Packing for a trip is always stressful, but when it comes to business travel, there is even more to think about. You want to look put-together and professional even during hectic flights, but you also want to remain comfortable during your free time, which requires some forethought. Here are some packing tips that will take some weight off your shoulders.

Don’t Overpack

How much luggage you will need will depend on the length of your stay – unless your trip lasts more than a couple of days, you should do your best to pack into a single carry-on bag. Not only does this cut down on waiting time at the airport, it is also much more convenient and you won’t have to worry about your luggage getting lost. If you are traveling alone, having less baggage is a huge help as you will get around more easily and be able to watch your belongings. It’s worth contacting your hotel to ask about amenities such as hairdryers, curling irons or even irons, so that you know what you can leave at home.

Choose the Right Luggage

This tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous one: make sure you choose the right luggage. If you want to get around in style, a small trolley bag would be the best option as it is practical and it will fit into most airlines’ carry-on policy. Since you will probably be taking your electronics with yourself and possibly even use the valuable hours during your flight to get some work done, it’s essential that you pack your laptop, tablet, etc. securely in one of the practical laptop bags for women you can find. Use the smaller pockets for your travel documents, phone and all the other essentials that you need to have at hand at all times.

Mind the Clothing

You need some stylish, elegant clothes, whether for making an entrance or for winning everyone over with your presentation. For a short trip of about 4 days, two bottoms (a pair of pants and a skirt) and four tops will suffice. Make sure they are neutral enough so that you can mix and match them however you’d like. A jacket or blazer that goes with both of your bottoms is also a necessity. As for your leisure time, pack something comfortable like your favorite pair of jeans, some T-shirts and a sweater. If you expect a fancy event during your stay, throw in your trusty little black dress to be prepared. When it comes to shoes, make sure you travel in flats and pack a comfortable pair of shoes that you can spend up to 12 hours in.

Smart Accessories

Since you will be wearing rather basic, neutral clothing pieces, adding an accessory or two is a great way to bring in interest and add an extra dose of flair. A scarf, a watch, a necklace and a pair of earrings should be enough to appear dazzling. You might also want to pack a small purse for when you’re going out for leisure and don’t need your laptop with you.

Additional Tips

Other than clothes, you will also need to take along your space-efficient toiletry kit. Make sure you pack everything in small containers so that they can fit in your plastic bag of liquids you will need to take out at security. When it comes to your makeup bag, don’t go crazy. Just bring your essentials; after all, you won’t need fifteen shades of eye shadow in the span of those 4 days, do you? A mascara, a lipstick, an eyeliner, your foundation and possibly your bronzer are more than enough. You can use your lipstick as blush if you want to add a little color to your cheeks anyway! Finally, don’t forget to pack some snacks such as protein bars so that you have food with you at all times. You can never know what happens and the last thing you want is rounding up at a meeting with your stomach growling because you were stuck in traffic and didn’t have time to have breakfast.

Packing for a business trip might seem stressful, but after you’ve done it a few times, it will become like second nature. Still, even if you are a seasoned traveler, make sure you have a checklist in order to make your trip as smooth as possible.

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