Packing Tips For The Stylish Traveler

Men's fashion is a world full of delicate items. Silk ties must never be creased. Cordovan shoes should always be molded. Shirts should always look freshly pressed, else suffer the indignation of sitting through a meeting looking like a slob. That's a bit of a problem if your work needs you to travel regularly yet still arrive looking presentable. It takes a bit of practice and a little know-how to properly pack up for a stylish arrival.

Time to Roll
Overnight bags are called that way for a reason. Unless you'll literally be spending just 24 hours at your destination, skip the overnight bag, duffel bag or keep-all because they'll be simply inadequate. Stuffing too many things in too small a bag just creases more of your clothes. Get yourself a piece of rolling luggage instead. Many are just the right size to be considered carry-on luggage, and you save yourself the back ache of carrying a duffel.

Don't go for fancy leather or fabric ones, stylish as they might seem. As a traveler, your first priority is functiom, form is just a bonus when you do things right. Find yourself a rolling bag with a rough-and-tumble nylon exterior. It'll last longer and better protect all the goodies you have stashed inside.

Travel-Ready Threads
As much as business meetings and international conferences call for formal attire, toting your best leather shoes and suit for the trip is a bad idea. The trick to traveling well is to stock up on low-maintenance items that can stand, or look good after, getting squashed around in your bag en route.

Wash-and-wear shirts are every traveling guy's best friend, a good compromise between the worlds of travel and men's fashion. Once you see a store that stocks them, buy 'em in several colors like blue, white and pink. They're a great idea because you can just throw them in your bag and then wear them when you get there, no pressing needed.

If there's no occasion that strictly calls for your lace-ups, leave them at home. They're not easy to replace, and you can do just as well in most cases with a pair of loafers. Loafers are a much more versatile travelers' choice because they can be dressed up or down, and are comfortable even on long trips. If your lace-ups are coming with you, though, wear them on the trip; they'll take too much space to pack properly in your bag.

Classics, Classics, Classics
Being abroad doesn't mean you have to look like the latest fashion plate. In fact, you'll be much better off if you stick to some of the tried and tested classics. That way, you never run out of something to wear, no matter what the situation might be.

Start with a suit, just the one, in a classic color like gray, black or navy. A classic color can be easily paired with other items should you need to adjust your dress code. Is there a casual occasion to attend? Swap out the jacket for a v-neck sweater (another item you should have), or switch the pants for a pair of dark denims.

A good solid color v-neck sweater is also a good thing to have if you're traveling to a cold place. They're extremely easy to mix and match with other pieces while at the same time giving you some extra warmth. Wear it over a plain white shirt, layer it under a suit or wear it as is with jeans. That's a lot of pairings for just a single item.

It's a lot of things to remember, but it gets easier with practice. Pick up the habits now so that you'll have learned them for all your succeeding trips. Remember to hang up delicate items like suits and silk ties as soon as you arrive, and call room service if some of them need pressing. And in case of emergencies, don't hesitate to buy yourself a spare.