Wrinkle-Free Arrival: What to Look for in Business Travel Apparel

When you travel for business, it’s par for the course that you always want to look your best. You are, after all, representing your company whenever you step into a face-to-face meeting with an existing or prospective client. This can, however, be a bit of a tall order when you’re living out of our suitcase, or set foot to tarmac only an hour or two before due to a tight itinerary.

The good news is that living in the 21st century has its perks in this regard. A century or so ago, your clothing was almost definitely going to be wrinkled when you arrived at your travel destination via train or boat, stepped out of a horse-drawn carriage or exited one of the first privately owned automobiles. These days, this no longer has to be the case. The trick lies in choosing travel apparel in the right fabrics.

Whenever we advise our TravelManor clients on packing and dressing for a flight or overland transfer, we recommend that they invest in a capsule wardrobe of apparel items in the following fabrics:

TOP WRINKLE-FREE FABRICS FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL APPAREL

• Wool. Wool is the best travel fabric there is - it breathes well, keeps the wearer insulated, fights unwanted odours and does not wrinkle. Merino wool is particularly great since it's very soft on the skin.
• Polyester. Man-made fabrics like polyester may not sound all that glamorous on the ear, but these high-performance fabrics are somewhat of a miracle for business travellers. It holds up very well under extended wear and is incredible wrinkle-resistant.
• Lyocell (also known as Tencel). This synthetic form of rayon is a major step up from the original 'no iron' fabric. It's not quite as crease-resistant as Polyester, but it packs very well.

Fabrics to avoid when purchasing travel clothing include 100% cotton and linen, as well as cotton/rayon blends. Cashmere also tends to crease when worn in transit, but does release wrinkles when it's been hanging out for a few hours. As such, it can travel fairly well, just not straight off the plane.

TOP TIP: If your industry is very formal, it’s a good idea to have one for two suits tailored especially for occasions when you have to travel for work. A well-cut men’s or ladies’ suit in a neutral colour can be dressed up in a variety of ways with a selection of shirts, ties, scarves, stockings, shoes and heels. Larger companies often have a tailor on retainer to take care of these needs - find out if yours do, or find a suitable garment maker in your area to assist you.

Following these guidelines when you choose business travel apparel will ensure that you look as presentable as possible upon touchdown at your destination. We’ll be sharing more helpful tips and advice like this on the blog in coming weeks and months, so remember to bookmark this page for easy reference. In the meantime, feel free to get in touch with the TravelManor team for expert advice on planning seamless business journeys that yield a serious return on investment.