There's packing, and then there's packing for a work trip.
Sure, that conference in Maui sounds like a dream, but when your days are spent inside the Arctic chill of a conference room, you won't exactly be reaching for that breezy sundress.
Even if your trip leans lax, you'll still need to look presentable. Think drinks with colleagues, a client dinner, or a team meetup that begins pretty much the moment you step onto the tarmac.
Fortunately, you don't need to transport your entire wardrobe. You just need a few smart pieces that reliably show up polished straight from your suitcase.
I travel for work regularly, and I've curated the following five pieces to work interchangeably and become a capsule I can pack without thinking. I no longer hem and haw over blazers, or deliberate over which dress feels "nice" enough to chat with a client, but not so formal I'll feel out of place.
By editing down my looks, I can stay team carry-on only. Here's a closer look at each piece.
1. Wide-leg trousers anchor almost every outfit
Sleek trousers are the — no pun intended — workhorse of a great business trip outfit. They're dressy without going overboard, but can be toned down with a tee. The elevated pleating makes them look work-appropriate either way.
But the Lululemon Daydrift High-Rise Wide-Leg Trousers, in particular, hide a compelling secret. While they look meant for the boardroom, they secretly feel like Sunday morning sweatpants.
Truly. The pants are high-waisted and fairly loose (go with your regular size or down one if in between), pull on and off (an interior drawcord cinches for the perfect fit), and are made from a blend of sweat-wicking nylon and Lycra elastane with four-way stretch.
The breathable, cool-to-the-touch knit feels strikingly similar to workout pants, but coworkers will be none the wiser. You could easily wear these on an airplane without sacrificing any comfort.
The material is also resistant to wrinkling. I've also left them wadded in a ball and saw no creases. They'll be ready to go from the moment you open your luggage.
I chose a neutral camel-like sand color, which goes with anything, but it also comes in shades of black, gray, and navy.
For the most versatility, I style with a classic fitted tee — ideally in black, white, or cream — and a pair of heels.
The pants instantly dress up what would otherwise be a basic shirt, and then you'll have that staple top to rewear with anything else. You could also kick things up a notch for an important meeting with a button-down, layer with a cardi, or throw on a jacket or blazer to mix things up.
For more of our favorite comfortable trousers, see our article on the best stretchy work pants.
Daydrift High-Rise Wide-Leg Trousers, Sand
2. Straight-leg pants to take the place of jeans
Even though the pants above are secretly soft and stretchy, they still look fancy.
So when I don't want to seem like I'm trying so hard — i.e., grabbing breakfast with colleagues or meeting a client for coffee — I prefer a more casual pair of pants.
Made from Lululemon's Cotton-Blend Utilitech™ Twill Fabric, the Lululemon EasyFive Mid-Rise Relaxed-Straight Pants are crisp, structured, and feel substantial like denim, but still have plenty of stretch. They're also resistant to wrinkling, even fresh out of the dryer.
For this reason, they're a strong choice to wear on a plane when you have somewhere to go right after deplaning. They're laid-back like jeans, only more presentable — and comfortable.
The silhouette is loose and relaxed without venturing into baggy territory, and the five pockets — two in back, two in front, and one for coins — come in handy for stashing a room key or business card. I also like that the fly front is lined with smooth Ultralu™ fabric on the inside of the waistband, so there's no digging or chafing.
I think they look fantastic with a simple white tee tucked in — my exact pick follows below — and classic black heels for a work meeting or nice flats on travel days.
You won't have to pack any others, either, since these can do double duty when downtime allows a free moment to sightsee, go for a stroll, or grab a solo meal. The previous black tee could also be reworn here for another totally different look.
EasyFive Mid-Rise Relaxed-Straight Pants, Black
3. A simple white tee for layering
That simple white tee I mentioned above? This is it.
I'm wearing the Lululemon Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Hip-Length Crewneck Shirt. And fair warning: The fabric is so deliciously soft that you'll find yourself running your fingers over the material repeatedly and wishing they'd just go ahead and make a blanket out of it.
The knit is Lululemon's ultra-soft Nulu™ fabric, which is a blend of nylon and Lycra elastane that's brushed for a seriously luxe feel. There's a hint of heft, though, with a double-layered construction that provides coverage and support to prevent a sheer see-through moment while still remaining breathable and lightweight.
The shirt snugly contours to the body; you'll want to size up one or two sizes for a comfortable fit. But it's not too short. Not too long, either. The hem hits right around the waist, and the high neck is appropriate for any workplace. I have it in the ivory cream color, which looks lovely with both the trousers and the jeans listed above, or you can opt for black, navy, pink, or light blue.
Even more useful, the sweat-wicking, quick-drying, stretchy material also means I can wear this for on-the-go workouts.
For example, I can wear it for evening drinks, followed by my morning run the next day. Then I can wash it in the sink to repeat later on with a different bottom. That's multiple outfits and uses, all in one.
Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Hip-Length Crewneck Shirt, Light Ivory
4. A low-maintenance dress for special events
While I lean towards pants for most work trips, there are occasions when I prefer a dress.
Usually, because it's hot, there's a classy event I want to dress up for, or I'm going from a work event straight to something else and I don't want to wear a suit.
For all of the above, the Lululemon Ribbed Heavyweight Cotton Midi Dress nails it.
Made from cotton and elastane, the heavyweight ribbing on this work dress creates an hourglass shape, though it's subtle. This one skims the body as opposed to tightly hugging it.
That same ribbing also prevents wrinkling, so I can throw it on without steaming or ironing, and the classic black and tan colors can be dressed up or down.
I prefer black, which feels well suited for a work trip, and I sometimes pair it with my favorite duster cardigan, which is soft and plush enough to be used as a blanket on the plane. Though, the near racerback neckline (which works with a regular bra — hallelujah!) and long midi length are both elegant and conservative enough to fly solo.
I'll don it for a meeting with heels, jewelry, and a purse. You can also wear this midi dress on a non-work day. Paired with sandals and sunglasses, wear it for sightseeing, a glass of wine somewhere scenic, or even thrown over a swimsuit.
It runs extremely large, so size down.
Ribbed Heavyweight Cotton Midi Dress, Black
5. A waterproof jacket for any weather
One mistake I often see people make when packing for work trips is neglecting a coat, or packing the wrong one.
That blazer? Looks great for a professional setting, but it won't do much at all when it comes to protecting against wind, rain, or other harsh elements.
If you only bring a bulky puffer, the contrast against an otherwise graceful ensemble will be glaringly obvious. And packing both could take up an entire suitcase half easily.
That's why Lululemon's Rain Rebel Jacket is such a secret weapon. It's effortlessly sophisticated, resembling a trench or cocoon-style coat, yet streamlined, well-fitted, and waterproof. You could even ditch that blazer, or any other jacket for that matter, and just bring this as your one universal topper.
Especially when chosen in a neutral hue (I have "wacky khaki") it doesn't even look like a rain slicker.
Made from recycled polyester, the waterproof fabric keeps you protected should a rainstorm strike, and it's sealed at the zippers and seams to prevent leaks. There's a full hood, though it stays neatly tucked behind when not in use.
The fit is true to size, so you can wear it with a light sweater, or tug on the internal toggle to cinch the waist a touch more.
From keeping dry to adding an outer layer to finish any look, this coat pairs with every outfit listed here, going from the conference room to the car and anywhere in between.
Rain Rebel Jacket, Warm Ash Grey