original Shoe
These aren’t your typical dress shoes, most of which pinch your toes without offering any support. With a foam that forms around your foot to deliver tailored support, they’re comfortable enough to withstand a long walk between terminals. The laser-perforated sheepskin lining increases airflow (which in return reduces sweaty feet). The shoes are made with A-grade hides from American steer, and the outsole is made from a durable blend of athletic and hiking material. You may not want to hit the trails with these, but they can go everywhere else.
Del Toro Milano loafer
Handcrafted in Italy, these sleek Del Toro loafers promise you won’t have to sacrifice form over function. The beautiful shoe’s detailing includes red stitching at the back and an understated criss-cross on the front of the Napa leather exterior. The rubber sole gives the shoe additional grip, and the style is easy to slip on and off while going through airport security. They do run larger than your average loafer, so order a half size lower than you would normally.
Carry-on bags
Away Daily Carry-On
If you're going to have to run through the airport to catch a flight, do it with the Away Daily Carry-On which has 360° roller wheels. It's compact enough to be considered a carry-on item on most airlines (though it’s always good to double-check dimensions before you head to the airport), and the exterior pocket offers easy access for a 13” laptop, and a removable three-compartment accordion can keep any documents organized in transit. This carry-on is lightweight and portable, making it as useful on a daily commute as on business trips. Add a personal touch with a monogram stamp on the included luggage tag (just $10).
Monos Carry On Pro
The small but mighty Monos Carry On Pro is perfect for short business trips that don’t require a checked bag. The suitcase fits inside most overhead bins, and the TSA-approved lock ensures your zippers will stay in place. With an additional front compartment that fits a 15” laptop, you can slide in and out of TSA quickly (though you'll move even faster with TSA Pre-Check). The suitcase is made of lightweight but durable polycarbonate and includes antimicrobial laundry bags and a compression system to help you make the most of the space inside. It comes in eight colors, plulimited edition hues.
July Carry All Weekender Plus
The Carry All Weekender Plus is a versatile bag that fits plenty with its 50L capacity, including a padded pocket big enough for a 16” laptop. It offers travel-friendly designs such as a clamshell opening and a magnetic-closure external pocket for passports and boarding passes. The pass-through band also makes it easy to keep everything together by sliding your All Weekender Plus onto a roller bag.
