First off, a Manila update. After repeated phone calls to my hotel and travel agent, I feel mostly confident that my trip will be fine. So I am currently in DFW awaiting my flight to Tokyo. Also, after much drama and last minute angst, I thankfully got cleared for an upgrade to business class for the longest leg of my trip. Yes!!!

Yesterday afternoon, as I was consulting my extensive packing list and trying to get all of my stuff together, I realized I had misplaced my compression socks. Well, not all of them. Three of them. It seems the Sock Monster has struck in a big way at my house, and I have completely lost one pair and one single.  After a frantic search through various sock drawers and the laundry room (with visions of my feet swelling to Violet Beuregarde-like proportions), I accepted the loss. But that started a new freak out: where do I find compression socks at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon, the day before I travel? A quick web search of Target, Macy’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, Academy, and REI were no help—Target didn’t have any in stores, REI’s were all of the “recovery” variety and therefore like $50, and the other stores didn’t have any at all. In desperation, I googled “compression socks”. Inspiration struck from an unlikely source: Walgreens.

Apparently, compression socks are considered a medical item, so they are available at drugstores. At least, some drug stores. I clicked on “find in store,” put in my zip code, and waited for my local Walgreens to come up. Uh, no. No Walgreens within ten miles of me had my size and color preference in stock. After scrolling through three pages of stores, I found a store twenty miles away that had them. Whatever, I’ll take it.

Now that I’ve tried them on, I think they’re actually a little more comfortable than my other ones that I lost. But mostly I’m just super grateful that I found some when I needed them. So next time you need compression socks at the last minute, check your local Walgreens. You might just be surprised.

Yesterday, you guys gave me some really great advice. I will be calling my hotel in Manila to check on their status tonight. For now, though, I’m moving forward on the assumption that I will be going.

My question today is pillows. On this trip, instead of having a day to recover before my meetings start, I will land after 25 hours of travel, go to the hotel and change, and head straight to the office. Oy. I have requested a business class upgrade, but I haven’t gotten confirmation that I’ve received it yet. Just in case, I want to be super prepared for 14 hours of comfort in coach. I’ve got a travel blanket that I’m happy with (I think–may have to double check that one), earplugs, an eye-mask, and my trusty Tylenol PM, but I’m not totally sure about the pillow. In the past I’ve used a buckwheat pillow and a memory foam pillow, and honestly, neither one has been ideal. So I am interested in hearing from you guys about what types of pillows you have used and how they’ve worked.

Here are the types I’ve seen:

Buckwheat. The U-shape works well for people want to support their head and neck, and plan to sleep upright. I prefer to lean against the side of the plane, which is not what these pillows are made for.

Memory foam. The one I have is made to go around the head rest of the seat. Again, I like to lean against the side of the plane. Has anyone seen one of these that isn’t contoured? Does it even work if it’s not contoured?

Inflatable. I’ve never used one, but they sure do seem cool. Taking up minimal space in your bag but offering super comfort once you blow it up? That sounds awesome. Who has one, and what do you think about it?

Any pillows that I missed? Any suggestions? Hooray, long flights!

To join or not to join?  For the past five years, I’ve gone back and forth on this issue. All airlines have clubs, and some are certainly better than others. Sure, it’s nice to be able to take advantage of the Admiral’s club, but my layovers are usually very short.  The international clubs are very nice, but I get to use those because of my status anyway. So what’s the big deal? Is it really worth $300-400 or 40k or so points to join for a year?

Then, last week happened. I was in Nashville and finished with my meetings early, around 3pm. I headed to the airport, determined to get on an earlier flight than my scheduled 6:45. When I got there, they were looking for people to take vouchers for a later flight. So I inquired about the next flight. Also oversold. The after that? Yep. So, since I was at the airport three hours early, I took advantage of a free day pass  in the Admiral’s club.

And I have to say: it was wonderful. Comfortable chairs, better wine selection, very helpful staff, free internet, and just a feeling of being away from all of the busy-ness of the airport. Now I am seriously considering joining, but I wanted to find out what others’ experience has been.

So, Readers, what has your experience been? Have you joined your airline’s club? Do you love it? Or was it a waste of money? As always, feel free to share your comments!

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Reader M is possibly a genius. She has put together a personal amenities kit that would thrill any frequent flier. When she sent me the incredible list of what is included, I didn’t believe that she could fit it together in a way that was practical for travel. Then she sent me pictures, and I became a believer. While it would take a while to put together, this kit  would make you feel like you’re in first class even in the last row of coach. And it is more compact than you would believe.  She said flight attendants’ eyes “bug out” when she unpacks it, because of the amount of things that come out of this plastic case and because of how cool it is.

M starts with a plastic case, like what you get when you buy a sheet. Then she includes:

1. White linen napkin
2. Silver napkin ring
3. Placemat (made out of lovely cloth so it’s foldable, and altered with elastic to grab the airplane tray)
4. Silver-coated plastic fork, knife and spoon
5. Chopsticks (in case she finds sushi in the airport)
6. Tin of tiger balm
7. Packet of Advil
8. Lip balm
9. Small toothbrush (Colgate wisp)
10. Eyeshades
11. Cucumber eye pads, and fragrant moisturizing face wipes, in a ziplock
12. Eye drops
13. Comb
14. A suction cup clip, for the window ( to hold your reading material - more accessible than the pocket)
15. Earplugs
16. Soft socks (or compression socks)
17. Inflatable pillow
18. Small pashmina
19. Ginger candies/raisins/other dried fruit, in a ziplock
20. Fancy tea bags (ask the flight attendant for hot water only)
21. Energy bar

Here is what it looks like all spread out:

And here it is packed:

So far everything has gotten through TSA just fine, even the eye drops. I can’t imagine what else I would add-maybe gum? or my hydrating face spray? If you add a pashmina, you would be good to go for just about any length of trip. This list is pretty darn comprehensive, and the suction cup for reading material is brilliant.

Readers, what would you add?

ETA: Unfortunately, this kit is not something that M is selling, it is just something she put together for herself. Sorry to get your hopes up! Although I would certainly buy one if it were available….

In all of my “long flight comfort” posts, I list compression socks. Wearing them on a long flight can be very beneficial on a lot of levels. Stylish? Not exactly. Super comfortable? Not so much. But worth it? Absolutely.  They are great because they basically help keep your circulation going  in your feet, legs, and ankles. From ClotCare.com:

In your leg veins, blood must flow upward to the heart. Graduated compression stockings apply a certain amount of pressure near your ankle and then apply gradually less and less pressure as they move up the leg. In this way, they help to squeeze or push blood back up the leg from the ankle to the thigh in an effort to counteract pooling of blood in the leg and the resultant swelling.

The two main benefits, related to travel, are that they will:

• Keep you from swelling.Long flights, or a lot of flying in a short amount of time, can make your feet, legs, and ankles swell. This can be uncomfortable, especially if it gets to the point where your shoes are too tight. I have had some pretty severe swelling in the past, but when I flew to Manila with compression socks on my feet and ankles were barely bigger than normal. Even with the 25 hours of travel time.
• Help prevent DVT. Deep Vein Thrombosis can cause blood clots in the legs, which leads to painful, red, and swollen legs, and even possibly death.

It’s not always possible to find cute ones (although LuLu Lemon has some on occasion), but mine are black and go with most long flight clothing options. You can find them at many places, including Amazon and TravelSmith, for less than $20. A good deal for something so helpful!

A comment from last week’s What to Wear to the Airport post got me thinking.

Mimi said:

I tend to get cold on long flights – especially now that blankets cost extra! Do you have any suggestions for what to wear if you are either 1) traveling in the wintertime? 2) over age 55 and might not look so great in leggings and a t-shirt (i.e. like they are trying too hard to look cute)?

Since I travel primarily for business, I only dress very casually on really long travel days (such as my upcoming trip to Manila–25 hours of travel!). On a normal length travel day, I will typically wear slacks with some stretch and some sort of knit top with cute flats. However, for those extra-long travel days, there are certainly lots of potential things to wear to the airport besides a dress and leggings.

The easiest part of a comfortable outfit is the top. Wear layers, in a knit, and bring a pashmina. I like to wear a t-shirt or cami that is really soft, topped by a cardigan, wrap, or long sleeved tee.  In the winter, of course, there are additional layers such as a sweater or jacket. I love drapey cardigans that will wrap around you–that extra cuddly layer can really keep in the warmth on a cold plane. (This one on sale at 6pm.com is a great example, and the price is nice!) I always take a pashmina, on every flight, no matter what. It has come in handy so many times as a pillow, blanket, napkin, etc. If you tend to get really cold look into a travel blanket that packs small but keeps you very warm, like this one from Eagle Creek.

The hardest part of a comfortable travel outfit is the bottom. No matter how comfortable, pants can chafe if you wear them for too long. Yoga pants, while casual, offer comfort, warmth, and pants that will move with you. If you are not feeling so casual, TravelSmith has some great travel pants, like their Voyager Knit Pants, that offer the comfort of yoga pants with a more traditional shape. Chico’s also has pants designed for comfort during travel, like the Travelers Fluid Pant. As a bonus, both of these pants pack well. Another option is a long skirt or dress, and if you get cold wear (you guessed it) leggings or tights underneath.

It is definitely possible to be comfortable and look good while traveling, regardless of age.  After all, it’s hard to enjoy your trip if you’re worrying about your clothes the whole time!

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about wearing leggings and a t-shirt dress on a long flight. It feels like wearing pajamas, but looks much nicer. Soon after I made that post, I found a bunch of very cute t-shirt dresses on sale at Athleta. I ordered some, and I am in LOVE. They are so soft, comfy, and incredibly cute. Great for pulling on over workout clothes, wearing on the weekends, or of course, wearing on a long flight with leggings. My favorite is the Teelicious Duh Dress, available in a range of colors and sizes, for $20.99. Based on the reviews, I sized up. It also stretches out a bit once you wear it, which made it fit perfectly. I definitely recommend it for a t-dress, especially with the sale price.  Besides this dress, they have a ton of workout and casual gear on great sale. So if you’re in the market, check it out!

I promise, it’s not an April Fools joke.

I recently found out I will be making another trip to Manila in May. Traveling to Manila takes approximately 26 hours from Texas, so whatever I wear has to be comfortable. Last time, I wore yoga pants, a tank top, and a long sleeved tee-shirt with sneakers. It was comfortable, but maybe not my most professional moment. This time, I will be traveling with co-workers, so wearing the same things I sleep in at home feels little, well, weird. I still want to be as comfortable as if I were wearing my jammies, but I need to look a little more pulled together. Enter the magical leggings.

Honestly, when I heard leggings were coming back in style I cringed. Seriously? How is that flattering? But I have since learned that worn the right way, leggings can look great, and there is no denying the comfort level. For my upcoming Manila flights, here is my planned outfit:

Leggings. I love these organic cotton black leggings from Gaiam. They are well priced, longer than normal, and eco-friendly.

Dress. There are a lot of great options from TravelSmith. I’m leaning towards this Convertible Neckline dress, or the Dramatic Gathered dress. They are soft, stylish, comfortable, and will resist wrinkles.

Cardigan. Airplanes can be cold, so I am going to wear a wrap cardigan similar to this one from Barefoot Dreams. It’s soft, made from bamboo, and will wrap around me like a blanket.

Pashmina, compression socks, flats. Got to finish it up with the critical accessories.

Dressed this way, I will be super comfy, have layers so I can deal with temperature variations, and still look nice enough to travel with co-workers. Sounds like a win to me!

Recently, a discussion sprang up in the comments of my favorite blog, Corporette. The question was: If you have a job with physical requirements, such as moving boxes, lifting things, standing on step-ladders, etc, is it still possible to dress professionally?

I think it absolutely is possible. Are there challenges? Of course! Can you wear anything you want? Nope. I don’t really have “typical” days at the office–my days are almost always different, depending on if I’m traveling and working on the same day, attending meetings, doing presentations, or attending expo type of events. On days with meetings or presentations, I can pretty much wear what I want, as long as it’s professional. On travel days, I make sure to wear pants in case of additional airport screening or cold airplanes. And on expo days, well, those are the days that I have to plan ahead.

A typical expo day can involve moving, lifting, and opening boxes; crawling under tables to make sure that wires and cables are connected; standing on chairs or stepladders to hang things; moving tables and chairs into position; and then, of course, the actual expo where I have to present to clients. On those days, the optimal outfit would be tennis shoes, yoga pants, and a long sleeve tee-shirt. Except for that whole dressing professionally thing. The next best thing is to wear an outfit made of professional pieces that FEELS like tennis shoes, yoga pants, and a long sleeve tee-shirt.

My typical expo day outfit includes:

• Black slacks with stretch. Black because it will hide any dirt I may have picked up crawling around on the ground. And stretch because with all of the bending and moving I do, I need pants that will move with me and still retain their shape.
• Cute, professional, longer-length knit top. Cute and professional are obvious ones here. I prefer longer length tops for the same reason I want pants with stretch–I move so much I want a top that will move with me, and I prefer not to show any skin when hanging things. Because I am busty, I worry about wearing button down shirts gaping while setting up a room, and knit tops are great because they also have a bit of stretch.
• Comfortable flats. After all of the room setup I often have to do, I have to be on my feet presenting for hours. I need supportive flats, and my sense of style means they have to also be fabulous. Many of my shoes also have gel inserts. Any type of professional-looking flat will work.

Sometimes, it is so tempting to dress too casually. No one will care! I think to myself. They probably won’t even notice what I’m wearing! That may be true. But regardless of whether people notice what I’m wearing or not, I feel more confident and in charge when wearing something professional. If someone did notice that I was wearing tennis shoes, they may not judge me. But I want to make a good impression on my clients, showing that I take them and the job I do for them seriously. So I will wear my nice clothes, making sure that they are comfortable and will move with me. That way I can do the job I came to do and look great doing it.

Business Travel 101 is a weekly series about making that first business trip as easy and successful as possible. Packing, security, comfort, and etiquette are all factors that, with a little planning, can contribute to a smooth and efficient trip. If you think of a topic I should include, email me at RoadWarriorette@gmail.com.

Travel is a fact of life for many of us, and heading to the office right after a flight often an unfortunate necessity. There are things you can do to avoid the travel-worn look so many road warriors have. 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.  TravelSmith has a great collection, as does Brooks Brothers. Trust me, this is not the time to wear your new linen suit, no matter how cute and professional it is.
• 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:

• Put your hair back. If you have long hair, keep your hair in a low ponytail. This keeps your hair controlled, gets it out of your way, and minimizes the crimp that can happen when you have a higher ponytail. It also allows you to comfortably rest your head against the seat. Another good option is a braid.
• Moisturize!! Use lip balm and hand lotion often.  There are also great face sprays that you can use to keep your skin hydrated. I like the Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist.
• Get some rest. Use an eye mask and earplugs if necessary, or even a Tylenol PM, so that you wake up feeling (and looking) refreshed.
• Avoid mascara. This doesn’t work for everyone, but if you feel comfortable going without mascara for the flight I highly recommend it. It’s an easy way to avoid the raccoon look on a red-eye. Or, you can…..
• Do your morning routine. Wash your face, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and refresh your makeup before landing. Once you wake up, nothing feels better or more eye-opening than washing your face. It helps get rid of the travel grime, and gives you a fresh canvas for applying makeup. I like to use face cleansing pads like these from Korres. For brushing your teeth, you can use your normal toothbrush or one of those new disposable ones. Finally, going through an airplane friendly (possibly slightly abbreviated) makeup routine will make you look your best and feel ready to take on the world, and hide the fact that you slept on a 757.
• If that’s not an option….. If you’re flying in Economy and you don’t think you can get a few minutes in the lav to freshen up, use the face cleansing pads at your seat. You can chew gum to make your mouth feel fresh, and probably even apply minimal makeup.
• Put on fresh clothes. Some people like to wear something very comfortable for sleeping on the plane, and then change into their business outfit for the day immediately before arriving. It’s definitely one way to avoid the wrinkles you get when sleeping in your clothes, but may not be feasible for everyone.