Workhorses Only, Edition #2

Let's go on a work trip

If I zoom out and think about my day, I typically have 240 people stare at me for 75 minutes at a time. Not just any people, young people! Gen Z people! As a business school professor and public speaker, I am making an impression.

I’ve thought about the three words I’d like people to take away: professional, composed, classic.

Here’s why those are my 3 words:

• Professional - I have to come across as an expert. Full stop. There should be no confusing me with a student. I want to command respect and credibility from the first impression.

• Composed - What I mean by this is I want to signal that I am calm and collected and have control of the situation and room. I am not frenzied, rushed, missing a button, have loose threads, etc.

• Classic - Keeping up with trends has never worked for me. I know my body type and I know my comfort level. I also buy things that will last 5+ years so asking myself “is this timeless” helps with decision making. From a we-are-always-being-assessed perspective, no one has ever said, “Gosh, she just dresses too classic.” Nope. Now, I’ve definitely heard, “she’s trying to hard”.

Know your 3 words.

I share all of that to say, I get professionally dressed almost every day. I do not live a zoom/teams kinda life. So, when a reader told me she had super exciting work travel coming up, but she was worried about packing, I thought I could help.

It’s business trip time! A way to break up the monotony of everyday office life, maybe you’re going somewhere fun (LA, NYC come to mind, send me there anytime). You’ll be meeting colleagues or clients you don’t normally see. In fact you don’t even know if they wear pants. But now you’ll be meeting them, in person, with pants on, and whether you want to admit or not, you’ll be making an impression.

So you start panicking. Because, like, what are you going to pack? You look at your closet and while there is so much stuff, none of it is right for “this” trip. You start trying stuff on, getting increasingly annoyed at the last 20 things you purchased and start panic ordering more stuff!!

STOP.

You need a formula.

This is my 3 day Spring work trip capsule that takes me about 10 minutes to pack and I always look: professional, composed, classic.

Day 1

It’s a long-sleeve button down dress. One item, doesn’t get any easier. Wear with heel or flat. If bought well, it doesn’t look wrinkled as the day goes. I wear a version of this to every public speaking event I’m invited to. Fool proof.

The H&M version is the best deal of them all at under $60 with current promo. It’s 100% cotton and the eyelet is made well. Don’t sleep on this one, once H&M sells out, they don’t restock. The other value buy is Banana Republic Factory also under $60 and the fabric falls nicely. If you have a little more budget, this navy J.Crew will be in your capsule for years. I love a cream button down for spring but you’ll need a little more budget because light colors show the fabric more clearly. The Ann Taylor and J.Crew are both hits under $200. The Boden is lovely for spring and summer if you can handle a print versus a solid.

I wore exactly this yesterday at a conference I attended as a keynote speaker.

To see the entire long sleeve button down dress collection go here.

Day 2

The formula is a long skirt with a tight-fitted shirt and a boucle ladies jacket. It’s great in 2025, it was great in 2019 and it will be great in 2030. Look for a skirt that holds its shape and doesn’t wrinkle. For the tight-fitted shirt, I go cheap. I expect this to get worn and stretch out no matter how much I spend so I see no reason to break the bank.

My beloved black bodysuit is on sale for 50% of at Amazon making it $10. Just stock up in black and navy and don’t overthink this. I bet you already have a skirt that fits the bill in your closet, you just haven’t known what to do with it, but if you don’t this is a good one from Boden. For the boucle jacket, you will wear this for a decade without a doubt. If you have more budget then me, this one from Bloomingdales’ is neat as a pin, but you can keep it under $100 with this one. My personal favorite is the one from Mango. It’s $130 but use EXTRA30 and get this under that magical $100 price point. I have found Mango stuff to last 5-6 years.

To see a few other skirts, fitted tops and all the jackets in one place go here.

I wear this template every week in the classroom. This Monday:

Day 3

It’s the end of your trip, you’re ready to get home and have to get dressed one more time. This is when you pull out your favorite black pants. I’m not linking any. I have nothing to say. Black pants are so dependent on your height and body type. There is for sure a pair of black pants that looks amazing on you and makes you feel incredible. With these black pants, pair the white embroidery shirt you already have as a Workhorses Only item (from Edition 1). Drape the boucle jacket from above over your shoulders.

Done! Your suitcase is itty bitty. You feel confident and it took you all of 10 minutes to pack.

Having a capsule wardrobe serves YOU. If fashion is your things, for sure, have fun! But if you want to look great, buy smart and dress efficiently than Workhorses Only is the column for you. Hope this is helpful!

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I’m wrapping my first month on Substack. I’ve written four essay style posts including how I became a professor and my thoughts on extracurriculars as a parent.

On the last day of the Month, I’ll share a not-seen-on-social-media post with my Paid Subscribers. A peek behind what actually happened this month (it was a rough, heartbreaking one). I’ll also randomly select 1 paid subscriber to receive a free hour of consulting. You can pick my brain on any topic - from building your personal brand to how to approach this season of work/life balance. Your choice. Subscribe before 3/31 to be entered.

Thanks for your support. I’m foregoing all my paid marketing consulting for the next six months to focus on building our Whole Human community. It will only work if I have your support, so please know how grateful I am to have this opportunity.