Clothing for sales reps on the road
Short answer: A sales rep on the road moves between car, client meetings, hotel and trade fair in a single day. Clothing needs to look tidy after many hours, survive being packed and feel calm against the skin from morning until evening.
A working day without fixed routines
Many sales reps begin the day in the car, hold three or four meetings in different places and finish in a hotel room or at the kitchen table catching up on follow ups. The temperature swings from a cold car to a warm meeting room and back again. That is why it makes sense to think in layers, with a soft and breathable layer closest to the skin and the layer the client sees on the outside. A good inner layer does more for comfort than an expensive jacket, because it is the layer that sits against your skin for ten hours.
The inner layer under blouse and dress
Under a thin dress or a soft skirt, a slip can make a real difference. It helps the fabric hang nicely, stops the dress clinging to tights and adds one more layer against draughts. Viscose from bamboo is smooth and cool, so it glides easily under other fabrics. Have a look at a bamboo slip if you often wear dresses to meetings. A slip takes up almost no room in a suitcase and can be worn for several days if it is hung up to air overnight.
Your feet carry the whole day
Long days mean many steps on exhibition floors, car parks and corridors. Socks are where moisture builds up first, and damp feet quickly turn cold and sore. Choose socks with a flat toe seam and a cuff that does not squeeze the ankle. Keep a spare pair in your bag so you can change halfway through the day. See bamboo socks for women. It also helps to rotate between two pairs of shoes so that each pair has time to dry out before the next day.
Clothing for the hotel and the car
After the last meeting, most people want to change into something soft. Soft training trousers work well in the hotel room and on long drives home, because they do not press on the stomach when you are sitting down. Pick a pair that also works for a morning walk and you save space in the suitcase. See bamboo training trousers for women. A pair in a neutral colour will not look out of place in the hotel breakfast room either.
Packing that keeps its shape
Roll your clothes instead of folding them and you get fewer sharp creases. Knitted fabric made from bamboo viscose creases less than woven fabric, and most folds relax after the garment has hung for an hour or so. Put socks and underwear in a small separate bag and keep clean and worn items apart. A small travel hanger makes it easy to hang a dress in the hotel bathroom, where the steam from the shower softens the worst creases.
Washing on the go
If you are away for several days, you can rinse underwear and socks in the basin in the evening. Use a little mild detergent, rinse thoroughly and press the water out in a towel instead of wringing. Hang everything over a chair or a hanger to dry. Viscose dries faster than thick cotton, but give it the whole night. At home most items can be washed at 30 or 40 degrees in a laundry bag and dried on a rack.
Frequently asked questions
How many pairs of socks should I pack for a three day trip
Pack at least one pair per day plus a spare. If you change halfway through the day, pack two pairs per day.
Can a slip be worn under trousers
A short slip works under a tunic or a long jumper, but under trousers an undershirt is usually more practical.
How do I stop my clothes smelling after a long day in the car
Hang your clothes up to air in the evening, change the inner layer every day and let your shoes dry out between wears.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
