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Are you a powerhouse female entrepreneur or want to look the part? A top notch image consultant shares her best tips on how to pack for a business trip stylishly!
How to Pack for a Business Trip (for Female Entrepreneurs)
Written by: Sharice Styles
Sharice Styles is an international image and visual branding consultant who virtually styles women from all over the world. She’s also traveled to some amazing vacation destinations, including Victoria Falls, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Sharice is going to show you how to pack for a business trip and help you accomplish the task of packing light stylishly and efficiently so you’ll have exactly what you need to conquer the world with a six-figure look. Avoid packing your whole closet and travel light with these tips!
Tee (similar) | Skirt | Heels (similar) | Leather Tote | Scarf | Earring (similar) | Bracelet
Balance basics and investment pieces
Start off the trip with one of your power pieces (in this case, a leather skirt) and mix it with basics such as a classic tee. This way you can get away with wearing it again towards the end of your trip!
No matter what clothing you choose, remember that the right accessories have the power to make or break your look. In this case, they’re the secret to a million dollar look. If you’re at the beginning of your career, balance items from shops such as Zara with classic investment items that won’t go out of style.
TFG shopping tip: TJ Maxx carries awesome jewelry brands and select stores even have a designer “Runway” department.
Dress | Heels (similar) | Leather Tote | Earrings | Necklace (similar)
Look the part
Be sure to use a power dress for the main event, whether you’re speaking, presenting, or book signing. Whatever the main purpose of your trip is, shop around for the perfect item in your personal style will help you look the part.
Whatever you do, make sure this power dress is tailored to fit! In fact, even if your clothing is from a bargain brand, if it fits you well no one will ever be able to tell. Find a tailor and get your capsule wardrobe in check.
These are the best color of heels to wear with all your business looks.
Tee (similar) | Jeans (similar) | Flats (similar) | Leather Tote | Scarf | Earrings | Bracelet
Relaxed look
This look is perfect for dinner and drinks or maybe a class. Be sure to have a relaxed look or two for your “down” time. Add in a touch of style so you’re still representing your brand in the best ways.
Choose polished denim in a medium to dark blue without rips or trendy details. Make sure the pant legs are hemmed for your height. Overly long trouser pants are a surefire giveaway that you are not quite the powerhouse you want to be.
Find discounted designer denim on Amazon.
Cotton Blazer | Leather Skirt | Heels (similar) | Leather Tote | Earrings | Leaves Necklace
Power look
This is another great power look that’s perfect for a main event or when you want to be noticed. It screams “expert in my field” and “force to be reckoned with”!
Another solid item to add to your capsule wardrobe whether for home or abroad is a blazer. This must fit you like a glove! Again, a tailor is your best friend when you’re a female entrepreneur (or just want to have a stylishy chic appearance).
Learn more about how to build the perfect capsule wardrobe!
Cotton Blazer | Jeans (similar) | Heels (similar) | Leather Tote | Watch
Flight home look
If you’re wondering how to pack for a business trip, this is the perfect airplane look for the flight home. (For cold weather, look at these Europe-inspired airplane outfit ideas.)
When traveling, you want to be comfy but chic. I always tell my clients that the right look can get you bumped up to first class, just because you look like you belong there! You can finish up whatever you have going on business-wise in your heels and switch to your flats for the flight home.
Here are a few ways you can feel like you’re flying first class even though you’re still making your way up in economy!
What are your best tips on how to pack for a business trip ? Please comment below!
For more tips, please read:
- 10 Step Guide to Packing in One Bag for Any Trip
- Business Trip Packing Lists for Fashionistas
- What to Pack for Business Conferences
- Minimalist Travel Makeup Kit
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Author Bio: Sharice helps highly visible female entrepreneurs who struggle with body insecurities to align their image and visual branding so they can discover their unique branded style, love the skin they’re in, and attract their ideal clients. Learn more about her services here!
Hi Alex, already loving your tips and insights on improving the way we can travel. Really liked the look of the featured photo for this article! Enjoy your treks and I hope to be in Playa del Carmen soon.
Thank you for your kind words Tamara! Always love hearing from readers that enjoy the site! Happy travels!
Thanks Tamara!!! I had a ball sharing these tips and super excited Alex let me in on the fun 😉
I love that this article has pretty much all the things I packed–not for a business trip though, but for my MA!
While packing for my 2-year MA program abroad, I thought to bring clothes that were more professional–this isn’t just undergrad anymore, after all!–but I wanted versatility most of all. Since I’ll be in a different country AND I’m still a student, albeit a graduate one, I’m sure that there will be times when I need a more relaxed look. That’s why, I purposely chose clothes that I could dress up AND dress down.
And yes, accessorizing with a nice scarf or necklace can really highlight the difference between professional and casual. 😉
Thank you for your comment Dominique! This is perfect and exactly our intention with this post! Congratulations on your MA! (or good luck on yur journey!) It may have been a significantly extended business trip but it certainly qualifies. Thanks again for reading! Happy travels!
Hi Dominique!! I’m so glad that you found some value out of this post!! Congrats on all your travels and on being so stylish.
These are some great trips. Too bad I couldn’t have read this article before attending my last blogging conference (#WITS16). lol
Out of all the looks, I think the “relaxed look” is more me. Classy, yet still approachable.
Thanks for your comment Hannah! Well, you can bookmark it for the next one in Milwaukee! We love the relaxed look too! Thanks for reading! Safe travels!
Hi Hannah, I think the relaxed look is my fab as well. Thanks for taking the time to read my post 😉