How to master packing for a work trip

Isabel Spearman is a brand and image consultant who previously worked as special adviser to Samantha Cameron at Downing Street. Each week , she offers a helping hand dissecting workwear dress codes and offering a modern take on power dressing.

To ask Isabel Spearman your workwear questions, email [email protected] or follow her on instagram @isabelspearman

In her first column, she tackles work trips...

Q. My work involves lots of travel, and I tend to overpack as I’m never sure what I’ll need. Are there any rules I could follow?

A. I am addicted to weather apps, especially when I travel; I check at least three different ones to get a view on what the weather will be doing so I can think about what to wear (I know I know!). Weather apps are vital for work trips whether you’re travelling to New York or Newcastle. Recently, I halted a client midway through packing thick winter clothes for a conference in Colombia - where the weather was hot and humid. Her cashmere blend overcoat was not going to be of much use in 40 degree heat.

Alanna blouse, ￡89, Hobbs; Mirabelle trousers, ￡98, Boden

Travelling for work is absolutely the time to embrace manmade (and therefore crease free) fabrics. Wool and polyester mixes travel especially well and I advise rolling items in a hard suitcase to make sure they arrive as ready-to-go as possible.

Consider a capsule travel wardrobe that can work around your itinerary so you are not tempted to over pack and squash everything in. This should also force you into planning an outfit for each day and evening in advance, which is far less stressful on arrival.  A simple colour palette is best so pieces fit well together.

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A tailored jacket is a good travel staple and Dai have brilliant wool stretch options that would work with a dress or separates. Max Mara’s jersey and wool dress will pack beautifully and could be worn more than once on a trip if needed, while Finery’s polyester print dress is perfect for daytime meetings and easily dressed up for evening events with heels and earrings. Boden have a pair of 3/4 length trousers with the ideal amount of stretch, and the velvet spots make a nice change. Finally, the Alana top from Hobbs should stay looking smart in icy blue polyester.

Gemstone earrings, ￡8, Asos; Ultimate power jacket, ￡395, Daiwear

Often the biggest quandry is what to actually travel in, particularly if travelling with colleagues and going straight into meetings. If it’s a long journey that involves a flight then I’d suggest boarding in the outfit you want to exit in, and changing into comfortable trousers and a smart knit for the journey - leaving your outfit to hang, if you have the option, and rolling it gently if not. If it’s a shorter journey then stick to those crease free fabrics. That way you can travel all day and arrive looking immaculate - providing you haven't dropped your breakfast down your front.