The Ultimate Business Trip Packing List

Clothing

When deciding what clothes to pack for a business trip, make sure you have something to wear to every scheduled event while still avoiding overpacking. The key is to bring versatile pieces you can mix and match for various occasions that easily transition from day to night. Also, wrinkle-free materials are always a plus.

Best Slacks

Everlane Tencel Way-High Taper Pant

$108 at everlane.com

Our favorite women's slacks for travel come from Everlane. As the name suggests, Way-High Taper Pants have a high-rise waist with side pockets and flattering, professional-looking pleats. Sustainably sourced from wood pulp, the ultra-soft, wrinkle-resistant Tencel lyocell fabric is perfect for packing.

Best Business-casual Trousers

Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pants

$69 at REI View on Gap.com

For something that leans more business-casual, go with the Brooklyn Ankle Pant. These soft, stretchy trousers are comfy enough to wear on the plane yet sophisticated enough to wear to a business meeting or networking event. We also love that they come in an inclusive range of 16 sizes in regular, tall, and petite fits.

Best Blouse

Quince Silk Notch Collar Blouse

$70 at onequince.com

Made of 90 percent silk and 10 percent spandex, this blouse drapes perfectly, and has a subtle sheen and a nice stretch. It's easy to tuck into skirts or pants, while the tailored collar elevates any professional ensemble. Best of all, the washable design is nowhere near as delicate as most silk shirts.

Best Sleeveless Top

M.M.LaFleur The Nora Top

$195 at mmlafleur.com

If you're traveling to a warmer climate or just need more daytime options, this one's for you. The Nora Top is a drapey, boat-neck, sleeveless shirt that promises to resist wrinkling, while an anti-odor finish helps prevent smelly armpits during your next meeting. It also layers beautifully under a blazer and is conveniently machine-washable.

Best Day-to-night Dress

Modern Citizen Iman Cotton Twill Split-Hem Dress

View on Moderncitizen.com

The best clothes for business travel transition seamlessly from day to night — that's why we love Modern Citizen's super-versatile Iman Dress. The flattering silhouette is slightly fitted but definitely not too tight, with ruching at the waist and a split hem in the back that ensures you can move around with ease. You can wear this dress on its own, with a blazer, or under a long coat.

Best Sweater

Banana Republic Bella Merino Sweater Polo

View on Gap.com

It's always good to have a nice sweater on hand during a business trip. We love this one from Banana Republic, which is made of 100 percent merino wool. It features a pull-over design with a folded camp-style collar and a slightly relaxed fit that's easy to tuck into pants, or wear untucked if you prefer a more casual look.

Best Blazer

Spanx The Perfect Blazer

View on Spanx $168 at Saks Fifth Avenue $121 at Neiman Marcus

Appropriately dubbed "The Perfect Blazer," this versatile outerwear piece from Spanx is just the thing for your next work trip. It's made of stretchy, smoothing ponte fabric and features a slightly longer cut that layers beautifully over virtually any top. The easy-going material is also machine-washable and a breeze to care for — no dry-cleaning necessary.

Best Overcoat

Loft Two Button Coat

View on Loft.com

For something a bit warmer, reach for the Two Button Coat. It has a relaxed fit that layers effortlessly over any professional outfit, while notched lapels, flap pockets, and a button closure offer a professional appeal. This coat is also machine-washable, so you don't have to worry about dry-cleaning.

Best Trousers

lululemon Commission Pant

$128 at Lululemon

You'd be hard-pressed to find a guy who doesn't prefer these pants over regular trousers — lululemon knows a thing or two about travel pants. And in true lululemon fashion, they're made of a breathable, sweat-wicking, non-wrinkling performance material. But thanks to the traditional fly, belt loops, and snap-button pockets, they look just like any other business-ready pants.

Best Chinos

Bearbottom Stretch Chino Pant

View on Bearbottomclothing.com

If the perfect chinos exist, you're looking at them. Woven from cotton with a hint of spandex, these midweight pants are structured and breathable with just the right amount of stretch. The tapered ankle makes them an ideal choice to wear with business-casual sneakers, loafers, Oxfords, or Chelsea boots.

Best Button-down

UntuckIt Wrinkle-Free Performance Gironde Shirt

View on Untuckit.com

If you're looking for wrinkle-proof shirts for business trips, UntuckIt has you covered. Not only does the Gironde Shirt never need ironing, but it also wicks away sweat and is the perfect length to wear untucked with your work pants of choice. You might want something that tucks in for evening looks, but this is undoubtedly a great daytime option you'll be glad to have at the ready.

Best Dress Shirt

Bonobos Desk To Dinner Shirt

View on Bonobos.com

As the name implies, the Desk To Dinner Shirt can be worn all day at business meetings, then into the night while schmoozing with clients over dinner or drinks. The slim-fit design can be tucked into pants or worn untucked for a more laid-back look, and you can count on the collar to stay in place no matter how you wear it — or how long.

Best Slacks

Suitsupply Pleated Vigo Trousers

View on Suitsupply.com

Suitsupply's Vigo Trousers feature a high-rise waist and a tailored, slim-fit cut with a single pleat down the front and modern cuffed ankles. They're formal enough to wear to a nice dinner with loafers and a crisp dress shirt but also versatile enough to rock with a pair of clean leather sneakers.

Best Blazer

Zara Stretch Blazer

View on Zara.com

This straight-fit men's blazer from Zara is great for layering over button-down shirts, polos, crewneck sweaters, or crisp T-shirts. The material is wrinkle-resistant and lightweight, making it a go-to for business trips or wearing on the plane.

Best Overcoat

Charles Tyrwhitt Cotton Classic Raincoat

View on Charlestyrwhitt.com

This is technically a raincoat because of its water-repellent finish, but it works perfectly as a versatile and lightweight overcoat as well. The hoodless design is made of an extra-stretchy, wrinkle-proof material that's easy to pack and unlikely to stain if you spill coffee or a cocktail.

Shoes

Shoes take up a lot of space in a suitcase, so you'll want to bring no more than two or three pairs, including what you wear en route to your destination. Think ahead to the meetings or events you'll be attending, consider the formality of each occasion, and prioritize comfort.

Best Flats

Naturalizer Samantha d'Orsay Flat

$65 at Nordstrom View on Dsw.com View on Shoppremiumoutlets.com

These sleek pointed-toe flats are more than just flattering and versatile — they're also exceptionally comfy. Boasting contoured footbeds with arch support, cushioning, and full-foot flexibility, they'll keep your feet happy for hours on end.

Best Loafers

Nisolo Emma d'Orsay Oxford

$87 at Amazon $136 at Nordstrom $170 at Zappos

Nisolo makes our favorite women's loafers. Featuring a feminine d'Orsay silhouette, the Emma is a polished, easy-on loafer that goes with just about any professional attire. These shoes also have cushioned, shock-absorbing insoles, and you can bet the genuine leather uppers will conform to the shape of your feet for the perfect fit.

Best Heels

Marion Parke Classic Pump 45 Leather Kitten Heel

$495 at Nordstrom $495 at Neiman Marcus $495 at marionparke.com

These timeless pumps from Marion Parke can be worn with everything from ankle pants and pleated trousers to pencil skirts and dresses. What's more, the slim silhouette won't take up much space in your suitcase. This footwear brand is expensive, but it's known for its remarkably comfortable styles, each featuring contoured insoles with adaptable cushioning and pressure relief for the balls of your feet.

Best Travel-day Shoes

Vionic Slip-on Sneaker

$84 at Amazon $72 at Nordstrom $75 at Zappos

If you need comfortable shoes to wear on the plane but still want to look put-together, Vionic's Zinah Sneaker might be your best bet. The laceless, slip-on design boasts a sleek, laid-back aesthetic resembling a cross between a tennis shoe and a flat. Thanks to the brand's podiatrist-designed arch support, you can bet these shoes won't hurt your feet.

Best Loafers

Cole Haan Osborn Grand 360 Penny Loafer

View on Amazon View on Nordstrom View on Colehaan.com

When it comes to men's loafers, you really can't go wrong with Cole Haan. This classic, clean-cut pair features smooth leather uppers and a structured silhouette with traditional stitching. With OrthoLite footbeds, you can count on next-level cushioning, arch support, and antimicrobial odor resistance.

Best Dress Shoes

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Oxford

View on Amazon $425 at Nordstrom View on Allenedmonds.com

Featuring traditional cap toes with six-eyelet laces, these gorgeous leather oxfords are the ideal dress shoes for business trips. While they pair well with a suit, you can also rock them with chinos, slacks, suit separates, and everything in between.

Best Travel-day Shoes

Moral Code Kai Sneaker

$149 at Zappos View on Moralcode.com

For travel days, we recommend the Kai Sneaker from Moral Code. These laid-back yet professional-looking shoes have smooth leather uppers that wipe clean in a pinch, durable rubber outsoles, and padded footbeds that promise to conform to the shape of your foot to keep you comfortable with every step.

Accessories

The right accessories are crucial for business trips. Still, you want to avoid bringing more than you'll actually use, as overpacking will just weigh you down during your busy schedule. Here's what we recommend.

Best Belt

Nordstrom Marco Burnished Leather Belt

$80 at Nordstrom View on Shopstyle.com

Don't forget to pack a belt for your business trip. Even if you're not sure which outfit you'll need it for, you'll be glad to have it when the occasion arises — plus it takes up almost no space in your suitcase. Consider this classic burnished leather one, and order it one size larger than your typical pants size.

Best Wallet

Leatherology Slim Zip Travel Wallet

View on Leatherology.com

Leatherology's Slim Zip Travel Wallet is made of buttery-soft, full-grain leather and comes in your choice of several tasteful hues. It has seven card slots, three bill compartments for things like cash and receipts, and a spacious main compartment big enough to fit your phone, boarding pass, or passport. We also appreciate that it zips up to keep everything secure.

Best Travel Tech Kit

Mark & Graham Essential Tech Folio

$139 at markandgraham.com

This clever leather pouch makes it easy to stay organized when traveling with lots of tech gadgets. With multiple compartments, sleeves, and pockets, you'll have a designated spot for your phone, tablet, charging cables, earbuds, stylus pen, important cards, and then some.

Best Portable Charger

Nimble Champ Portable Charger

View on Gonimble.com

"I always travel with a portable cellphone battery charger," Dandashy says. With this in mind, we recommend packing the Nimble Champ. This compact, on-the-go charger weighs less than half a pound and boasts super-fast charging that takes you from zero to 80 percent battery life in just 30 minutes. It can even charge two devices at once.

Best Water Bottle

Monos Kiyo UVC Bottle

View on Monos.com

Dandashy says she always brings a reusable water bottle on business trips. We like this one from Monos, which calls on ultraviolet technology to kill over 99.9 percent of bacteria in your drinking water. We admit this is a lot to spend on a water bottle, but it might be worth it for the built-in purification system, plus it's backed by a two-year warranty.

Luggage

The best luggage for business trips is lightweight, functional, and professional-looking. Whether you opt to carry on or check your baggage, we strongly suggest keeping your valuables with you, whether in a carry-on suitcase or "personal item" bag.

Best Carry-on

July Carry On Pro SnapSleeve

View on July.com

July's Carry On Pro was built for business travel. This compact yet spacious suitcase flaunts a crush-proof polycarbonate shell, an extra-long telescoping handle, and smooth-rolling spinner wheels. There's a hidden laundry bag inside, an ejectable USB power bank, and an external magnetic compartment for your laptop that detaches with the press of a button when you need to remove it when going through security. The price is a little steep for the size, but it's backed by a lifetime warranty.

Best Checked Suitcase

Solgaard Check-In Closet

View on Solgaard.co $270 at costco.com

For those who want to check their bags, we suggest the Solgaard Check-In Closet. This mid-sized suitcase has a nearly unbreakable polycarbonate shell and a built-in shelving system with five compartments and compression straps that help you pack as much as possible. We like that you can remove and hang up the closet system for easy access during your trip.

Best Packing Cubes

Away The Insider Packing Cubes

$45 at awaytravel.com

Away is a go-to for high-quality luggage at reasonable price points. Designed to compress your belongings, the brand's Insider Packing Cubes allow you to fit more into your suitcase while simplifying the packing and unpacking process. Made of nylon with mesh panels on top, they're breathable and water-resistant while making it easy to see what's inside.

Best Toiletry Bag

Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag

View on Dagnedover.com

The Hunter Toiletry Bag is made of water-resistant neoprene with large, smooth-gliding zippers that'll never get stuck. Available in two sizes, this multi-compartment satchel is just the thing for packing and organizing your toothbrush, razor, shampoo, deodorant, skin care products, comb, contact lenses — you name it.

Best Laptop Bag

Calpak Haven Laptop Tote Bag

$152 at calpaktravel.com $130 at Anthropologie

If you need something to carry your laptop on the plane or to and from meetings, the Haven Tote is an excellent choice. Made of easy-to-clean faux leather, it has a spacious main compartment, a large pocket for your computer or tablet, and three smaller pockets for all the little things you want to keep within reach. "I always pack hand sanitizer, a water bottle, a few packs of gum, and vitamins," Dandashy says. There's also an external trolley sleeve for when you want to slide it onto the handle of your suitcase.