First impressions always count. Especially in a work
environment. Bosses often gauge whether or not you can do the
job by the way you look. By the way you carry yourself. How many
promotions have gone to people who are average in terms of
competency but who look impressive? How many brilliant people
have been shelved because they don't look capable?
The same goes with clients. Prospective customers would probably
write you off if you are representing a bank but are scruffily
dressed.
Showing up in a crumpled outfit, no matter how expensive it
might be, is not going to inspire confidence. So unless there
will be an iron in the hotel room you will be staying in, or you
intend to lug along an iron to press your clothing, or the hotel
offers laundry services you can count on to get you in well
pressed clothes before the meetings, avoid clothes that crease
easily.
For your jacket, skirt and pants, avoid 100% linen or 100% silk
clothing as although they look and feel fabulous when well
pressed, they wrinkle easily. Instead, pack in jackets, skirts
and pants that travel well.
By the way, the most important piece of clothing you can pack
into your suitcase for your business trip is a great jacket.
That one jacket can smarten up anything, be it a dress, tank top
and pants or camisole and skirt.
For this all-important jacket, go for one made of wool or at
least a wool blend which falls flatteringly on your figure, yet
travels well. At least it wouldn't crinkle like 100% linen or
silk. Even artificial fibers like polyester and rayon travel
well as they don't crinkle easily. A blend of wool and
synthetic fibers would travel well and may be just what you need
for that business trip.
Pick at least 2 jackets in neutral shades. Black, navy, brown,
white and gray are business-like colors that are easy to match.
For example, if you wear a lot of silver and look great in
black, you could pick a black jacket and a navy jacket. If
softer colors look better on you, a gray jacket and a white
jacket would be a better bet. If you look better in gold and
warm colors, a brown jacket and a cream jacket might be more
appropriate. They are feminine, yet work well.
Next, pick camisoles and tank tops in colors you love. These can
be worn under your jacket, paired with skirts or pants. You
could spice up your neutral suit with a crimson camisole
underneath, or add gravity to your look with a black tank top.
You could even match the camisole to your eye color. Or go for
fushia or pink to bring out your feminine side. Since they are
worn under your jacket, you could go for satin. You might even
get away with silk if you pack it in tissue paper carefully in
your suitcase.
Get a skirt and a pair of pants to go with those 2 jackets.
Ideally get them in the same shades as your jackets. For
example, if you have a black jacket and a gray jacket, a black
skirt and a pair of gray pants would be deal.
Then add on a dress or two. Your jacket would make your dress
look smart and business-like, as long as it isn't too low cut. It can
double up
as a fun dress on your off days, or if you extend your business
trip to take a vacation,
Make all these clothing wool or at least a wool blend so that
they will look great when you finally get to your destination.
Okay, you can get away with lycra blend tank tops and synthetics
as these travel well too. Rayon and polyester look and feel
better when they are blended with natural fabrics like wool or
cotton. Still, if the weather permits, go for wool as natural
fibers look and fall much better than synthetics. They look more
expensive too, which makes them great for your image as a
successful professional.
