We very often receive emails like "How to dress when traveling?" . While it is quite simple to answer for a vacationer, the question becomes more complex when we talk about dressing for business trips .
Repeated journeys, distance traveled, an often busy schedule: it is difficult to burden yourself with too much luggage. We then adopt an optimization logic: everything must fit in a single bag . We remember George Clooney in the very good In the Air , never parting with his same suitcase.
The story of a man who travels more than 300 days a year, whose entire life fits into a suitcase (and a Miles card).
Quite logically, we find ourselves limited in terms of the outfits to put together. How can we get to the essentials with just one piece of luggage? Besides, what is essential? How can we reconcile with temperature variations? Are there multifunctional pieces? What about style in all this?
To support my argument, I relied on the experience of those first concerned. We went to interview two nomadic entrepreneurs .
Very specific needs
Our first interviewee is Kumiko Matcha .
A globetrotter at heart, he likes to "be able to go from a bar to the savannah". Adventurous, he needs clothes that can be worn in the Asian jungle during the day, comfortable and very practical, but that can also be worn in an urban setting to party at night, without looking like a tourist.
He has a rather minimalist vision, taking up the triptych " the good, the beautiful, the true ". Few things to " go anywhere, anytime " , absolutely all-terrain. Clearly, we are talking about versatility taken to the extreme.
Valentin Van Nhut, founder of the premium matcha tea brand Kumiko Matcha.
Then we have Bruno , a consultant and speaker specializing in chaos theories and crisis management. Very urban, his travels are mostly in large cities. Due to the need to have a professional appearance, he needs relatively formal clothing (no t-shirts for example, unlike Valentin).
He is indeed very concerned about the image he projects. When he gives a lecture, he says he is "on stage", both literally and figuratively. His audience is there to hear him but also to see him, "there is an actor or star side, even if it may seem pretentious" , hence the importance of a neat appearance.
It is also a way for him to feel comfortable and confident.
Bruno Marion is also the author of the book Chaos, mode d'emploi .
Two very different profiles after all. However, you will see that they come together more than one might think.
Techwear, a ready-made solution?
In his excellent file on the subject, Milone wrote:
Techwear refers to a category of clothing that includes specialty fabrics with advanced technologies, construction techniques that go beyond the traditional, and cuts that allow for maximum mobility.
Originally reserved for clothing intended for sports such as mountaineering, brands very quickly looked into it to take advantage of these specific features.
A very rich style, it expresses a multitude of different influences. We talk about urban techwear for pieces with an urban design: despite their technical properties, you would mistake them for their classic counterparts. A bit of the best of both worlds, if you will.
A 100% urban techwear outfit, who would have guessed? (Outlier - F/W 15)
What properties to look for when traveling?
The technical features that can be found are numerous, ranging from super-stretchy fabrics to anti-frost fabrics. There are countless innovations and advances in R&D.
Obviously, needs vary from person to person. That being said, some are found in almost everyone:
- Wrinkle-free clothing,
- Breathable textiles,
- Water-repellent fabrics,
- Anti-odor technologies,
- Extensibility and comfort of materials,
- Easy maintenance.
Which urban techwear brands for which pieces?
We will start with the brands favored by our respondents.
Without a doubt, Bruno and Valentin cite Outlier for its pants . Originally developed for cyclists, they will not be afraid of the plane or the tundra (well, maybe a little of the tundra). Valentin even crossed a river in their Future Works model.
On Reddit , we find the testimony of someone who did a huge trek with them. In his " 1 year, 1 outfit " experiment, blogger Matt chose Outlier chinos again. Worn for a year, almost every day (alongside an Apolis jacket and Viberg shoes)!
Likewise, their t-shirts and shirts are very popular , especially for their ability to wick away heat and prevent sweat. Some models are also wrinkle-free. The brand therefore enjoys excellent goodwill and has become a must-have for all urban techwear fans.
If you want to explore this track further, Geoffrey tested it right here .
If you're looking for technical polos, Ministry of Supply is the one for you. "As comfortable as a T-shirt," Bruno tells us, they hold their shape and are super breathable.
The brand is best known for its technical formal shirts, with its " Apollo Shirts " made with "temperature-regulating NASA fabric." Since Bruno is also a speaker, he obviously needs dress shirts, and he gets almost all of them from Ministry of Supply.
Very intrigued by this shirt, I was able to test it. First thing, the sizing is American: you can downsize without any problem. In terms of the fabric, we are faced with a stretch fabric that works very well in a formal setting.
Regarding the technology, sweat dries very quickly and the stretch is very appreciable. On the temperature regulation, do not expect a magic fabric, but it is true that compared to a classic shirt , you feel a small difference.
On the outerwear side, Bruno, who is very sensitive to the cold, dresses in but especially in Norrona . The latter offers Gore-Tex parkas filled with Primaloft or Polartec Alpha, making them waterproof and " warm as down ".
More surprisingly, Bruno, although seeking sobriety, invested in an Acronym shirt. This is a black shirt, made of Schoeller Dryskin fabric (the same as our Schoeller pants ), with two pockets at the hips.
One of two pockets present, a rather unusual feature on a shirt.
And the famous carrying strap system!
Problem: Acronym pieces are very expensive - this shirt, around $500 - but Bruno, a techwear veteran, is so satisfied that he would even be ready to buy a second one because it perfectly meets his expectations as a traveler.
With Arc'teryx Veilance , Acronym is the ultimate dream for any techwear fan. Beyond the excellent quality of the pieces - imperative given their prices - the brand has managed to build a very strong universe, with a very marked futurism, but well executed and credible. The designs are racy and full of ideas, Benoît is also a fan (and will surely make a file on it one day). We even find an Acronym coat in the latest video game of the Deus Ex series.
Image from the Deus Ex trailer, where we see a nice product placement for Acronym 🙂
If you don't already know it, watch this video to learn more about the brand, where the many features of the clothes are exposed.
As a bonus, we find Milone's selection of brands :
See more...
- EFM Menswear
- Endless Ammo
- eclectic
- Finnistere
- Indochino Tech Suits
- Levi's Commuter Line
- Makers & Riders
- Ministry of Supply
- Camel Active
- Canada Goose
- Proof NY
- Stutterheim
- SWRVE
- And Wander
- Aether
- Arc'Teryx
- Herno Laminar
- Isaora
- Jiberish Grand Cru
- my.strum
- Mission Workshop
- Nike NSW
- Outlier
- Nanamica
- Nau
- Sioux
- Stone Island
- Triple Aught Design
- Ten-C
- The North Face Purple Label
- Uniqlo
- Cole Hann
- non-native
I can only invite you to browse it. You may be surprised by the strong aesthetics that brands integrate into their creative process.
And what about natural materials?
Natural materials are not being discarded! On the contrary, it is often natural materials that are given technical synthetic fibres, that are given a finish... Adding nylon will prevent merino from pilling, for example.
Two brands have specialized in technical clothing based on merino: Ice Breaker and Smart Wool . Their hoodies and underwear are unanimously popular.
Valentin swears by merino wool underwear because you can wear it for several days without any problem: body moisture is well wicked away and, according to Valentin, it is very easy to wash by hand because stains do not penetrate the heart of the fibers.
Funny anecdote, he almost only takes briefs, and not boxers, always with the aim of reducing bulk to the bare minimum, and also because he finds it "sexier"...
You can find all types of underwear made from merino, from briefs to boxer shorts. According to Valentin, who prefers a more compact brief, they can even be used as a swimsuit and will dry very, very quickly.
Valentin and Bruno are also big fans of Mission Workshop , which offers good merino hoodies . Originally designed for city cyclists, it quickly entered the closed circle of recognized urban techwear brands thanks to its truly urban designs and its intensive use of Schoeller materials.
And above all, let's admit it, their videos are often magnificent, full of delicacy and a desire to explore:
For higher temperatures, Bruno wears Outlier shirts made from a linen base. The use of cotton is more marginalized: it absorbs moisture much more easily.
Note that Valentin, during his trips to Asia, has completely banned cotton from his suitcase. He blames it for all the evils of the world: drying too slowly, persistent odors, a breeding ground for bacteria, etc.
It is easy to firmly condemn cotton, but let us nevertheless recall its advantages in the context of a normal wardrobe:
- It costs much less than merino,
- The variety of colors, weaves and textures is almost unlimited, one of its strong points in my opinion,
- And it is so soft to wear next to the skin unlike merino, which can sometimes be a little rough.
What shoes should you wear when traveling for business?
This is Bruno's great drama, who despairs of not finding technical Richelieu or derby shoes. Clark's Gore-Tex line has little effect on him, and we can easily understand why when we see the design of these shoes. So we are forced to make do with them, for the duration of his appointments.
Otherwise, Bruno swears by black sneakers (I'll come back to the color stories later), from Stan Smiths to Common Projects and Axel Arigato .
On Benoît's advice, he also bought a pair of Feit running shoes. This is also a budget to plan for, but Bruno, who only eats organic food, is very sensitive to the natural latex used by the brand.
Comfortable, versatile, Bruno also wears them because his activity allows him to combine a suit and sneakers.
On his treks, Valentin uses specialized shoes, such as Merrells for his motorcycle rides. In this case, the importance of protection comes before aesthetics (don't try to climb a mountain in desert boots ). When he's on a date, he usually wears Nike Fly Knits .
What about the costume?
No one has really found their ideal technical suit for traveling.
Failing that, Bruno wears a merino/lycra suit that gives him comfort. The best models were at Prada a few years ago but have a rather prohibitive price (around €2,000). Benoît campaigns for Bruno to switch to a fresco suit from Husbands , a completely crease-resistant and airy wool, but he refuses because he only wants to wear black.
If you really want to wear a technical blazer, you will find what you are looking for at éclectic , a true French gem.
What type of luggage?
As I said, the most practical - but also the most common - is to limit yourself to just one piece of luggage.
The suitcase remains the most practical, because it is easy to carry in an urban environment. On the other hand, as soon as you leave the city limits, the backpack is essential .
Bruno highly recommends TUMI bags and satchels, They have been following him for 10 or 15 years. . Valentin is a fan of Goruck backpacks. A very patriotic American brand, it originally made bags for soldiers, so very sturdy (the computer compartment is even "bombproof"!) with a sober design and goes everywhere.
It is typically a direct competitor to brands like Triple Aught Design , for example.
Made in America, Goruck bags are so sturdy that soldiers use them in war.
On his YouTube channel SuperVagabond , Valentin shows us how his bag is organized:
And because I love this thing, here's the Race Case from SuitSupply: a suitcase that transforms into a scooter so you can play Paul Walker at the airport.
Recap of (urban) techwear brands worn during business trips
In Valentin's suitcase
In terms of brands, Valentin’s preference goes to:
- Pants: Outlier , The North Face ,
- Outerwear: The North Face ,
- Underwear and T-shirts: Ice Breaker , SmartWool ,
- Hoodies: Mission Workshop ,
- Sneakers: Nike Flyknit ,
- Shoes: Merrell ,
- Luggage: Goruck backpack.
In Bruno's suitcase
For his part, Bruno prefers:
- Pants: Outlier ,
- Polo: Ministry of Supply ,
- Outerwear: The North Face , Norrona,
- Shirts: Outlier , as well as a favorite from Acronym ,
- Hoodies: Mission Workshop ,
- Sneakers: Adidas Stan Smith, Achille by Common Project , Feit , Axel Arigato ,
- Luggage: Tumi .
How to compose your suitcase?
How to optimize your luggage?
First of all, limit yourself to the pieces you take : your pieces will get dirty much less quickly (no odors, moisture wicking, etc.), not to mention that you can easily wash them (quick drying, hydrophobic fibers and company). Valentin has become a huge geek about optimizing his backpack, where the usefulness of each object is carefully thought out.
How often to wash merino underwear is a recurring topic on forums like Reddit. There is no exact rule - the effort and the degree of perspiration necessarily influence - but everyone agrees that you can wear them several times before. As for those who prefer regular washing, drying is once again very fast (even if they prematurely wear them out).
Then, look for versatility (except for special occasions). In this case, Bruno is radical since he only opts for black . While we strongly advise against it, Bruno argues that black is the universal elegant color, well understood throughout the world. Whether in a trendy Tokyo restaurant or on a New York rooftop. (Note from Benoît: Yeah...)
Without completely agreeing with Bruno - there are more elegant things than full black in my opinion - it is true that an all-black outfit, if well executed, exudes personality. This is explained among other things by the fact that strong characters have long adopted black as their one and only color, like artists, intellectuals, dramatic actors... contributing to making it so classy.
Indeed, versatility is just as important on a suitcase made up of gray, blue and beige : the outfits can be combined without any color problems.
Otherwise, you do according to your preferences.
The limits of techwear, by Benoit
Reading this article, one might think that urban techwear is the solution to everything: perfectly versatile, with useful technicality... and one would be tempted to want a wardrobe made up only of a handful of technical garments. And yet I am opposed to it, mainly for a lack of variety.
Imagine being able to feed yourself every day with a pill that contains exactly all the macro and micronutrients you need. Your nutritional needs are met perfectly, and the act of eating is limited to swallowing a pill. That’s techwear.
And then you have the normal kitchen: you have to bother shopping, cutting food, cooking (which is often a real pleasure), doing the dishes, etc. In short, a lot of constraints but the pleasure is incomparable to swallowing a pill. The variety of flavors, colors, tastes is incredibly richer, with all the pleasure that goes with it. Well, that's a classic wardrobe.
So here's my point of view: having only urban techwear means missing out on many pleasures, many variations of a classic wardrobe: the elegance of a camel double-breasted coat, the drape of a wool suit or the texture of a dobby shirt fabric, for example.
Limiting yourself to urban techwear is a bit like sticking to the food supplement over and over again, forgetting about the pleasure of a dish of an elaborate outfit.
That said, every now and then techwear can be a huge help, typically for a weekend away with friends where you need to travel very light.
Just like if you don't have time to eat one day, and you'd be glad to have your food pill.
“What advice would you give...?”
As you will have understood, techwear brands and their possibilities are numerous. There is then a selection work to be done, always according to your needs. Because of their characteristics, the pieces can be quite expensive , but it is an investment for those who travel often.
As Benoît rightly says, urban techwear pieces are well suited to a professional context but can become bland. In this sense, we do not recommend that you make them your uniform at work or in life, even if some pieces can easily find their place in your "permanent wardrobe".
Mission Workshop Hoodie. Its relatively versatile design will work in a lot of situations. On the other hand, you lose the variety that a honeycomb hoodie can bring, for example.
Because there are no interviews without advice, we asked Bruno and Valentin what they would recommend to a layman who travels a lot and would like to get into techwear.
For an urban, chic, super comfortable style, I would say to start with two pairs of Outlier pants, have merino sweaters and underwear and a super comfortable suit. Same for shoes, it's essential! - Bruno
On Valentin's side, it gives:
I would advise him to take two pairs of trousers like Outlier or The North Face, with merino t-shirts and underwear . Limit yourself in terms of number and always take a scarf!
(Urban) techwear is undoubtedly a very rich subject. To complete your reading, I recommend the Superfuture topic .
As usual, we'll meet in the comments for your questions. 😉
For more information on what clothes to take on a trip
My Clothing List for a Minimalist Wardrobe – CDL#91
[Off Topic] My equipment in Mongolia on a motorbike (2/2)
My passion for backpacks – Let’s Talk Clothes #43
My 8 versatile pieces for 2 weekends in 1 – Benoît’s checklist
