A concise guide to business casual travel outfits

Work trips are often packed with back-to-back meetings, networking events, and social functions, sometimes all in one day. That’s why packing for business travel can be challenging—unlike a tropical vacation, you’ll need more than just sunscreen and shorts. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to plan versatile business casual travel outfits that keep you looking sharp and feeling at ease on flights, during meetings, and at everything in between. With the right clothes, you’ll feel confident and comfortable throughout your business trip, allowing you to focus on what matters: Your company’s bottom line.

Packing tips for business travel

When it comes to work-trip packing, jamming a nice suit into a carry-on won’t help you close the deal. Consider planning your work travel outfits ahead of time, whether you’re flying international or domestic. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics: Never reach for the hotel iron again—wrinkle-resistant materials like cotton blends, wool, and polyester are ideal for business travel. These fabrics stay fresh, even after being packed in your suitcase, and require little to no ironing when you arrive.
• Stick to neutral colors: A simple color palette of blacks, grays, navy, and khaki doesn’t make you boring—it makes you versatile. These neutral colors are easy to mix and match: A pair of black pants and a beige cardigan can be used multiple times, saving you luggage space. It also saves you time in pairing outfits together.
• Keep your shoe selection simple: Shoes take up a lot of space, so choose options you can use in both meetings and dinners. For example, dark-colored dress shoes for men and flats for women are perfect for both day and night events. Just don’t take them to the beach.
• Check the weather: Always check the weather before your trip. Even if you’re flying to a warm destination, you never know when a cold front or stormy weather may appear. For hot destinations, breathable fabrics like linen and cotton, or moisture-wicking materials, are ideal to keep you cool. In cooler climates, you’ll want to layer up with heavier fabrics like wool, cashmere, or thermal blends.
• Use packing cubes or compression sacks: Packing cubes and compression sacks help save space and organize your luggage. You can separate your clothes (and other essentials, like travel electronics) by category in the cubes, making it easy to find them when you arrive. Compression sacks may be handy for bulkier items like sweaters when traveling to the cold.
• Stick to carry-on only: Traveling with just a carry-on bag saves you a lot of time at the airport. It’s also a huge win when you don’t have to deal with lost luggage.

5 casual outfit ideas for business trips

We’ve assessed the most common business trip scenarios and compiled a list of essential items. Make this your new go-to packing list for business comfortable attire.

1. Flight outfits

Hustling through the airport only to sit for hours on a plane can be stressful on your body. This is why our go-to plane outfit is a soft cotton-blend blouse paired with comfortable black pants—a simple look that withstands any travel journey. 

In the same vein of comfort and style, consider these other staples:

• A lightweight cardigan or blazer: This overwear is a versatile layering piece that’s easy to remove in the TSA line, keeps you warm on the plane, and still looks nice when you land.
• Comfortable pants with a breathable top: Choose stretchy pants or chinos paired with a relaxed, breathable shirt or blouse. Check out sportswear companies that make comfortable yet sophisticated tops and bottoms using high-tech materials. Avoid tight jeans and other restrictive fabrics. Tight clothing can constrict your waist, hips, and legs, potentially leading to swelling and reduced circulation.
• Compression socks: When you’re sitting still for an extended period, blood can pool in your lower extremities, leading to swelling and other risks. Compression socks promote leg circulation to mitigate these issues.
• Slip-on flats, sneakers, or loafers: Slip-on shoes eliminate the hassle of bending down or tying and untying laces at security checkpoints. They also tend to have more flexibility than other shoes, ideal for swelling feet during long flights.
  

2. Meeting outfits

Ready to make a solid first impression at a meeting? Our go-to outfit is a fitted neutral-colored blazer paired with a white button-down shirt and black pants. Below are similar staples you can mix or match to make several other business casual travel outfits:

• Fitted neutral-colored blazer: A well-fitted blazer in a neutral color like navy, black, or beige instantly elevates any outfit, making you look sharp and polished no matter the context.
• White button-down shirt: This timeless classic never goes out of style in a professional setting. It’s a crisp and clean addition to any outfit that you can dress up or down depending on the occasion—add a blazer for a formal look or pair it with tailored pants for a more relaxed look. Layer it under a sweater and add accessories for some added personality.
• Black trousers: This is the most versatile and professional piece you can pack for a business trip. Black trousers exude professionalism without sacrificing comfort. Pair them with basically anything.
• Loafers or block heels: As for shoes, loafers and block heels are great. Make sure to break them in before the trip, ensuring they’re comfortable enough for all-day wear. These shoes work equally well for formal meetings and business-casual events.
• Minimal accessories: A watch or subtle jewelry can elevate your look without attracting too much attention. Any timepiece is a practical addition during meetings where you need to keep track of time without constantly checking your phone.
  

3. Dinner and cocktail outfits

For these events, prioritize outfits that look and feel good. This means leaving any one-time use or over-the-top looks at home. The aim with these outfits is to feel comfortable enough to socialize after a long day of meetings, but not to dispense with formality entirely:

• Dress shoes: Dark-colored, polished dress shoes are ideal for more formal events. Look for shoes with insoles that provide arch support to feel professional without compromising comfort.
• Dark-colored suit or dress: A dark suit for men or a sophisticated dress or jumpsuit for women are professional looks that transition well from business to after-hours. During the day, a suit jacket or blazer can keep the outfit looking more professional.
• Accessories to change up your look: A statement necklace, bracelet, or sleek watch can personalize your look without going overboard.

If it’s a less formal affair, aim for a sharp yet relaxed business casual dinner outfit—maybe a blouse with tailored trousers and stylish flats for women, and a blazer with dark jeans and a button-down shirt for men.

4. Exploring the city outfits

If you find yourself in meetings in the morning and sightseeing in the afternoon, here’s how to go from one to the other:

• Joggers: Chinos or joggers are ideal because they’re not too tight and allow for easy movement, whether walking around the city or sitting down for a quick coffee. They can easily transition from sightseeing to a casual meeting.
• Sweater or cardigan: Wear a soft sweater or cardigan over your outfit—it’s comfy, warms you up, and makes an outfit look more put-together.
• Lightweight jacket: A lightweight jacket (like a windbreaker or sports jacket) is easy to pack and can be layered over a cardigan for cooler days or evenings.
• Sunglasses: A chic pair of sunglasses is the perfect accessory for a sunny day out in the town or an outdoor lunch with your colleagues.
• Fanny pack or crossbody bag: A fanny pack or crossbody bag is a practical option for essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys, keeping your valuables safe and close to your body while navigating busy city streets or public transport.
  

5. Casual day-off outfits

For days off, the goal is a laid-back look that still looks put-together—just in case you run into someone you know. For a comfy business casual outfit, try a knit sweater paired with dark jeans, comfortable sneakers, and a crossbody bag. If you want to expand your style when out of office, steal these looks:

• Comfortable yet polished top: A well-fitted, neutral-colored T-shirt, casual blouse, or knit sweater is cozy and simple. This can also double as the shirt you wear on your plane ride home. Pair this with any relaxed-fit pants you’ve already set aside earlier in the list.
• Stylish sneakers or casual loafers: Strolling through the city? Meeting up with colleagues for lunch? Ditch the hard leather shoe and choose a versatile option ideal for both leisure and errands.
• Casual jacket or cardigan: Layer up, if needed, with a cozy cardigan or denim jacket. This doesn’t just apply to cooler days—the AC in co-working cafes can be glacial.

Let Engine handle every detail of your business trip

Remember to pack light, choose versatile, neutral-colored pieces, and consider the weather before you go. Don’t forget the essentials—comfortable shoes, a well-fitted blazer, a crisp white button-down, and your formal shoes. 

After you’ve put together the perfect business travel wardrobe, it’s time to dial-in the rest of your itinerary. That’s where Engine comes in.

Engine is your all-in-one platform for booking flights, hotels, and rental cars, keeping all the essentials in one place. With Engine, you can focus on what matters most—whether it’s closing deals or making connections—while we take care of the logistics.