Jan
Business travel realizations
I never had to really worry about the things most business travelers worry about, because at my old job I drove when I had to travel.
This meant I could take as many of my suits in a garment bag as I wanted with me. I could bring a decent travel iron for my shirts. I could pack multiple shoes into a tote bag. I could have more than one piece of luggage plus a briefcase.
But this whole flying thing means a whole new set of restrictions I never really thought about. At most, I can maybe stuff an unconstructed blazer into my duffle. I have to wear my suit while I fly, unless I want it to be bunched up. I need to actually buy non-iron shirting so I don’t have to deal with creases. A dopp kit is pointless because you just have to ziplock all your toiletries anyway for the scanner. And I really need a go-to shoe that’ll work for at least three days — ranging from formal to casual.
So, I guess I’ll have to relent to non-iron shirts and perhaps a larger carry-on duffle bag that can at least squeeze in another pair of shoes.
++++
A few of your replies:
nealryan said: Shouldn’t any respectable hotel provide an iron and ironing board in your room?
allenluo said: dunno your exact situation, but most of my consultant friends live by the irons provided by almost all standard hotel rooms!
I used to use hotel irons, except I had a bad experience once where the innards of a hotel iron had long-ago rusted and stained my shirt with rustwater. Bad looks. I don’t trust hotel irons anymore.
docbound said: I don’t do business travel, but I’ve kept a similar wardrobe when flying. There are detailed ways explained online on how to fold a suit. It’s worked for me well. Plane attire: shawl collar cardigan, dark jeans, oxford, desert boots/sneakers
I actually don’t mind flying in a suit. I like having the pockets for my EDC and other items I need on-hand.
stylepoints said: I know it’s bulky, but I always fly with a travel steamer. It’s of little use on shirts, but does wonders on wool trousers and unstructured sportcoats. For toilitries, I carry samples from the Kiels counter.They take up zero space. Use the hotel iron
I typically hang my stuff in the shower and turn the hot water on to steam clothing the moment I get into a hotel room. Usually does the trick.
minimalmusings said: Check out the Redoxx air boss. Fits on any airplane overhead (even regional jets), with bundle packing techniques you can fit a suit (or two) and there is enough room for a week’s worth of clothes and 2 pairs of shoes no prob.
Thanks for the luggage recommendation.
paulhabeeb: I highly recommend using the OneBag method for packing, if you aren’t already. It’s compact and, if you do it correctly, almost nothing gets wrinkled.
Hadn’t heard of that method before. In order for it to work though, I’ll need a new piece of carry-on luggage with slightly more room. What I’m using now is definitely more of an overnight bag. FWIW, I do travel insanely light.
badscene said: I find that some decent loafers will go a long way. Easy slip-off, easy slip-on. Also, it may be worth asking Phat Guido his opinion on the matter — he seems to travel ALOT.
Given how long it takes to get through TSA already, I don’t mind wearing lace-up shoes. I have plenty of time to take them off and put them back on. Plus, I don’t like wearing loafers with suits. I think PG packs a whole lot more than I do and probably checks luggage. No way in hell am I going to check a bag if I don’t have to do so.
sashu said: I hear they don’t allow you to wear shoes on Air Force 1 because of George W. Bush
That’s just gross.
Also, funkypresident added a few things to a post of his own, including getting a reusable toiletry pouch, which is probably a good idea.
Jan
Do you have any gym bag recommendations? Preferably without the swoosh sign (no disrespect, Nike) and not too high priced.
What’s a gym bag?
But seriously though, I suppose it’s all about how much you want to spend and if it’s worth spending a lot of money on something that’s going to end up smelling like, well, a gym bag.
And I think that’s the reason why people use those semi-disposable nylon pouches at the gym. You can wash them and throw them away without much remorse.
But, if you want something more sophisticated to carry, maybe consider a canvas tote bag? You can find several cheap options at L.L.Bean and Lands’ End for around $20-$30 in a variety of sizes and options (like a zip-top).
Jan
Do you own so much Brunello Cucinelli gear that you just don’t know where you’d put it all when you travel? Well, look no further: a Cucinelli cashmere travel garment bag.
Nov
Anyone know who makes this? Not that I could afford it, but it’s definitely one of the more functional overnight bags I’ve seen. (Although, those are some fugly shoes.)
UPDATE: plywould has some details!
(via 30andbroke)
Oct
Minimal Musings found this awesome John Lobb shoe trunk
You know, if you’re the kind of person who’s just got 27 pairs of John Lobbs all over the house and you just can’t seem to get organized.
Apr
For bags I recommend checking out Urban Outfitters. I don't tend to like much of their stuff buy I just bought a light colored messenger there to use with warmer weather and I've been very happy with it. Can't speak about its long term durability yet, though. Anyway, I believe they have a decent number of bags online at varying price points.
Ah, I hadn’t thought about checking their site.
Unrelated: I just checked it to look at their outerwear and noticed they have some Penfield jackets that I might consider getting. I think I write them off too quickly.
Apr
I'm sorry, I may have made the question too specific - what I was meaning to ask was a good site/ store to buy nice satchels and bags for a decent price.
P.S. I'm a college student so price is a big factor.
Check out this post where afistfulofstyle recommended hitting up Army-surplus stores (online or in person) for backpacks and satchels. Those are ramen-noodle cheap.
My other advice is to check craigslist locally. People are always trying to ditch briefcases and messenger bags on there. That’s where I got my briefcase. There’s also always Etsy and eBay, too. I would just search for “canvas satchel” or “canvas backpack” and see what turns up.
Apr
As to the guy asking about bags. Not to claim expertise or anything, but I have carried a shitload of bags since I was 15. Army surplus stores are your best bet for simple styles like those 2. A quick search turned up these 2 for back packs
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=49864
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=23674
and these satchels
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=1131
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=1130
and as a sidenote. I carried that 2nd canvas satchel from 2001-2010. I wore through one, but they'll take seriously hard (everyday, overstuffed, way too heavy) use for 5 years. Recommended.
But then I upgraded to this
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/categories/97-Satchels-Medium/products/2031-Leather-Satchel-Medium-iPad-Chestnut
and have never looked back.
Thanks a bunch for your recommendation to turn to Army-surplus stores. I would’ve recommended them, but I think the person was looking for those bags specifically.
Also, I completely agree with going for leather bags (and Saddleback has a solid reputation), just because the look a lot nicer and last a lot longer.
Apr
Where can I find backpack and bags similar to these?
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lk15gySKOc1qzixhuo1_400.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljdg00kydW1qhdqgbo1_500.jpg
(Click here and here to see photos)
Wow, I really know close to nothing about backpacks, and only some mild stuff about satchels/bags.
For the backpack, it’s called a “duluth pack” and you can search for it on Google shopping to find something.
You can get that Yuketen bag at End Clothing. I think it’s really overpriced and I’m not personally a fan of the branding on it.
Mar
What I pack for a 3-night, 4-day stay
I travel quite a bit for my job (by car) and thought I’d show you what I pack for an average trip.
For suits, a navy, a dark grey and I wear my grey tweed. Also, my black/white herringbone tweed blazer and a brown donegal tweed waistcoat.
For shirts, one pink, one blue, one white dress shirt for wearing with the suits. For casual wear, one red university stripe oxford and one blue gingham button down.
Accessories: red, green and navy silk knit ties (for the suits) and a navy with red/white stripe silk tie (for casual). Also, various pocket squares. I also pack one black and one brown leather belt as well as one tan web belt.
I only pack my 501s for extra pants, but if it gets warmer, I’ll maybe swap that with a pair of chinos. And obviously, undergarments and socks.
Not pictured: shoes, which include one pair black and one pair brown leather as well as a pair of tan bucks. Also, a trench coat.
I pack this all up in a rolling luggage (overhead size) and put the suits and blazer in a Hartmann tweed suit garment bag.
Jan
You can get a customized bag leather like the Herschel one from The Manila Haberdasher (themanilahaberdasher.tumblr.com/themanilahaberdasher@gmail.com).
I've ordered a few items from them before. Found them through Styleforum :)
Oh wow. Great find. Thanks for the information!
Jan
This may be the perfect bag. Here.
Wow. If this bag came in leather, I’d be all over it. It would be nice to pack another pair of shoes without having to shove them up against clothes they shouldn’t be near.
(via alexandergrant)
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