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I have been a big fan of Wool & Prince clothing for a long time. A couple years back, I highlighted some of their staple products in this post. After two years and MANY wears, those items are still going strong! This review will feature new items, including a new button down shirt, a blazer, chinos, socks, and updated boxer briefs, to build a complete business travel wardrobe.
Things to know – I’m 5’11 tall and approximately 170lbs. I wear a size medium in the shirts, and 34w in the pants, they fit perfectly. These items are not cheap, but if you’re spending almost nothing on travel, you can afford to buy some high quality gear. In the long run, durable, well-made clothing will last longer and save you money.
This article will highlight items that work well together, to form a complete packing list for your business travel. With these key items, you can pack a single, lightweight bag, and look sharp at your next long-distance work assignment.
Button Down Oxford Shirt
The Wool & Prince Button Down Oxford Shirt is made from 100% merino wool, and it is absolutely one of my favorite wardrobe items – not only for travel, but for general use. I’ve worn it to work, to church, out with friends, and even for family pictures. The wool keeps the shirt breathable and soft, while maintaining a nice drape (not too stiff or too floppy). The button down collar makes this a very versatile shirt for dress up or casual wear.
I’ve worn it on trips to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Costa Rica, often for many days without a wash. It has never even started to smell bad! I fold it up and pack it at the bottom of my back pack. When we arrive, I simply unfold, give it a good shake, and hang it up. Almost like magic, the wool snaps any wrinkles out.
The button down oxford has been a core item from Wool & Prince for a long time. Recently, they added a new variant, with a higher fabric weight to increase durability. The original version has a fabric weight of 130gsm and uses 18.5 micron wool yarn. The new oxfords increase the weight to 210gsm and use thinner 17.5 micron yarn, softening the hand feel, and giving the shirt a more traditional oxford cloth look.
This shirt is an absolute staple for any business travel wardrobe. Wear it during the day to look sharp in meetings, conferences, and presentations. It works well by itself or dressed up with a tie and jacket. After work, simply roll up the sleeves, and you’re ready for happy hour. It even looks great untucked, with a pair of casual pants.
Grab your Wool & Prince 100% Merino Wool Button Down Oxford Shirt here. They fit true to size.
Blazer
The Wool & Prince Blazer is unusually comfortable, while also looking sharp. Due to its “unstructured” build, it feels a bit more like a cardigan than a blazer. With a mid-weight blend of 75% merino wool and 25% nylon, you will notice a subtle stretch and never feel too warm or cold. Merino is the perfect insulator, while also allowing air to flow. It also features two functional front pockets and interior pockets for storing any gadgets you’re carrying.
The fit of this blazer is pleasantly slim, but not to the point that the button looks stressed. The subtle stretch also keeps you comfortable, despite the slim cut. My actual jacket size is a 39R, so I was between the sizes offered by Wool and Prince. I tried on both sizes and found that, despite the slimmer cut, the smaller 38R fit perfectly.
Pair this with the shirt from above and the chinos (below) for a sharp, business look. Wear it over the button down, untucked, for a date night. You can even wear it over a nice t-shirt for a stylish casual look. It will keep you feeling warm and looking cool!
Grab your Wool & Prince Blazer Here. If you’re between sizes, I recommend sizing down.
Slim Chinos
Wool & Prince has historically focused on tops – t-shirts, button downs, jackets, etc. The Slim Chinos are their first foray into the world of pants, and they’re doing it right! These Chinos are built from a sturdy wool/nylon twill fabric. The blend of 60% merino wool and 40% nylon give them a nice, structured feel, without being constricting.
As the name suggests, these chinos only come in a slim fit. If you’re worried about wearing “slim” pants, don’t be. These are a pretty generous version of a slim fit, and nowhere close to some of the skinny pants you see around. They fit true to size, and they will likely require tailoring for your specific length.
With any good travel wardrobe, versatility is key. I feel comfortable wearing these pants to an important presentation, or out to a bar. They work just as well with a shirt and tie, as they do with a polo, or a t-shirt.
Grab your pair of Wool & Prince Slim Chinos here. They fit true to size in the waist and have a standard 34-inch inseam.
Merino Socks
Sock game is huge these days. You have two choices with socks – blend in or stand out. Wool & Prince socks offer both of these options. They have solid color, stripes, or dots. I went with the navy and red dots option, because I like my socks to be a little more fun.
When packing, socks can take up a sneaky amount of space in your bag. Most people assume you need to take a new pair of socks for every day of the trip. However, unless you have particularly bad foot odor, merino wool socks are good for multiple days of wear. I suggest bringing a couple pairs for a week-long trip. Rotate the socks each day, while the other pair airs out. The wool will keep the odor away!
My biggest concern with socks is how quickly they tend to wear out, especially wool socks. Wool and Prince decided to use a 22-micron wool/nylon blend for enhanced durability. For reference, a lower micron number will feel slightly softer, but the socks will break down more quickly. These babies should last a long time!
Grab your pair of Wool & Prince Merino Wool socks here. Pick up a couple pairs to rotate during your business trip.
Boxer Briefs 2.0
In my previous Wool & Prince review, I raved about their original boxer briefs. That pair is still in my rotation, over two years later, with almost no signs of wear! I’ve worn them all over the world and washed them many times. They’ve held up more than twice as long as any other pair of merino underwear I’ve ever tested!
The new Wool & Prince Boxer Briefs 2.0 are even MORE durable and designed for maximum comfort. Wool & Prince teamed up with a well-known travel gear writer to build the perfect wool underwear. They updated the fabric to include a nylon filament and spandex for higher tensile strength and flexibility. The also changed the direction of the leg fabric to prevent the dreaded “ride up.” These new boxer briefs are lighter, more durable, and more comfortable than the originals… and I LOVED the originals.
Grab your pair of Wool & Prince Boxer Briefs 2.0 here. Pick up a few pairs to rotate during your trip.
Shoes (not Wool & Prince)
Although, this post is about Wool & Prince gear, I did promise a complete business travel wardrobe. I’ve spent a long time looking for the “perfect one-shoe for travel,” and the Cole Haan ZeroGrand Oxfords are the best I’ve found.
These shoes are extremely comfortable, with Nike technology in the soles. They feel like running shoes and look like high-end leather, dress shoes. Whether walking through airports, standing at conferences, or (in a pinch) jogging on the hotel treadmill, these shoes will keep your feet happy! They’re also very lightweight and packable.
Final Thoughts
In my previous career, I spent nearly 250 nights on the road per year. I used to take a large suitcase for week-long trips. I wish I had discovered Wool & Prince’s business wardrobe options back then! You should pick up a blazer, two button down shirts, a pair of slim chinos, three pairs of boxer briefs, and two pairs of socks for the ideal business travel wardrobe! With this simple list of items, you will have everything you need to look great for work and play during your next business trip.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
