Traveling for business demands meticulous planning and organization, particularly when it comes to packing your luggage. On a business trip, you must be well-prepared for meetings, social gatherings, and even leisurely moments. Consequently, the art of packing a savvy suitcase becomes paramount, ensuring that you are consistently well-dressed and ready for any circumstance.

To offer deeper insights into the art of assembling an efficient and strategic travel suitcase for business endeavors, we had the privilege of engaging in conversation with the renowned stylist, Colomba Giacomini. 

Colomba is a seasoned professional in the realm of fashion, whose love for fashion career started at an early age, as she recounts: “I’ve always loved it at school, I used to dress everyone for everything, and when I was little, I used to make, take my mother’s silk scarves and turn them into ball gowns. So it’s always been all I’ve ever really wanted to do.”

Colomba Giacomini charted her path in the fashion world through internships, collaborating with fashion photographers, and even undertaking roles at prominent fashion entities such as Matches. However, her true aspiration was always to be an independent stylist. She is recognized for her eclectic style palette, spanning from daring prints to casual attire. Colomba is a fashion enthusiast unafraid of taking risks, rendering each piece unique and special.

One of the most gratifying aspects of Colomba’s career as a stylist is imparting a profound sense of confidence to individuals in their attire. She shares, “Honestly, my most rewarding moments as a person to stylist is when someone messages me the next day just saying how amazing they felt, or that they walked into the room and everybody stopped to look at them and everyone kept coming up and asking them where their outfit was from, or they just felt amazing.”

Now, let us delve into Colomba’s invaluable tips on crafting an efficient and intelligent travel suitcase:

Versatile Pieces Are Key:

Colomba emphasizes the importance of choosing versatile pieces that can be worn on various occasions during the trip. “I would never go anywhere without a black blazer”, she shares. 

Items like a black blazer, high-quality white sneakers, jeans, T-shirts, and a pair of high heels are essential. “I tend to try to build whatever I’m working with around one, maybe two, pairs of heels to start with. Then I work out how many days I’m there and start to sort of build outfits around the days that I am there.”

Essential Items in the Suitcase:

In her travel suitcase, Colomba always includes items like a trench coat, which can be worn over any outfit, and a variety of clothes that can be mixed and matched. “I always also like to have a scarf with me because I’m always cold, so I’d like something that I can sort of wrap on when I’m on the airplane.”, she says. Also, white trainers, black jacket, interesting clutch, good jeans, and a nice pair of trousers are a must have. But what is essential in Colomba’s suitcase? “I collect really quirky clutch bags, my particular favorite is Olympia Le Tan the book bag. So, I don’t think I’ve ever traveled without one because it’s such a fun, interesting talking point at a dinner. Even if I’m being super practical, traveling with hand luggage, doing quite simple outfits, I want something quirky in part of my outfit.”

Transforming the Look for the Evening:

Colomba emphasizes that accessories can be the key to transforming a daytime look into an outfit suitable for dinner or an evening event. “A touch of jewelry, a coat thrown over the shoulders, and even a unique clutch bag can make all the difference,” says Colomba. “If you just throw your jacket, a black blazer over your shoulders, or your coat over your shoulders, it instantly gives you a slightly more glamorous look. And that’s another way of taking something quite like the same thing from day to night.”

Avoiding Common Packing Mistakes:

Among the most common packing mistakes, Colomba points out the excess of shoes. She suggests that choosing one or two versatile pairs of shoes is more efficient than taking many. Additionally, maintaining a cohesive color palette and ensuring that all pieces can be mixed and matched is crucial. ‘I’d rather have more clothes than shoes, to be honest, because they go further. Then, I think it’s also important to stick to a color palette, especially if you’re going on a short trip. So, if you’re using navys, grays, and blacks, for example, everything will coordinate. Or, if you’re going with more of a beige and burgundy theme, it still means that all your accessories will match, requiring fewer handbags and shoes.”

Choosing Colors and Pieces for Easy Mixing:

To maintain an efficient suitcase, Colomba advises choosing a color palette that can be easily mixed and matched. This allows you to create different looks with fewer pieces. She also emphasizes the importance of trying on outfits before traveling: “I always try on my outfits to ensure that everything works well together.”

Adapting to Different Destinations and Weather Conditions:

When it comes to business trips, adaptability is essential. Colomba always checks the weather forecast and considers how much time she will spend outdoors when choosing clothes and shoes. ‘It’s important to be prepared for different weather conditions and to know what to expect at your destination,’ she says. ‘You’ve got to check the weather forecast and also pack a couple of extra things, just in case. Sometimes you check the weather forecast, and it doesn’t look very warm when you get there, and it’s boiling, so you just throw in a couple of tops. If it’s that weird in-between weather, throw in a couple of things for if it’s going to be cold or if it’s going to be hot, so that you know you’re not going to be stranded without the right thing to wear.’

Valuable Tips for an Efficient Suitcase:

Colomba’s most valuable tip for packing is to give yourself enough time to plan and organize. She also recommends using suitcase organizers, such as the famous “packing cubes,” to keep everything organized and accessible. According to Colomba, “A well-organized suitcase makes life easier during the trip,” which is a valuable tip for those who are going to travel to several destinations: “It means that if you’re going to multiple places, you can put the right things in the right section of the suitcase. And it means you’re not constantly rummaging through and making a huge mess.”

Facing the Challenge of Social Events on a Business Trip:

“You can always put a white t-shirt and leather trousers and heels and you automatically look like you’re done.” For social events on a business trip, Colomba suggests adding striking accessories, such as a unique clutch bag or a standout piece like leather pants. She believes that small touches can completely transform a look. “Sometimes, a touch of sparkle or a bold piece is all it takes to make your look perfect for a social event,” says Colomba. 

With Colomba Giacomini’s valuable tips, you are now prepared to pack an efficient and stylish suitcase for your next business trip. Remember to give yourself time to plan, choose versatile pieces, and maintain a cohesive color palette. 

With Colomba’s style and experience, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge with confidence and elegance. Take the opportunity to be inspired by her style: https://www.styleswapofficial.com/seller/@c_giacomini