Wilen, who travels extensively as a marketing manager for Cisco, has perfected packing for extended business travel, where she may need to work in a new town every day. For trips extending to two weeks, add a blazer and another skirt or pair of slacks. A leather briefcase can double as a handbag. International Travel Businesswomen traveling abroad face a number of challenges. Cultural differences and gender politics increase the complexity of traveling in countries where even the street signs may be unreadable.
Colors have different meanings, too.
Wilen recounts a situation where an American executive appeared at a trade presentation in Japan wearing a beautifully tailored red suit. The audience was shocked. The attention was on her clothes, rather than her presentation. Wilen advises sticking to conservative navy or gray and avoiding black in Asia. Plain black as well as white are associated with death and funerals.