Clothes that travel the world as well as you do

In the past, so-called 'travel clothes' were ugly beige or teal garments you bought from outdoor shops and made you look like a German backpacker with an unhealthy interest in Lonely Planet.

Worse still, they were created from the kind of synthetics that would have you crackling with static electricity.

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Thankfully, today's travel clothes are smart enough to get you from the boardroom to the Business Class lounge.

Baled up

Matt Jensen, CEO of MJ Bale says he has seen blokes making more of an effort in recent years when it comes to dressing for the pointy end of the plane.

"Everybody always says, 'Oh, no one gets dressed up to travel like they did in the old days', and I think that's true maybe of the last 30 years. However, I think recently that men, Australian men, are making a greater effort, purely because we're possibly a lot more exposed to international culture and information, fed instantly thanks to the rise of social media."

"Guys want to look the part not only when they touch down in their destination, but they want to look the goods getting there, too … our major focus is obviously on deconstructed woollen jackets and suits, which are lightweight, breathable and only need a quick steam in the shower at the hotel to spruce up and bounce back to its original shape."

Wool to watch

There's no doubt wool is great for cold climates, of course, but it's also perfect for warmer weather too. Merino wool absorbs your body perspiration and redistributes it evenly across the body. It's also odour-reducing, handy for those guys on long haul flights

Earlier this year Executive Style featured a story about a navy suit by MJ Bale that survived a 5-day non-stop journey around the world. The very high twist in the wool gave the cloth a natural twist resistance and durability, making it ideal for travelling.

The bottom line. If you are looking for a suit to travel in, forget synthetics. "Although cheap, they are never good for breathability and they crush easily," says Jensen.

He nominates three criteria, apart from aesthetics, a man needs to consider when packing his luggage for an overseas business trip, or holiday: Am I going to be comfortable; how well does it let my body breathe on those epic flights to London or Europe; and how suitable is it to the climate of my end destination?

Block colours

Darren Palmer, a judge on The Block and Audi Ambassador knows a lot about travel, having to fly interstate regularly for his work. He also ventures overseas several times a year, visiting in-laws in France.

"I never wear synthetics, ever," is Palmer's sage advice. "I mostly wear cotton or wool. Sometimes I'll take linen. Yes, it crushes, but I just fix it up when I get to my destination."

His favourite travel items at the moment are a black leather hoody "I've had for ages; it rolls up quite small and it's nice and warm for when I travel to cold locations" and a pair of Academy Brand jogger pants with elasticised waist and ankles. "They are basically posh tracky dacks, and very comfortable to travel in," he says.

Scroll through the gallery above to see our seven favourite items to pack on your next trip.

Executive Style