Lands' End Business Outfitters Blog

Top tips for business travelers (from Twitter friends)

This is prime event season. Thousands of business travelers are packing their bags and heading out. Conventions, trade shows, annual meetings...We asked our Twitter followers for their favorite business travel survival tips. Rules of the road, so to speak, that make a trip more manageable. Here's our top five (in no particular order).

1. Breath mints. Those early-morning flights ask a lot of your morning toothbrush routine. Do your neighbor a favor and pop a little minty freshness. 

2. Book the earliest flight home. Later flights are more likely to be delayed. Being up before 3 is hard, but you'll be home at a decent hour. 

3. Meeting soon? Pack an undershirt in your travel case. Quick change and you'll feel as good as that No Iron Pinpoint is making you look.  

4. Patience, patience patience. A smile at the baggage carousel/during check-in/security goes farther than a scowl. 

5. Pack your own travel blanket. Long flights, layovers - perfect pillow when you need it most. 

Thanks to our Twitter followers for the great tips. If you'd like, join in on the conversation. Or share your own travel tips by leaving a comment. 

Happy travels!

World Bird Sanctuary – our 2009 2nd place Makeover Winner!

Watch the video:

Over 1,500 entered...only TWO were chosen

2nd prize: $5000 in logo'd apparel from Lands' End. And the advice of our experts.

Congratulations, World Bird Sanctuary!

This non-profit organization is a safe haven for birds from around the world. The group was founded by famed Ornithologist, Walter C. Crawford, Jr. 

Situated on 305 acres of Missouri woods, visitors get an up-close look at fascinating raptors: Eurasian Owls, majestic Bald Eagles and intense-yet-familial vultures from as far away as the Andes Mountain and as close as our back yard. Often rescued, these birds of prey inspire a higher level of understanding for all fortunate enough to witness their behavior. 

A full-time staff of 18 (and 140 volunteers) reach 160,000 people a year through their environmental education programs in the Midwest alone. 61,000 people per year visit the facilities. That's a huge opportunity to spread their message.

 BEFORE: The naturalists have a pretty standard shirt and pants uniform. But it gets cold in Missouri. 

"We needed jackets," admits Teri. "A winter educational program on the shores of the Mississippi requires a warm coat, but we didn't have the funds," adds Catherine. "Wearing different styles and colors doesn't project the image we've worked so hard to build." 

 AFTER: toasty 3-in-1 Squall Jackets. The jackets offer year 'round protection, perfect for Missouri's changing weather. We also suggested a punch of color. Pale Emerald gives the naturalists a brighter stage presence.  

 "I feel like the Lands' End jackets elevate our presence a bit, giving our group added validity and recognition," says Teri.

 "You'd be surprised how many people commented on our non-World Bird jackets," says Michael. 

  "We're open 363 days a year. We needed the jackets so much," says Catherine.

 Liz adds, "she's right, it makes a difference. Thank you." 

SUCCESS!

His favorite shirt for 20 years gets new life.

Traveling with a tailor is bound to give you some great material. 

Our makeover team had the pleasure of meeting Roger, owner of an incredibly worn, blue, button-front work shirt. Looking at it was like reading Roger's work story. "This paint stain here? That was two wall colors ago." Roger Halloway, director of facilities at World Bird Sanctuary, was proud to show us the label. "I've had this shirt for over 20 years," he said.  "Got it from Lands' End in the 80s and I've worn it ever since." Geralyn remembered the shirt:  "I think it's a Paintbrush Denim," she said. Geralyn's been with Lands' End for 25 years. "I remember it came in a bunch of colors." She was right. We found the shirt in a catalog dated 1987.  

Roger was proud of the fact that despite being butter-soft with wear, there were no holes in the fabric. "The only thing is this missing button. That's why I wear it over a t-shirt." 

While Roger was busy modeling his new makeover look, Deb, our tailor, pulled out her sewing kit. "I can fix that," she said and quickly removed a button from the cuff. Perfect fit for the placket. She pulled a comparable button from her kit to replace the one from the cuff. You should have seen Roger's face when he saw his old favorite. "It's good for another 20 years!" 

His makeover look was a thankful solution for days he'll be meeting visitors (see below). But as we left, we watched him go back to work wearing his old denim shirt, neatly buttoned.

 

Curse you, tomato-based condiments.

During these work-at-your-desk times, I've found it's almost impossible to get through an entire work week without at least one ketchup, salsa or French dressing collision. But I've stumbled on to a friend in my fight against humiliating post-lunch meetings: No Iron Pinpoints. If I catch it quickly, the dollop just lifts off. No kidding! Same goes for coffee dribbles. (A friendly co-worker with a laundry stick helps at times, too!) I've been writing about these shirts for two years now and never knew such function was possible. But let me tell you, until my coordination with a coffee cup improves, I'm sticking with these shirts on big meeting days. Might just help you out, too. 

Lands' End has a better price for Screen Print Tees. We checked.

We (ahem) screened the competition. Their Gildan® 2000 Ultra Cotton Screen Print T-shirt against ours. We were confident our merchants put together a great package, but it's always good to have outside reassurance. 

We tested the most popular order scenario: 72 of the same color short sleeve Gildan 2000 Ultra Cotton T-shirts, four color design, regular sizes only. 

At Lands' End, you'd pay $422.40 or just $5.87 per shirt. The other screen print big shot? $642.40 or just $8.92 per shirt. Ouch! Here's how it breaks down:

Lands' End: Design set-up: $30; Shirt: $5.45

The other guy: Design set-up: $160; Shirt: $5.50. And they added an $86.40 Run Charge. 

With Lands' End you get up to six design colors included in the price of the shirt. And the peace of mind that comes with our famous promise: Guaranteed. Period.®

Interested in learning more? Read the full details, or send a comment.