On almost every packing list I have, cardigans are there. Whether it’s winter or summer, the lightweight button down sweater is a must-have. They pull an outfit together, keep you warm on cold planes, and look professional but not too formal. They are available everywhere, on every budget, so it’s easy to find one that works for you. I actually wear them so much that I replace them regularly. I bought a ton of long-sleeve cardigans during sales last winter, but three-quarter sleeve is most versatile (IMO) so I need to stock up on those!

As always, Old Navy has many different cardigan styles at very low prices, in lots of colors. My favorite is the three quarter sleeve version in Aqua Bath. It’s a steal for $22. They also have longer boyfriend styles and cropped versions.

I like this Anne Klein sweater because of the texture, although it would be best on slightly cooler days since it’s a little thicker. (I also got distracted by this adorable dress! Wow I want that.)

If you get very warm and need short sleeves, Talbots has a cute option in a bunch of different colors. Lands End also has a cute version that has some interesting gathering on the back.

I swear by cardigans, and don’t think I can ever have enough! Looking forward to taking advantage of some sales this weekend.

Readers, do you wear cardigans for travel? What’s your favorite brand?

I have written several times about how I wear bike shorts under skirts and dresses on travel days. It just makes so much sense! It alleviates worry about any unexpected TSA pat-downs, wind gusts, or, of course, chafing. For what seems like forever I have just worn normal bike shorts from Target. My problem with them, and with most typical exercise bike shorts, is that they’re just too long! With my knee-length dresses I am constantly concerned that they will show as I’m walking. Not fun at all.

On a recent Corporette post, a commenter mentioned that she uses Jockey Skimmies Slipshorts. Seriously, these seem like the answer to a prayer. They are inexpensive, come in a bunch of colors, and have different lengths. Plus the reviews are mostly very good, and report no roll-up (or down) or muffin-top. Woohoo! I am definitely going to be trying out the regular length, although there is also a shorter length. $20 at Amazon.

Readers, have you tried the Slipshorts? Do you feel comfortable wearing dresses on travel days?

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Over the past couple of years, I have made an effort to introduce more patterns into my wardrobe. Of course, shirts are the easiest place to add interest. Thanks to the inspiration of blogs like Corporette my upper-body wardrobe has slowly been evolving. However, I’ve decided it’s time to move to the next level in patterns: skirts. All of my work skirts are solid gray and black. The cover of a recent Anthropologie showed me the ultimate goal, a fabulous bright orange and white skirt. But someone like me, who has lived in a world of gray and black for so long, can’t just jump into bright orange. Steps must be taken to ease me into this new, colorful place.

The first step was surprisingly easy. I was at Old Navy during their recent dress sale and found this adorable turquoise and white striped dress. Topped with a red cardigan and skinny belt, it is my new favorite outfit for work. I wore it to a recent conference, was incredibly comfortable, and got tons of compliments.

I now feel like I’m ready to buy the spectacular Anthropologie skirt (or this very similar one from Boden). But I struggle with what to wear with it. The Anthro picture shows it with a light purple blouse, and that would work really well. But I think I like it with a mint tee better. It seems like the trick is to keep the top slightly contrasting but close to neutral. Add nude flats for comfort, plus a cream colored cardigan in case the plane gets cold, and you’ve got a lovely summer business casual travel outfit!

If you’re not quite ready for bright orange, I also really like this black and white chevron skirt from Ann Taylor.

Hooray patterns!

Readers, do you wear patterns during business travel? What are your favorite items?

(February is a weird word to write in the plural!)

February 2012:

• I compiled my favorite tips for the plane etiquette round up
• TOMS came out with ballet flats
• The New York Times and I disagreed about the top 5 ways to avoid baggage fees
• A friend got some help about traveling with injectable medicine

February 2011:

• I got some great packing tips for your more delicate items.
• Since missing loved ones is a hard part of business travel, I talked about dealing with homesickness
• The series Building a Business Travel Wardrobe started, with a focus on suits and business casual.

February 2010:

• I learned what to pack for a winter business trip
• After much trial and error, I shared my tips for dealing with swollen ankles
•  Snowmaggedon 2010 happened.

A little over a year ago I posted about my new obsession with navy. I had immediate plans to purchase a pair of navy slacks. But I got pregnant very soon after, and it seemed silly to buy pants I wouldn’t be able to wear. Fast forward a year, and I am back to my pre-pregnancy size (yay!) so FINALLY got my navy pants.

After a careful search, I got the Perfect Trouser Pinstripe Pants in Navy from Gap ($59.95 regular price). Y’all, these are the best pants ever. They are beautiful! The pinstripe is subtle, the cut is perfect, and the quality is very high. The reviews said they run a bit small, so I sized up and they fit perfectly. They are definitely flared, so if slim is more your style then they won’t work for you. They have a bit of stretch, so they are very comfortable and moved well. I was also impressed by how good they looked straight out of my suitcase. Plus, they don’t have to be dry-cleaned. My only problem with them is that they are quite long. If you wear heels that’s great! I don’t wear heels, so I will probably have them hemmed. They are regularly priced at $59.95 but I purchased them during a 30% off sale so they were around $40. A super deal, IMO.

Here’s how I wear navy during travel:

• No suits. I love navy suits—they are the ultimate power statement. But when it comes to airlines, they are also the best way to be mistaken for a flight attendant. Same goes for navy pants with a navy sweater. The monochromatic look is cute at the office, but you might get asked for a beverage on a plane.
• Color on top. Navy looks great with a variety of colors—green, yellow, and purple are my favorites. But it also looks great with orange and pink, if they are the right shades. I go back and forth on red—I love the way it looks, but I wonder if it’s too flag-like.

Recently I have been wearing the slacks with a cream colored camisole and my Merona green and cream polka dot cardigan. Love it!

November 2011:

• I did a super fun Business Traveler Interview with Aliza Sherman and Danielle Smith.
• After suffering from a sinus infection, I gave tips for avoiding them.
• I went to Blog World, and figured out how to pack for a conference.
• Transitioning to Fall Wardrobe

November 2010:

• Learn what happens when you don’t stay home when you’re sick with The Tale of Typhoid Mary
• I rediscovered my love for sweater dresses.
• The TSA started their extra touchy-feely pat downs. Fun times!

November 2009:

• Recommendations for what to pack on a fun trip.
• DFW got the first Sephora vending machine. Swoon.

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We have finally had some cold weather in Texas, so you know what that means. Everyone is getting out their sweaters and boots! (Of course we’ll be back in tee shirts next week. Oh well.) But right now, sweaters are a pretty safe bet in various parts of the country. They’re so cozy and warm. I love sweater season! I really love the Stick Around Sweater in Stone from Modcloth. The v-neck , oversized buttons, and tulip hemline keep it interesting and feminine. I would wear it over a long sleeved tee—maybe purple, teal, or yellow—and with gray or navy slacks. Cozy indeed!

This post includes affiliate links.

Business Travel 101 is a series from a couple of years ago about making that first business trip as easy and successful as possible. I’ve re-tooled the series, and now it’s more comprehensive than ever! It covers everything a new business traveler needs to know for that initial trip, including essential tips for packing, security, safety, etiquette, and comfort.

Travel is part of the job for many of us, and heading to the office directly from the airport is often an unfortunate necessity. Even though you may feel exhausted and travel-weary, it is possible to avoid the travel-worn look that is the hallmark of many road warriors. Tricks abound for both short and long flights. Obviously, for a red-eye or other long flight the strategy is a little more intense. But don’t worry! No one has to know you got up at 4am or that you commuted six hours for your meeting.

For all flights:

• Wear comfortable, wrinkle resistant clothes. The easiest way to look good during and after travel: clothes that don’t wrinkle.  Nothing says, “I just got off a plane,” like a crumpled shirt and creased skirt.  There are plenty of wrinkle-resistant, non-iron clothes out there, like this Foxcroft fitted shirt from Nordstrom. Trust me, this is not the time to wear your new linen suit, no matter how cute and professional it is. I also highly recommend flats (like these adorable CK Jeans Women’s Tiffany Ballet Flat).
• Stay hydrated. This is important for comfort, health, and looking good. Drink at least 8 oz of water for every hour you are flying. This will keep you from getting dehydrated, which in turn keeps you feeling more alert and prevents your skin from feeling like sandpaper.
• Freshen up upon arrival. Once you land, head to the ladies’ room to repair any damage that may have occurred to hair or makeup during the flight.

For longer flights: Read more of this article »

One year ago….

• TSA crossed the line….again.
• I fell in love with navy and discovered the awesoness of gel soles.
• On my journey to more miles, one strategy worked (a miles credit card) and one backfired (trying for a travel voucher).
• Movie streaming apps on my phone changed my life. No joke.
• The Top Five Travel Necessities: Things I Wear is still very true, and something I consult for packing all the time.

Two years ago…..

• I answered readers’ question about traveling to rainy destinations and plus-size travel outfits.
• The TSA announced some updates to its liquids carry-on rules.
• I got super excited about flats, boots, and travel wallets.
• Andi Fisher from Misadventures with Andi wrote a great post about healthy eating on the road.
• Readers voted, and decided the correct term is “rollaboard” instead of “rollerboard”.

Three years ago…..

• The Home Warrior and I had a fantastic trip to Napa.
• I wrote about the importance of sleep on the road.

It’s happened to so many of us. You’ve landed a job right out of school, and realized you can’t wear yoga pants and tee-shirts to work. Or you just had a baby and need a transitional wardrobe until your old clothes fit you again. Or (as happened to one unfortunate person on a message board I frequent) your husband accidentally dropped off your dry cleaning bag at Goodwill. You need a work wardrobe, and you need it on a budget. The variables increase when your job includes travel. I’m going through this right now, and while it’s fun (hooray shopping!) it’s also stressful having to start from scratch. Here are some tips for getting a business travel wardrobe on a budget, as well as a sample capsule wardrobe to start with. (For more in depth advice, check out my Building a Business Travel Wardrobe series.)

Prepare to spend a little time. Any time you have a budget, you have to spend a little more time planning and searching. That’s okay! It means you will get the absolute most for your money.

Professional, comfortable, and wrinkle-free. These are the most important features of any business travel wardrobe.  Obviously you want to look professional, but comfort is just as important. Any time you spend hours traveling to your destination comfort is key! And once you arrive, you certainly don’t want to waste your precious time ironing.

Shop the sales and outlet malls. Nordstrom has fantastic sales on really nice merchandise.  I also love the sales at Talbots and Ann Taylor. Likewise, outlet malls can have amazing deals. The catch: it takes a lot of time to comb through the rough to find the diamonds.

Sign up for email lists. The best way to find out if your favorite store is having a sale is by email. Before I signed up for Banana Republic’s email list, I never knew they regularly had 40% off the entire store. Talk about a great deal!

Spend the bulk on basics. Definitely spend more on slacks and skirts that you’ll wear over and over again, and less on tops and accessories. Also make sure those items are a neutral color that will go with everything you buy.

Discount stores are great for trends. Target and Old Navy always have fun tops and belts for low prices, plus amazing sales on a regular basis.

For a basic business travel wardrobe, I would start with the following: Read more of this article »