Packing vs. Me
Here’s how I finally made business trip packing my b*tch.
Here’s how I finally made business trip packing my b*tch.
To say I have a strong desire to master the art of packing, especially business trip packing, is the understatement of the year.
For whatever reason, business trip packing has become my personal vision quest, a beast I need to slay, one that I somehow associate with larger success.
Am I going to be a cliche of excess like every Bravo Real Housewife, unsteady on my feet, weakly trying to stand with my unwieldy (and ridiculous) stack of Vuitton trunks?
Or am I going to be Kamala Harris (ok, it’s a stretch but #goals), carrying exactly what I need, by myself, striding from meeting to meeting, unburdened, clearheaded and true, ready to listen and exchange ideas. (Hers: A transcendent approach to running the free world. Mine: A transcendent approach to running a free shoe promotion.)
It’s GAME ON, business trip packing. And finally, on this latest Boston to NYC jaunt, I have declared myself a winner. Here’s how I did it so you can slay this beast too.
Choose your weapon. By which I mean a bag. This is a lightweight Marni bucket bag I bought used from Castanet in Boston. The chain is used Fendi via The Real Real. The bag has to be able to go crossbody over a coat. All the better to stride while double fisting coffee. It has to serve as luggage, purse and brief case. Less juggling = more Kamala.
2. Embrace #pouchlife. Inside a dark, cavernous bag you’ll want lots of bright pouches to separate your items, make them easy to find, and prevent a mishap where an undergarment pops out while you’re grabbing a business card (not even a little Kamala-esque).
3. Choose your uniform. On the plane or train, you want to wear something dark (all the better to hide the coffee spills and marinara; don’t judge). It should be three pieces, comfortable enough for travel, and serve as your base outfit. I wore black faux leather leggings, body suit, sneakers, and a polished but oversized sweater.
4. Every item needs to have a dual purpose. Slip-on sneakers are comfortable to walk from the train. I can also easily get them on for coffee in the lobby. And I can use them on the treadmill if I’m so inclined. (Ok, I wasn’t. But I could.) To the above, the only additional clothes I took were cotton leggings to sleep or work out in. A tee to sleep or work out in. A second body suit for the next day. Pumps for my meeting. Underwear. Everything except the pumps went into a pouch.
5. Limit your reading material to what you download onto iBooks before you go.
6. Don’t take any full-sized products. You can survive a night with hotel soap and shampoo. Do take an RMS wipe. That replaces serum, facewash and makeup remover. (FYI, I get these and my other clean beauty items on follain.com.)
7. Worth a little space. Snacks. Almonds, Good & Plenty, a banana and packets of coconut coffee creamer all make it into my bag. Hangry is not a good look, even on Kamala.
Ready to own this? To move burden-free through the world? Give it a shot and report back. And once you’re in Penn Station about to catch the train home, get yourself a dozen bialys as a reward. (If need be, tie the bag to your belt loops.)