As the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown slowly become history, we are returning to offices and can once again hit the skies and roads for business trips. Has being stuck at home for a whole year left you unsure about what to wear for a business trip? If so, we have you covered.
Keep reading to get answers to what to wear on a business trip post-lockdown and why investing in custom business apparel is worth every penny.
Is Business Apparel Worth It for Travel?
Very much, yes! Traveling in a non-branded t-shirt and shorts may sound comfortable, but such casual attire may not get you the treatment you desire and may not set your company in a good light. As a member of the business world, people should treat you respectfully, and that will only happen if you look respectable.
An easy way to appear respectable is to dress in business attire that commands respect, such as a well-tailored suit. However, since wearing a suit for a long trip can be uncomfortable, you can wear something comfier, like a premium polo shirt, branded with your company logo, paired with jeans or chinos pants. The right polo shirt can help create a sharp business casual look without compromising comfort.
If heading somewhere chilly, pack a fleece jacket or pullover to layer over your polo shirt. You can get the most out of your trip by wearing custom corporate apparel embroidered with your brand name and logo.
Besides helping you stand out from the crowd and look good, custom clothing will bring your brand to the attention of everyone who sets eyes on you during your trip. People seeing your custom business apparel will help increase brand awareness and attract more prospective customers to your business.
Lastly, custom apparel is good for business because it makes employees easily identifiable outside the office. It can also help employees feel they are part of a team and boost morale during trips.
What Items Should You Bring On a Business Trip
The correct clothing to take on a business trip will depend on the activities intended for the trip and the weather at your destination. Here are examples of custom business apparel you can add to your luggage:
Hats
A trucker or baseball hat tastefully customized with your business logo can complement your other clothing to boost your aesthetic appeal. Such hats are ideal for business trips because you can pair them with almost any outfit.
Also, hats are essential if heading to a sunny destination because the bill will keep the sun out of your eyes and shield your face against harmful UV rays. Alternatively, wear a custom knitted cap that can keep your head warm if heading to a cold destination.
Quarter-Zips
Quarter-zip sweatshirts are a type of sweater that you can wear alone or layer over other clothing on cool days. Unlike the typical sweater, it has a high neck and short zip on the front for drawing the collar close for better wind protection and warmth.
High-quality quarter-zip pullovers typically feature materials like polyester or fleece, which provide warmth and some protection against wet weather without being heavy or bulky. We recommend taking customized quarter-zip jackets on business trips because they offer a cleaner profile and a more professional look than a hoodie or bulky cardigan.
An excellent quarter-zip sweater alternative that you can also customize is soft-shell jackets. Unlike the quarter-zip sweater, a soft-shell jacket’s zipper goes all the way down, giving you the option to wear the jacket fully closed or fully or partially open.
Button Downs
Button-down shirts are dress shirts with buttons along the front. The shirt may have a long or short sleeve and one, two, or no breast pockets. A quality button-down shirt can make your team look smart and professional, especially if they are white-collar workers. If you want an embroidered button-down shirt, we recommend going for one that matches your brand color or embroidery design.
Pocket Tees
Pocket tees look like regular t-shirts but have a single breast pocket. The pocket adds more style to the shirt but is not deep, secure, or strong enough to hold heavy items. You can custom embroider pocket t-shirts by adding your brand logo to the apparel's chest, back, or arm. Such clothing is ideal for road trips or if your company prefers portraying itself as lighthearted and casual.
Polos
Polo shirts are a popular choice for custom business apparel, especially if dressing your team for a business trip. They offer the comfort of t-shirts but look sharp enough to serve as business casual apparel. Depending on your preferred style, you can wear a polo shirt on its own for your trip or wear one under a blazer.
Here's What to Wear On a Business Trip
Let’s now look at specific clothing you or your teammates can wear for upcoming short or long-distance business trips.
Port Authority Long Sleeve Easy Care Dress Shirt
A customized long-sleeve dress shirt is an excellent choice for an official look while on a business trip. If you want one that looks smart and is easy to maintain, we recommend the Port Authority Long Sleeve Easy Care Dress Shirt. The wash-and-wear shirt does not require ironing and can stay wrinkle-free throughout your work day.
The lightweight material drapes nicely, and adjustable cuffs ensure a comfortable fit. The shirt also has a functional left breast pocket where you can embroider your brand logo and name.
Port Authority Short Sleeve Easy Care Shirt
Your team will love you for providing them with the Port Authority Short Sleeve Easy Care Shirt for business trips. Since the shirt is wrinkle-resistant, owners do not have to worry about their clothing getting rumpled during trips.
The 55/45 cotton/polyester fabric is comfortable in various climates, and you can get the shirt in several colors, such as red, purple, lavender, light blue, and orange. Several customization options are available for the shirt, including embroidery, and you can get the shirt in a color that matches your brand or preferred customization.
Red Kap Short Sleeve Industrial Work Shirt
The Red Kap Short Sleeve Industrial Work Shirt is popular among companies that need custom business apparel for blue-collar teams. The highly durable shirt meets IL50 standards, meaning it can undergo several industrial launderings without losing shape or color.
Despite being durable, its 65/35 polyester/cotton fabric feels lovely on the skin. Its Touchtex™ technology keeps the shirt easy to clean and ensures superior moisture-wicking to keep you sweat-free. Since the shirt pairs well with various pants, including jeans and dress pants, your team won’t have trouble mixing and matching.
Port & Company Core Blend Pocket Tee
Are you in the tech field or another business niche where dressing casual is commonplace? If so, the Port & Company Core Blend Pocket Tee is an excellent choice for custom business apparel. The round neck tee has a mid-weight 50/50 cotton/polyester fabric that prioritizes comfort by being breathable and pleasurable on the skin.
The material drapes nicely, delivering an attractive fit. Even better, the shirt is durable, thanks to its strong stitching and ability to retain its color and shape after multiple washes and wears.
Gildan DryBlend 50/50 Pocket T-Shirt
The Gildan DryBlend 50/50 Pocket T-Shirt is another excellent casual tee for business trips. The shirt’s DryBlend fabric offers impressive moisture-wicking and dries quickly to prevent unsightly sweat stains. The 50/50 cotton/polyester material is also breathable and stretchy, allowing you to wear the shirt comfortably for long periods.
Despite its many lovely features, the shirt is affordable. The breast pocket adds to the aesthetics and is functional enough to carry small and light items.
Carhartt Workwear Pocket Short Sleeve T-Shirt
The Carhartt Workwear Pocket Short-Sleeve T-Shirt is a cut above most t-shirts. Its premium look and rich feel justify its price tag, and its dense fabric is suitable for even the most complex embroidery design.
Depending on the color you choose, the shirt will feature a 100% cotton jersey knit fabric or a cotton/polyester blend. All the fabric options drape nicely to offer a comfortable and attractive fit, and you can get the shirt in sizes ranging from small to 2XL. Since the Carhartt logo is on the pocket, you can embroider your brand name or logo on the arm or the other chest.
Clique Ice Half-Zip
Protect your team against chilly weather by providing them with the Clique Ice Half-Zip – one of our best-selling pullovers. The pullover’s 100% polyester mesh pique fabric feels great on the skin and offers impressive wind and water protection. It’s also moisture-wicking to minimize uncomfortable sweating when wearing the pullover on its own or layering. Since the pullover meets IL50 standards, you can expect it to retain its color and shape after several washes and wears.
Sport-Tek 1/4-Zip Sweatshirt
The Sport-Tek 1/4-Zip Sweatshirt prioritizes comfort with its soft 65/35 ring-spun combed cotton/poly fleece fabric. Besides being pleasant to touch, the material is dense enough to keep out cold winds and some moisture. The spandex in the hems helps give the sweatshirt an athletic fit, and regardless of your laundry method, only minimal shrinkage will occur.
Under Armour Tech Quarter-Zip
The Under Armour Tech Quarter-Zip is a unisex pullover made to last and impress. It costs more than the average pullover, but the feel and look of it make investing in this pullover worthwhile.
Other features that put this quarter-zip pullover ahead of the competition are its impressive moisture-wicking and anti-odor technology. In summary, Under Armour has optimized this pullover to help wearers stay comfortable and classy-looking when taking long trips to chilly climes.
Port Authority Snapback Trucker Cap
If your team isn’t amenable to wearing custom embroidered shirts, or you are on a tight budget, get your team custom caps for their business trip. The Port Authority Snapback Trucker Cap is an excellent product you can customize by embroidering your company logo on the front.
Since the hat is one-size-fits-all, you won’t have to worry about getting different sizes for the men and women on your team. Several colors are available, and the cotton front and polyester mesh back ensure maximum breathability beneath the hat.
Port & Company Knit Cap
Is your team heading somewhere cold? Keep them warm and looking cool with the Port & Company Knit Cap. The 100% acrylic beanie insulates the head, keeping out cold winds while keeping in body heat. The cap also features a three-inch folding cuff that you can wear over your ears to warm them. You can get the cap in orange, grey, black, white, blue, and other colors and have your logo embroidered on the cuff.
Your Team Should Look Their Best on Business Trips
Representatives from your company will get a better reception wherever they go when they walk in well dressed. Equip your team to make a great impression during official trips by providing them with comfortable and smart-looking custom business apparel.
At Thread Logic, we have over two decades of experience providing brands in different niches with such clothing. If you need help picking apparel that fits your budget and other requirements, we are happy to give you all the information you need to make the best decision. Check out verified reviews from our happy customers and contact us to discuss your custom work apparel needs.