Breeze Through TSA With the Only Travel Clothes Men Need to Look Their Best

Adam Mansuroglu

Updated August 15, 2018 at 11:07 PM

Do you ever get that terrible anxiety at the airport that your carry-on is too heavy? Or you're rushing out on a quick trip, but realize you have a serious problem editing down your wardrobe? SAME! Sure, there are tricks to cramming all your gear into your luggage to make it fit (if we had a penny for every time we had to sit on our suitcase to close it!), but for the guy on the go, there has to be a better solution. That's when we phoned a friend, influencer Joey Zauzig. Joey's tips emphasize sticking to a color palette of only a couple of colors, reducing the amount of shoes you're packing, and bringing one flexible-yet-sharp suit.

PR-maven-turned-menswear-influencer Zauzig is constantly on the move for photo shoots, events, and special projects across the globe. With little to no time to grab his things and go (the rough life of a jetsetter!), we wondered ... how does he do it? The answer: strategic packing! We worked with Zauzig to test out some seriously smart clothes and outfit combinations to get the essential dapper wardrobe that fits perfectly in our favorite TUMI carry-on.

"Packing more simple items, especially on longer trips, is key to keeping that luggage under 50 pounds (and avoiding paying more money), and also so it's not so overwhelming when picking your outfits out of a suitcase," Zauzig says.

Here's where we landed on the best mix of travel clothes to look stylish without the excess baggage.

The Button-Down Shirt:

"When you're traveling, you never know when you might need to be dressed-up, or even if you're visiting friends and they want to go out. I always make sure to pack a simple white button-down because it can be paired with a dope blazer and denim for an evening meeting/dinner. Ditch the blazer, and you have a great buttoned-up casual look for a night out," Zauzig says.

This stellar choice from Buttoned Down is perfect for travel (thanks to a wrinkle-free fabric and slim-fit) and for looking sharp in a flash without worrying about breaking out the hotel iron! Though the brand just launched a few years ago, their button-down has become one of our favorite go-tos. Plus, we're always a fan of ordering basics on Amazon!

The T-Shirt:

Keeping your graphic T-shirt in black and white means more opportunities to pair it with just about anything. As Zauzig shows us, you can rock it with a suit for an effortlessly cool and polished look, or pair it with your favorite jeans for a casual lunch. You can't go wrong with this one!

Check Out These Cool T-shirts to Wear Under Anything!

The Jeans:

The key is to pack your favorite go-to pair of jeans that always feels and looks just right. No matter how many jeans you own, you know you're always going to want to wear that same favorite pair!

"The L'homme skinny jeans from Frame are my absolute favorite fit," Zauzig says. "They're beyond soft and comfortable! I even like to wear them on the plane and throw them on when going out with a more dressed-up look. They come with me on every trip (no matter what!)."

Try These Skinny Jeans for Comfort With a Slim Look!

The Suit:

"The Theory wrinkle-resistant suit is my favorite thing to pack on a trip. It's so easy for me to just take it right out of the suitcase, throw it on, and head to a meeting or dinner right when I land," Zauzig says.

Not only is Theory's Semi Tech suiting wrinkle-resistant, but it also has great stretch to move with you without losing its shape! It's just what you need when you're running to catch your flight and want to travel with comfort. Basically, it's the only suit you'll want to keep on all day!

The Sneakers:

"APL sneakers are my go-to when packing for a trip! They're so minimal and stylish! These sneakers are great if you want to get a workout in, shower at the gym, and then throw on a suit without lugging around two pairs of shoes with you," Zauzig says.

The Reversible Belt:

A good reversible belt goes a long way! Pack a dress belt (like our favorite from Salvatore Ferragamo) to pair with any look. It easily switches from black to brown, with silver hardware to put a finishing touch on your look.

These Reversible Belts Are a Total Lifesaver for a Top-Notch Look!

The Sunglasses:

Go with a pair that's a twist on a classic! Morgenthal Frederics' Benny glasses with crystal acetate frames were Zauzig's choice for the best sunnies to rock with anything and everything in his suitcase. The shape is a classic, but the clear frames give it personality without overpowering even the most minimal outfits.