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Traveling for work can be the perfect storm of limited luggage space and an obligation to wear structured clothes in temperamental fabrics. If you don’t have the time or the space to pack a mini steamer, this can pose a problem.
There are some tricks that can make it all easier: pack items in the same color scheme so you can mix and match, pick mostly dark clothes so imperfections are better camouflaged, and roll your clothes rather than fold them if you’re worried about space (I swear by this trick).
But what really makes the difference is better, smarter clothes that work harder for you. They’re wrinkle-resistant, machine-washable, breathable, comfortable, and don’t lose shape after repeated wear. They’re often made out of technical fabrics that look like something more traditional materials, but perform 100x better.
I’ve rounded up five work wardrobe staples below, but in the form of their cooler, smarter, more new-age options. We try thousands of products throughout the year, and these are the style choices that have stood out the most for business travelers. With the right wardrobe, business travel can be as comfortable as my most well-worn sweatpants.
Below are 5 fantastic options for traveling for business in comfort:
Pants: Slim Leggings, Aella
AELLA
What to look for: comfortable, resilient materials that don’t bag out after repeated wears, are machine-washable, breathable, and, if possible, are stain-resistant (since you likely won’t have access to a washer and dryer, or enough time to send out dry cleaning).
What we think you’ll love: Aella Slim Leggings , $ 175 (or most of Aella’s pants, really).
Why: You really can’t go wrong with a pair of travel work pants from Aella. The company was actually conceived because the founder, Eunice Cho, couldn’t find stylish and flattering work pants that were cool enough for a day job at a high-end store in Soho and professional enough for business school at night. Aella is the solution, and its materials are all picked with three essential points for comfortable and easy-to-wear workwear in mind: stretch, machine-washability, and resistance to color fading.
They’re a big favorite on the Insider Picks team due to their flattering, modern fit, smarter technical materials, and low-maintenance care. I’ve written a bonafide love letter to them before, as has fellow reporter Connie Chen. Our favorites are the Ankle Skinny and Slim leggings, both of which are a sophisticated twist on the legging. It will stretch without bagging no matter how many days you wear them, go through the wash without dulling in color or changing texture, and it remains spill- and water-resistant so you’re always meeting-ready.
Other options to consider: MM LaFleur Foster Pant, $ 195 (bonus: they come with an adjustable hem. Full review here).
Aella Slim Leggings in black or navy for $ 175
Shirts: Easier Than Silk Shirt, Ministry Supply
Ministry of Supply
What to look for: wrinkle- and stain-resistant shirts that are breathable enough for layering without becoming too hot or claustrophobic. Must be machine-washable, flexible, and appear tailored.
What we think you’ll love: Ministry of Supply Easier Than Silk Shirt, $ 85
Why: Ministry of Supply is another company we love for their innovation. It was founded by MIT grads and frequently collaborates with NASA to make the sort of smart materials that look and feel better than traditional workwear. This shirt was born from dozens of interviews with women about what they hate and love in a dress shirt, and they came up with this not-quite-silk iteration. I’ve tried a lot of button-ups at Insider Picks, but this one in black is my favorite. It’s super breathable, looks unbelievably sleek and slimming on, is machine-washable, and feels comfortable and polished all day. The material (a Japanese technical fabric that looks like silk) actually looks much more expensive than it is, and at $ 85 I can buy multiples. As time passes, I only love it more. Read a full review here.
Other options to consider: Aella Silk Tee, $ 95
Ministry of Supply Easier Than Silk Shirt in six colors, $ 85
Shoes: Day Heel, Everlane
Everlane
What to look for: If you plan (or need) to travel in heels, you’ll want a nicely cushioned and supportive footbed, a low block heel, and, if possible, an elasticized back to minimize chafing.
What we think you’ll love: Everlane Day Heel
Why: This heel, inspired by the need for a heel you can comfortably walk all day in, inspired a 28,000 person waitlist when it first debuted. It has an elasticized back like a ballet shoe to eliminate that painful “break-in” period and the annoyance of sliding out as you walk, a rounded toe, a walkable 2-inch block heel, and a cushioned footbed that feels like memory foam. More than a few women on the Insider Picks team own a pair, and we each love them.
Other options to consider: Taryn Rose Filomena Block Heel Pump, $ 259.90 (Taryn Rose is a bit more expensive, but they’re all designed by an orthopedic-surgeon-turned-footwear-designer who makes super comfortable shoes that don’t sacrifice style).
Everlane Day Heel in 15 color and material variations, $ 145
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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