At one time, work trips meant packing little more than a couple of business suits and maybe some workout clothes … nothing a garment bag and briefcase couldn’t handle. But business travel looks different these days, with packed schedules often co-existing with planned free time for exploring and multidestination trips meaning longer time spent on the road. Packing for these modern-day business trips comes with its own set of challenges, and it’s no wonder many business travelers look for ways to lighten the load while maximizing space.

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“It’s not so much packing light as it is packing efficiently,” said Emily Meredith Prentiss, luxury travel advisor, EMPexplores, an affiliate of In the Know Experiences powered by Global Travel Collection. “Traveling with a carry-on means less time at the airport on departure and arrival and less hassle with worrying about whether your luggage will arrive at your destination.”

There are, of course, destinations or climates that make it tricky for traveling carry-on only, and Prentiss often advises her clients to do what is right for them; and if they know they can’t function out of a carry-on suitcase, then check their bag and save space wherever possible. “I love to dress up when I fly,” she added, “so wearing a bulky pair of shoes or a blazer helps save space for other items in my suitcase. I also always call ahead to ensure my hotel has a great hair dryer and toiletries to help save space.”

For United Airlines captain Trey Cecil, packing light is a necessity and a challenge he has come to enjoy after logging more than 5,000 flight hours and spending the last 25 years in the cockpit. “I don’t have the luxury of unlimited space for my suitcase, and checking my luggage for every flight I do isn’t feasible,” Cecil explained. “Over time, I learned that I used about half of what I originally packed; and now, even when I do personal travel, I still try to pack light so I can avoid checking my bag if possible. Sometimes it gets difficult, especially when the seasons change, but I can attest it is possible to pack for five days in a carry-on suitcase.”

Cecil’s bag is a curated mix of essentials and multipurpose items, where even pieces of his pilot uniform can be worn multiple ways so he can save space in his suitcase. “My uniform shoes are Ariat cowboy-style Chelsea boots, so they double well for work and casual wear,” he said. His lightweight gym clothes are great for keeping fit on the road and for lounging around his hotel room, while he’s found a single business casual look is often more than enough for commuting and for exploring the town during longer layovers. “Regardless of where I’m going, I always have a thin jacket and enough clothes and underwear for an extra day … you never know if your flight home gets delayed into tomorrow,” he added.

Clothing choice holds different weight on business trips, literally and figuratively, where outfits need to work as hard as the travelers who wear them. The term “multipurpose” is the key for many seasoned travelers; a well-cut sports jacket can go from a business meeting to the city’s hottest restaurant easily, and a small assortment of accessories (jewelry, watches, silk scarves, neckties) can transform a basic ensemble into a polished look in no time.

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“I like to think of my travel style as ‘casual chic with diplomatic immunity,’” said Marianne Fabre-Lanvin, founder and CEO, Souleil, an organic wine line. “It’s versatile enough to navigate anything, from a beach stroll to an unexpected cocktail invitation, yet polished enough to never look like I’m living out of a suitcase … even when I am.”

Packing has never been a favorite pastime for this well- traveled CEO, who splits time between homes in New York City and Paris, France, and travels everywhere in between. “For years I treated it like an unsolvable riddle,” she joked, “part logic puzzle, part emotional roller coaster. The turning point came thanks to my very smart husband, Nico, who, with characteristic simplicity, suggested I print a checklist. Not just any list, but one with checkboxes for each essential, as well as special rows for events, because if there’s a boat ride or wedding on the horizon, one must pack the suitable heels. Genius, really. It changed everything.”

Now Fabre-Lanvin starts every trip with her trusty list, pen in hand, and ticks things off as she fills her minimalized suitcase (a lightweight hardshell Victorinox). “And before I even start packing, I make a decisive call on colors,” she explained. “Navy or black for winter, never both. That single choice dictates shoes, bags and other accessories.”

Choosing what to pack is a science, but the actual physical act of packing the suitcase is an art form, and every artist has their preferred medium. For most travelers, the decision to roll or fold proves as personal as choosing a window or aisle seat … and equally as contentious. Many praise packing cubes and rolling, while others refuse to forego the fold. Ultimately, the decision to fold or roll often comes down to the material being packed.

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“I do both,” said Diane Bunting, a flight attendant with Delta Air Lines, “depending on the material of the clothes and if [it] will not wrinkle. I think you can fit more in the suitcase by doing both. My husband is a pilot, and we’ll often go bike riding on our layovers together in Amsterdam, so I’ll pack workout clothes. Those I roll. Any material that doesn’t wrinkle, I roll. I tend to wear a lot of linen, and that doesn’t do as well rolled, so I fold it so I can get it flatter and fit more in.”

Bunting also figured out she can pack more if she utilizes every space in her suitcase, especially in her roll-aboard with a telescoping handle. “I try to fill in that bump with the stuff I can roll,” she clarified, “and I have several pockets on the outside of my suitcase that I keep an umbrella and a foldable lightweight backpack with a water-resistant windbreaker.”

Her packing system hasn’t changed in the 38 years she’s flown with Delta Air Lines. She packs her shoes in individual linen shoe bags on the interior outer edge of the suitcase with the soles facing outward, and packs her clothing in the center of the suitcase to maximize space. “Definitely fill your shoes,” she emphasized. “I put my belts in them along with my socks. That way, I make sure my belt matches my shoes, but also it’s a nice reminder not to forget my belt.”

Although business trips have changed in recent years, packing for them still falls under the tried-and-true principle that less is more. Capsule wardrobes (collections with timeless, tailored and versatile pieces) are often the first step toward a successful trip. Consider creating your own travel capsule wardrobe with the 5-4-3-2-1 packing rule, a simple guideline of packing five tops, four bottoms, three dresses or layers, two pairs of shoes and one accessory.

Whether your trip entails racing through the airport, presenting in the boardroom or settling into an impromptu dinner with co-workers, may your well-thought-out essentials take you wherever you may go … and possibly even leave room for a few souvenirs to bring home.