It may be second nature to the road warrior, but for many others, packing for business travel can be nerve-wracking. You need to look stylish yet professional, carry the equivalent of a mobile office, and bring some hobby for downtime or comfort item from home. At the same time, you need to remain nimble, so don’t want to check bags. Not to worry – with these nine tips you’ll learn how to pack the perfect carry-on for business travel in a flash.

1. 

   Pick the right bag – The most important feature of a carry-on is that it must be no more than 45 linear inches (height + length + width) to fit in an airplane overhead compartment. A 22” bag usually qualifies. Lightweight, yet durable construction is a plus. Wheels and a pop-up handle make handling a breeze and the 4-wheeled spinner type gives 360° mobility. Fabric over a sturdy frame, with pockets inside and out, is a good merger of flexibility and structure for efficient packing. Hard cases tend to be heavier and don’t have external pockets. Travel Maestro favorites are the TravelPro 21” Expandable Walkabout Spinner and the Samsonite Lift 21” Spinner.

2. Plan for accessibility – Keep in mind you have to remove your computer and liquids at security, so those external pockets make items easily accessible. If your laptop doesn’t fit in your carryon luggage, invest in a functional, light weight laptop bag. I carry a quilted 15”x18” shoulder bag that is lined with pockets inside to sort chargers, boarding passes, snacks and sundries. My computer drops into the center open section for easy in/out access.

3. 

   Compartmentalize – Use pockets and spaces to organize so you can get to the item you need without tearing apart the whole bag. Use pouches, packing cubes, Ziplocs or Grid-It! to corral small items, electronics and things you might need during the flight. Travel Maestro tip: TravelSmith has a nice collection of packing organizers to fit every style and need.

4. Narrow your color palate – Stick to black, grey, navy, neutrals or earth tones. Make sure every item goes with at least 75% of every other item so you can mix and match for many combinations. Plan to wear slacks, jackets or cardigans twice with different shirts and accessories for a different look each time. Travel Maestro tip: Reversible skirts are a great travel option!
5. Pack for versatility – The clothes you pack need to be flexible – particularly women’s attire. You may go from the airport straight to a working lunch, the board room, and then dinner out. A sheath dress with a jacket will take you through business hours, then trade the jacket for a wrap and add a blingy necklace for a night on the town.
6. Lay out everything on the bed first – Think loosely in terms of outfits per day, although if you follow #4 and #5, you’ll have many options with relatively few pieces. It’s easier to mix and match when everything is visible, but now is the time to add shoes, jewelry, scarves, etc. for a complete look. You’ll also do a better job at #3 and #9 will be much more efficient.
7. Take charge of the shoe problem – I know this is close to sacrilege, but limit yourself to no more than three pairs of shoes (preferably two) and wear the bulkiest. Ladies, leave the power heels at home and take shoes that you can travel and work in all day. Save the cute new lime green sandals that go with exactly one outfit you own to wear when you get home. Travel Maestro tip: use shoe mitts or Ziplocs to keep the soles from rubbing against clothes.

8. 

   Use the rolling method – Possibly even more controversial than packing only three pairs of shoes is the question of whether to roll or fold. To each his own, but I’m convinced rolling takes much less space and done correctly, doesn’t wrinkle.
   • Button shirts and fold in thirds vertically (shoulders back), then in half horizontally. Roll tightly (shirt front facing down) from fold toward collar. Perfect for t-shirts and sweaters.
   • Fold pants vertically (as they hang on a hanger) then roll tightly from the waist to hem. Be careful to keep the crease straight.
   • Don’t waste any space – fit rolls into the well between the pull-up handle bars. Lay similarly sized rolls parallel to one another. Lay another roll in the “V” where they meet. Stuff shoes with socks and small items to maximize space and mate together (toe-to-heel).
   • Place heavier items like shoes and toiletries bag at the wheeled end (bottom) of your bag so clothes don’t get crushed when the bag is standing up.

9. How to pack a suit – Even though I’m a roller, there are a few items that just don’t travel as well with rolling. Suit jackets and starched shirts really need to be folded to avoid wrinkles. Fold these items as in the video below and lay on top of a solid bed of rolled items.

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Now you’re ready to pack and go! Do you have any additional tips for packing the perfect carry on for business travel? Please share them with us in the comments below. For business travel information, please contact Covington Travel.