How to Curate a Versatile Travel Wardrobe for Your Next Business Trip

Years ago, when I flew on a commercial plane for the first time, I noticed that the first class section was filled with business suits. That front section of the plane had the best dressed (over heated from layers) passengers. We all grow and evolve, hopefully, and first class is no longer the "suit" section. We don't want to be sweating it out in the air. No, we want comfort. When we travel, we often are arriving to our destination only to hurry up and get to a meeting. In this era, we no longer have to wear the suit-y suits to look professional. But, we do need to look polished. We want breathable, comfortable, as wrinkle-free as we can get clothing. And...When we get to our destinations, we don't want to spend the evening ironing our clothes for the next day.

So, Let's pretend (kinda) that I'm going on a four day trip to San Francisco to present breakout sessions at a business conference. Let's build a versatile travel wardrobe for my trip.

KathyBanta.com

It's going to be between 55 - 70 degrees while I'm there. Here's my itinerary. I'm going to break down each day by event and what I need to wear. It is my goal to mix and match as much as possible with out it being obvious and boring.

Tuesday

Flight at 9am/ arriving at 11am

2pm - check in

3pm - meet with conference lead to review conference information and need-to-know details. I'll be presenting breakout sessions for two days on "wardrobing in the workplace".

6pm - dinner at Miller & Lux restaurant with a client that lives in San Francisco.

Navy mixed media tank from Ann Taylor, Navy Athleta Endless High Rise Pant,

Black Ponte Blazer from Chico's, Black Kasper Suit Dress found at Macy's

Wednesday

10am to 11am - tour of textile manufacturing plant

2pm - speak at conference about the differences between "Business Professional and Business Casual"

3pm - second break out session about the difference between "Business Professional and Business Casual"

7pm - Beachside BBQ (conference attenders)

Seahaven Slim Italian Cotton-Linen Blazer from Banana Republic, Camel JCrew Blazer, Kick Crop pants from Spanx

GAP Mid Rise Baby Boot Jeans, Black Converse Sneakers, Black Aerosole Pumps

Thursday

10am - Q and A panel - women in business

2pm - breakout session "dressing for your body type"

3pm - breakout session "dressing for your body type"

7pm - dinner at The House of Prime Rib on Van Ness Ave with Conference coordinator and other conference speakers

Nic + Zoe dress, BNB Heaven bracelet

Friday

Fly home at 2:30pm arriving at 5pm

Nic + Zoe open front jacket

This will be a cram-packed group of days. I have not over packed or under packed. I have options to mix and match beyond my itinerary, if need be. I am prepared. We put together a versatile business travel wardrobe that I can use as a foundation for my next trip.

If you travel often, your luggage is an important tool of the trade. Protect your belongings with luggage from Travaloo. A travel steamer is a must when traveling for business. Because I have such hard water where I live, I purchase a new steamer yearly, just so I don't get out on the road with a steamer on the brink. This steamer by Jiffy is sold at a disposable price. Last, but not least, a functional toiletry bag is really important. This Samsonite toiletry bag holds all you'll be needing to bring along from makeup to shampoo to vitamins.

Bric's Bellagio 2.0 27 Inch Spinner on Travaloo

Traveling can be stressful, but when you make a plan and know your wardrobe options, you look good and feel confident. And if this is too much to think about, reach out and bring me in to help you organize your next trip's wardrobe.

Personal Stylist Kathy Banta

Happy Wardrobing (and Travelling)!!

Fashion Consultant Kathy Banta

InStyle Workbook Interview: Help in Your Closet Refresh

Remember back in the day when we didn't have Pinterest or Instagram? I'd anxiously await for each monthly issue of Glamour, InStyle, Vogue, or Woman's Wear Daily. I'd scoured the pages for pictures of color and style trends. I'd read the short articles about accessories and up and coming shoe trends. Now, so much of it is online. Today, I was looking through an old InStyle workbook that included a booklet with a list of style questions. As I read it, I began to play along and write out my answers. It was fun and a little interesting, probing into my personal style preferences. Here are the questions and my answers for myself. You may want to ask yourself these questions, too.

My top five all-time favorite pieces of clothing?

1. A Good Pair of Jeans - This changes about every year and a half due to trends evolving. At the moment, I'm loving my Levi's flared leg jeans. I bought two pairs and had them hemmed at two different lengths (one for flats and one for heels).

2. A Statement Blazer - I have a straight body shape; I'm an Apple. A fantastic way to camouflaged lack of curves is to wear a third piece item ( a blazer or cardigan). So, I am drawn to blazers with personality! I recently was asked how many blazers I own and I gave a rough estimate. The person I was talking to looked unbelieving. I went home and counted and I was spot on. Let me just say, "I really love blazers!"

3. LBD (Little Black Dress) - Every girl needs at least one LBD. But, two, three, or more Little Black Dresses are fun, and can go to numerous occasions! LOL. There are so many varieties! But, one can often switch out the accessories to dress it up or style it more casually.

4. Black heel booties for Fall/Winter and White Sneakers for Spring/Summer - Again, these change yearly as the trends evolve. It's okay because, I wear them so much that they are tired by the time I need a refresh. booties Sneakers

5. A Simple Shell Top - For years I always bought the statement blazer and then went home and struggled to pair it with blouses. Once I found a simple black shell top, I realized everything looked good with it. So, I bought an Ivory and a Navy shell top, too. They are plain basics that are a must-have in a wardrobe. If you want to wear the statement pieces, you have to have the foundational pieces.

Thrifting Find - Cat Print Jacket @MODAInternational

Photo by Lucy Davis

Green Blazer @BananaRepublic

My Go-To Jewelry?

Photo by Lucy Davis

1. Gold Chain Necklace - to wear alone or to wear layered with other necklaces. When I started wardrobe consulting twelve years ago, big gaudy jewelry was in. It's taken a turn and gone more minimal the last few years but, I see a shift happening again. Don't throw that jewelry out! What goes around, comes back around.

2. Over-sized Pearl Earrings - I love these! They are classic and yet, not minimal.

3. Statement Ring - What can I say? It feels feminine.

4. A Watch - I have to have a watch. I've been wearing one since 3rd grade. Last week the battery went out and I had to take it into the jewelers to get it replaced. I was a bit lost without it.

The Outfit or Item People always compliment me on?

I get compliments when I wear any of my green blazers. They look good over a black suit dress, navy foundation or paired with jeans. The green highlights my eye color.

Blazer @AnnTaylor

Thifting Find - Green Velvet Blazer @NineWest

Green Blazer @BananaRepublic

What's something I've always wanted and never bought?

Oh, I've always wanted an expensive purse. BUT...I'm really hard on purses. I stuff them with work items and personal items and I throw them around. My purses take a beating. I would feel horrible using an expensive purse for utility purposes. But, if I were to give into whims, I love the look of this Chloe purse.

Chloe

What's something I keep buying too many of and need to reconsider?

I have a weakness for buying jeans, even when I don't need them. The trends evolve and so, a new pair here and there is to be expected but, I have to limit myself so, I don't over indulge. When I was young, I often wore floods or jeans that were too tight, needing the next size up. I wanted new jeans but my folks couldn't afford them. I know this desire to buy more jeans is purely phycological. This is a common issue with women who just can't part with clothing in their wardrobes. It's good to know our issues and know the reasons behind our hang-ups, setting reasonable limits. My favorite fit is a pair of Levi's mid-rise bootcut. I do go through my jeans yearly and donate what's dated or not being used.

What's My Favorite Trends from Spring 2024 Runways?

These are Trends I've been seeing but, my favorites are brooches, Trench Coats, and the Yellow Butter Color.

1. Brooches - I love vintage brooches so, seeing them in large sizes and clusters on blazers this Spring is exciting.

2. Satin Fabrics - Satin in bold and pastel colors has an energetic vibe.

3. Lace - It's feminine and pretty

4. Trench Coats - But, not a boring trench.

5. Sheer Skirts - Sheer skirts over Hot Pants is the thing. Maybe not at Grandma's but, it is on the runways.

6. Short Coats

7. Dresses over Pants

8. Yellow Butter Color

9. Denim on Denim
   

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera

Georgio Armani

Givenchy

Cinq a Sept

Cinq a Sept

Michael Kors

Sergio Hudson

Kenzo

Akris

Ask yourself these questions:

What are your top five favorite wardrobe pieces?

What is your go-to jewelry?

What outfit or item do you get compliments on?

What's a wardrobe item you've always wanted and never bought?

What's something you keep buying too many of and you need to reconsider?

Questions help us understand ourselves better. Are you in a wardrobe rut? Do you need help going through your closet to find those quality, go-to pieces? Do you need styling for your lifestyle?

Reach out to me and let's make a plan. Kathy@KathyBanta.com

Happy Wardrobing!!

Kathy Banta - Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant/Stylist

Featured Boutique: Swan and Bower Emporium

My Sister-in-law had been telling me I needed to check out the new boutique in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. I've meant to for months. Friday I travelled into Cannon Falls to do a little early gardening in the local graveyard, and afterwards, my husband and I went for lunch at the Mill Street Tavern on 6th Street North. We had the salmon on a sour dough with a pineapple slice and pineapple sauce, bacon and cheese. It was fantastic!! We walked around the Falls and saw the swans. They're a new young pair to the city park. One of the former pair had passed away last year and since swans mate for life, they sent the remaining swan to a sanctuary and got a new couple, in hopes of seeing cygnets.

It was warming up outside and I was in my gardening attire but, it dawned on me that I had time to stop in and check out this new boutique. I thought, I'll avoid being noticed and just be subtle, take some pictures and get out without being seen in my garden clothes. But, Julie Anderson, the owner, is a good host. She greets her clientele as they come in and finds out what they're looking for; I didn't keep my secret for long. She showed me around her showroom and told us some history of the building and her journey to opening the store. She had driven by this building for years and dreamed of having a clothing store in this location. Her opportunity came at the perfect time and the emporium just celebrated its one year anniversary.

Swan and Bower Emporium is on the corner of 4th Street and Main. Coming into Cannon Falls from Hwy 52, you can't miss it! The beautiful building stands proudly on the corner. When I walked in the front door my eyes were delighted with the beautiful displays of candles and honey, ceramic birds and flower vases, art and children's novelty toys and books. If you need a gift, this is the place to come. Each section had displays that drew me in to investigate and see what was offered.

Beyond the front room was a larger room with women's clothing and a small section for men's. Julie said that since she was a mom of sons, she wanted to remember the guys, too.

The first item I picked up was this Kut from the Kloth denim jacket for $109.00. Kut from the Kloth is a quality on-trend brand that I often pick up for clients at Nordstrom. Cannon Falls is about an hour from the Mall of America and I thought to myself, "how great to have a retail option of this caliber in town"!

As I moved from section to section I saw the jeans hanging above on display and pulled a pair out to see the embroidery detail on the cuff. These Charlie B. jeans were selling for $79.99. This is why I love small-town boutiques; I can find unique pieces with details and personality that the chain stores aren't carrying. I can see Julie's good eye for product that women want.

I moved on and took several shirts to the fitting room to try on. This teal flouncy short sleeve top by MINE sells for $29.99 and this THML golden floral patterned top sold for $54.99. I took home the floral top.

As I purchased this blouse Julie told us about the luxury short term apartment on the upper level that had been made into an Airbnb; the pictures are lovely.

I will be returning to Swan and Bower Emporium next time I'm in Cannon Falls. I understand why my sister-in-law was giving it rave reviews. It's worth the stop! Even better, make a girls trip of it. Stay at the Airbnb and come shopping, get lunch at the Mill Street Tavern and walk across the street to the Cannon River Winery for a little music and a glass of wine. I love Cannon Falls!

Happy Shopping!

Shopping is what I do and I'd love to shop with You!

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta