When I was younger, I thought traveling for work would be a glamorous way to see the world. But once I started working, it quickly became clear that business trips are anything but glamorous. Unless you’re lucky enough to travel first or business class, flying will likely involve hours in cramped conditions and trying to freshen up in an airport bathroom before rushing to your first meeting. Traveling also eats into your productive time, so work trips might involve late nights in your hotel trying to finish up the work you couldn’t do while commuting.
For decades, brands assumed that most business travelers were men. Work-related travel accessories–garment bags for suits, laptop bags that double as overnighters, electronics organizers–were all designed with men in mind, both in terms of aesthetics and function. But increasingly, this is changing. Travel brands are creating functional products that are not just more feminine, but that also caters to women’s needs.
Over the last month, I clocked over 25,000 miles. On my trips I (literally) road-tested travel products on both domestic and overseas trips. Some items are specifically targeted at women, while others aren’t gendered. My goal was to find items that help alleviate the stresses of women who travel for work. In the end, out of the dozens of products I tested, I came up with these 10 items that effectively made traveling easier, more comfortable, and more stylish. I found that small luxuries can sometimes have an outsized impact on your well-being while on the road.
Necessities
When I started out, I wasn’t sold on the value of packing cubes. As someone who travels a lot, I’m a pretty good packer. But I’ve changed my mind. On a recent trip to Italy that was a mix of business and pleasure, I found that this trio of cubes by Paravel ($55) took a lot of stress out of opening my suitcase.
I used one cube to neatly store shift dresses and other work clothes that I wouldn’t need until later in the trip. In another, I stored sweaters and other casual garments. And in yet another, I stored sleepwear and intimates. When I landed in a new city, I didn’t have to unpack the whole enormous suitcase every time–I just took out the relevant cube. Another benefit: The cubes protect your garments from spills. I had a little accident with a bottle of artisanal olive oil on my trip, but fortunately, thanks to the cubes, my favorite cashmere sweater and little black dress were unscathed.
Continue here to read the fullarticle on FastCompany || Janiary 19, 2018 |||
