shirt: Zara (gift) ~ cardi: Target ($15) ~ skirt: Esprit (part of old suit set) ~ belt: Target ($17) ~ shoes: ?? via Macy's (old, not sure of cost)

Date: January 7, 2010
Ensemble message: Wednesday and Thursday of this week, I was in Arkansas on a short business trip.  Even though it was just an overnight trip, I wanted to work one major clothing item into both outfits.  I chose this black skirt because it doesn't wrinkle (I had a 3 hour flight) and could easily be made into 2 outfits without it being obvious that I wore the same skirt 2 days in a row.  And the small heel on these shoes were great for both standing in front of a room to present and navigating my way through the airport later that night.  The overall look is a classic office look, but with my spin on it: lacy shirt/stockings, mixing black & brown, and of course the chartreuse cardigan.
My flight was packed, and I ended up sitting next to an older gentleman who was wearing a dress shirt and tie.  I was dead tired and just wanted to get some work done and then nap.  But my neighbor was super friendly and started asking me questions around why I was in Arkansas and what did I do for the Day Job.  He seemed nice enough, so we began chatting and explained that I am in Human Resources.  I found out that he works for Lion Brand Yarn, and he mentioned several people at my company that he knew, all of them being in Sales.  I then innocently asked, "Oh, are you in Sales as well?"  His reply: "No, I'm the COO for Lion."  Imagine my shock!  We then went on to chat throughout most of the flight, even as I did some work, and we discussed everything from our companies to our families.
The point I want to make here is that I did not change before catching my flight.  I had time to and could have easily packed sweats or leggings in my carry-on.  However, you never ever know who you will be sitting next to!  What if I was looking for a job or a new client?  Or what if our companies worked closely together (they don't).  If I didn't look professional, he may not have been inclined to strike up a conversation, and I would have missed an opportunity.  So think carefully about what to wear before traveling... you don't necessarily have to dress in a suit, but you may want to think twice about rolling out of bed and heading right to the airport!

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Don't you love it when the week starts a day late but still ends with Friday? :)  Well, I must apologize for the lack of posts over the past week, especially since I promised a quick one last Thursday.  Between traveling for work and my little sister's wedding last Saturday (which was sooo perfect!), I did not have the energy to blog.  So without further adieu, here are your 3 must-haves when traveling for business:

1. Bottom Half: Pants or skirt with a little stretch, for two reasons... first, bottoms with stretch will be most comfortable when sitting on a plane or train for long stretches of time.  Second, there will be less wrinkles when you get to your destination!

2. Top Half: I recommend layers on top because you never know what type(s) of climates you'll encounter between the actual travel and your final destination.  Might as well be prepared!  Also, a more structured top like a blazer will not only look more professional, but will also keep its shape throughout the day.

3. Shoes: I can't say enough about traveling in flats!  What if you're running late?  Like, literally running to the bus stop or your gate?!  Running in heels will wreck your feet and your mood for sure.  Now, if you need to wear heels once you get to your meeting, it's easy enough to make a swap and stash flip flops or ballet flats in your bag.  I tend to wear not only flats, but also closed toe shoes when traveling because if my feet are warm, I overall feel warm and comfortable.

Finally, if you'll be away for more than a day, give yourself options just in case the weather changes or the office dress code is not what you expected.  When I was packing for my Arkansas trip, I packed a top with matching skirt AND jeans for my second day.  I really wanted to wear the jeans, but then found out that the VPs at this location only allow jeans on Fridays.  I would have felt really awkward if I didn't have the skirt option!

So there you have it!  What are your must-haves when traveling for business??