Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Business trip abroad - what to wear/pack?

13 replies

AwesomeMixTapeVol1 · 27/01/2020 23:19

1st ever business trip abroad mid-March for a conference, not really sure what to take. Any advice from seasoned business trippers?

OP posts:
NYnachos · 27/01/2020 23:50

Where will it be? Average temperature? How long will you go for?

NYnachos · 27/01/2020 23:54

My general rule is to take a jacket that will match everything, then take x (being the number of days of conference) outfits that go with that. To save space I might go with dresses, but you could mix and match trousers/skirts/tops if you prefer.

I'd also take one pair of good shoes that go with everything.

If there's a conference dinner you might need posh clothes, otherwise I'd take casual stuff for the evening.

StarlightLady · 28/01/2020 06:09

The humble dress usually works well, but there is a lack of information to provide constructive reply.

  1. “Abroad” - there is no such place.
  1. Type of company? If you work for Google, the requirements are very different to someone making parts for aircraft engines.
  1. Type of event? Confrence? Training? Promotional?
  1. Type of people you will be meeting?
AwesomeMixTapeVol1 · 28/01/2020 06:23

Re "abroad" - apologies, trying to be vague in case my brand new colleagues are on here but it's France, and as stated it's for a conference.
I don't know the type of people I will be meeting, first time at this.
Sorry, I probably should've said before but the reason I'm asking for advice is due to my lack of knowledge of business trips - if I made aircraft parts and was going to a training session with a group of engineers I think I'd be secure in my clothing choice but a conference is another matter entirely.
Dresses and a smart jacket is a good idea, thanks. I guess I'm just concerned about getting it hideously wrong and sticking out like a sore thumb Blush

OP posts:
Tooearlyforrose · 28/01/2020 06:26

If it's the one I think then a mix of nice dresses for the dinners and smart trousers and maybe a blazer for daytime.
There's quite a lot of walking between venues so comfy footwear essential. Your favourite sunglasses.

strongandlong · 28/01/2020 06:29

See if you can find any pictures of the conference from previous years online. Then you can judge how formal/informal attendees are.

In my industry (IT) conference wear is quite often jeans and t-shirts.

PrimeraVez · 28/01/2020 06:40

Definitely comfortable shoes as there's often a lot of walking and standing around. Also a nice jacket or scarf etc, as I always find conference venues freezing cold!!

(I always pack gym stuff plus swim stuff as well, in case I want to go for a walk/jog or use the hotel facilities)

cobwebsoncornices · 28/01/2020 07:11

Is this MIPIM (no need to answer)? If so, I recall colleagues stressing over this a decade ago and never feeling that they'd got it right. I think the variety of events, the variety of guests and the wealth of some of the people attending makes it challenging. If you're going to any parties on yachts, that is another issue as you might need to be careful about footwear. Oh, and then there's the weather.
From what I recall (and this was a decade ago), business suits were generally seen as too fusty (and I think that that would be more so now), jackets & dresses/cigarettes trousers seemed to work with smart cocktail dresses for the evening (nothing too glitzy or revealing - but that depends on taste). When my colleagues went, i they were at the stage of life where they went to a lot of weddings so wore dresses from Coast & Ted Baker type shops that they'd originally bought to wear to weddings.

WhatWouldPennyDo · 28/01/2020 08:45

Generally my travel wardrobe would include:

Fitted dresses that are smart but don’t crease.
Smart jacket
Pencil skirt that doesn’t crease.
Silk blouse (roll it around nightwear or something similar to reduce creasing, then hang up in bathroom to steam when showering)
Smart flats
Interesting but comfy heels
Cigarette trousers
Tops for evening
Gym kit / PJs

KatharinaRosalie · 28/01/2020 12:28

Do conference materials specify dress code? If not, do you know other people who have been to that conference? Ask what the dress code is - nowadays it can range from full business suits to jeans.

When packing, think about the entire outfit for each day - trousers, top, jacket (if applicable) shoes, jewellery. You don't want to discover when on site that those favourite blouses you took actually don't work with the rest.

Take also a spare outfit, in case of any accidents.

Are there any evening events? Don't forget to check the dress code for those - sometimes it is assumed people change, sometimes not. Don't forget a smaller purse, if you're otherwise carrying a large handbag/laptop bag to conference.

Travel handheld steamer is a good investment - gets creases also out of cashmere or silk, or other delicate fabrics you don't want to iron.

user1482949820 · 28/01/2020 17:56

Bring a smart silk scarf and layers - A/C could be on and you might end up freezing. Also take two of the stuff you couldn't do without - from tights to a white shirt and from your phone charger to a hair brush. I travel quite a bit and am paranoid about losing stuff or stuff breaking and then being stuck. And that's before you think about your luggage getting lost - put a nice, stretchy top, a pair of pumps (even flat) and some nice accessories in your hand luggage and travel in a pair or black trousers and a jacket. That way if your luggage gets lost you can still show up and look put together. I actually have spreadsheets for packing lists - according to the purpose (business, holiday, city break, etc), climate and duration of the trip. But I'm quite obsessive about lists!

KatharinaRosalie · 28/01/2020 18:54

A couple of days conference - I'd travel with hand luggage to avoid any lost luggage issues

AwesomeMixTapeVol1 · 28/01/2020 21:38

@strongandlong - previous years pictures is a great idea! That would make sure I'm in the right ball park at least.
I think smart black trousers and jacket with a couple if different tops would work for a couple if the daytimes, maybe a scarf or two to mix it up.
Some great tips (and reassurance!) here, thanks.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread