How to have a 5-Day Business Wardrobe in One Carry on Bag
Pack Fashionably. Pack Smart.
By Janine Giorgenti
With airlines nickel and diming passengers with bag fees (coupled with long security lines), many business travelers ask me if it’s possible to have the appropriate attire – to last a week – in a single carry-on bag.
Good news, yes, it is! It’s called a “Travel Capsule Wardrobe.”
Planning is key. You have to really think out your week, your schedule, and meetings. This is what I would suggest for a formal work week:
Men’s Wardrobe Checklist
One navy suit
One medium grey suit
Two white and one light blue dress shirts
Two check dress shirts
One pair of jeans
One pair tan khakis
Two knit polo shirts
Three ties
Gym shorts
Four T shirts
One pair comfortable light weight sweat pants
Two lightweight pajamas
One pair black and one pair brown shoes
One pair tennis shoes
5-6 pairs of socks and underwear
Toiletries and hair brush
On the day of travel: wear a navy suit coat over the khakis (or jeans) with a brown belt and brown shoes for a cool, trendy, and professional look.
The reason I suggest you bring a solid navy and solid medium grey suit, is so you can mix and match; wearing the navy suit coat over the grey suit pants and the grey suit coat over the navy pants, with open collar check shirts, to create two power casual looks.
You can also wear the polos with grey or navy pants for a less formal look, or dress it down with the khakis or jeans.
How to Pack in (5) Easy Steps:
Choose a sturdy fold over hanging suitcase. I recommend the Silhouette Spinner Garment by Samsonite.
- Hang the suit, suit pant, jeans or khaki on hangers on the garment-hanging bar. To save space you can layer two pants over one hanger. You can also hang the dress shirts pressed with a plastic layer – over each – so they don’t wrinkle.
- Fold the polos and strap into the shirt compartment. Roll the pajamas, shorts and sweats and tuck into the lower part of a compartment.
- Roll ties to keep them from wrinkling.
- Stuff socks inside shoes to save space. Put shoes in shoe compartment or lay heel side up not to soil clothes.
- Use outside compartments away from clothes for toiletries.
With this method, you will have everything you need to wear all in a simple carry on hanging suitcase, well organized and wrinkle free.
Have a productive trip and safe travels.
About the Author
Janine Giorgenti For over 25 years, Janine Giorgenti, renowned fashion designer and image consultant – has provided a long line of satisfied clients with unparalleled service and first class made-to-measure custom suits. Featured in the Wall Street Journal, Vogue Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, Fox News, CBS, and other top media outlets – Janine has established a clientele of some of New York’s most successful and discerning professionals – including such New York dignitaries as former New York Islanders legend Bobby Nystrom and chief economist Dr. Irwin Kellner.
