Two week work travel wardrobe

[katmarie]

Oh god I need help! I have forgotten how to dress like a professional. I used to be able to do this, I swear, then I had kids, and everything changed shape and nothing fits.

I am potentially travelling to Florida in June for 2 weeks for workshops with a client. I wfh at the moment, I'm a business analyst, and I live in leggings and tshirts. But I will be meeting with clients for the whole two weeks, so need to look professional (while still being comfortable if possible). There will be daytime meetings and possibly a couple of evening dinners (which I do have a couple of smart dresses for).

I need outfits for 10 work days, so I am thinking some kind of mix and match capsule type approach in neutral colours. But, I am 5 ft 3, size 16-18, and a 36gg bra. All my weight is on my tummy. I feel like a lumpy potato. Everything I wear that's not leggings these days feels uncomfortable, especially on my stomach.

I have a couple of tops, but I'm struggling with trousers. It's going to be hot and humid outside and air con all the way in the office. I really need a light fabric, smart trouser option which will go with loose blouses in navy, white and burgundy colours (that's what I have at the moment). It needs to come in petite length, and be comfortable on the stomach. Does such a thing exist? I looked at the M&S Jersey trousers, are they smart enough looking to wear to a client workshop?

I also need a jacket/long sleeve top type thing I can pop on when the air con is too vigorous, which doesn't make my boobs look huge or my arms look short.

Budget is about £200, so not a lot! Ideally I need 3-4 pairs of trousers, I can do a wash over the weekend while I'm there.

Any suggestions for tops as well, gratefully received. Shoes wise I have a couple of pairs of black loafers which I think will be ok.

How do you feel about showing your legs? I'd be inclined to go for dresses if I was feeling unsure as you only have to pack and think about one item that way! Maybe something tailored so it looks professional but can also be dressed down for day wear? I'd get three or four in neutral colours and some jacket and accessories options.

Also, find out if you can, what the client wears, as some business people seem to wear jeans and casual wear all the time over there. Not saying leggings and a ratty old t-shirt will be ok, but you may not need to look too formal

Thank you! I don't mind my legs, they are not my worst feature! A selection of flattering dresses could totally do the job. Why did I not think about dresses?! I'm so out of practice at clothes for actually seeing people in.

Are ballet flat type shoes a yes or a no at the moment? I feel like black loafers might be a bit chunky looking with a dress. Trainers will be too casual too. Hmmmm. More browsing needed!

Look on Pinterest for capsule wardrobes that may give you some inspiration/ideas. As you haven’t got a huge budget have a look on Vinted.

I love travelfashiongirl for this stuff OP https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/business-trip-packing-list-for-minimalist-fashionistas/.

With your four blouses you could get away with two pants or skirts (could you do skirts?) and a dress and two jackets or jardigans (cardigan jackets). Maybe look at apple shape blazers for inspiration? https://pacificglobetrotters.com/top-5-best-blazers-for-the-apple-shape-woman/ (good news is that the flowy ones are recommended AND comfy to travel in).

Plain black linen trousers, wide leg will be comfortable / cool and you can wear more than once.

Don't forget you can get clothes washed / cleaned in the US.

I often use a shawl / scarf rather than a jacket but that might be too informal.

I thought this was quite clever - the jackets are different shapes so that makes outfits look very different.

Ballet flats are currently fashionable

My experience is that US business women tend to before formally dressed . I went to a conference in Miami pre COVID and the women were more dressy than the men.

I hope you enjoy it when you get there it sounds like a great opportunity and you should actually see the sun ☀️

I second good quality linen trousers though I’d get them in navy or taupe/beige - that would work with your blouses. I did a similar trip last year and I took with me 3 pairs of trousers - navy, beige and black, 4 shirts (white/navy/beige), and 4 tops in same colours. 2 pairs of shoes (sling backs). You can do with less if you are planning to use local laundrette or hotel laundry service.

i would suggest a couple of shirt dresses, you mention your 5 3” so a midi length will be to your ankle. H and M do lovely ones for 20 quid. The Florida heat can be relentless so get a couple of pairs of chubrub shorts from snag tights these are brilliant and really make wearing a dress more comfy. A smart black sandal could be an option. For the aircon I always have a fine knit cardi.

Not sure what your budget is, Whistles do Olivia dress is several colours, it’s smart and can be polished up with accessories.

I would also look at wrap dresses, sounds like they will suit your shape. I am also same height and find that dressing in the same colour, top and bottom half, is more flattering, dresses or separates.

You are all amazing, thank you so so much. I have tonnes of inspiration now.

The hotel will have laundry service so I can take a smaller number of items, and do a wash service over the weekend.

My experience of US women's work wardrobes so far has been limited to the tech industry in Silicon Valley, which is obviously a bit of a world of it's own, and definitely a lot less formal than what I anticipate my clients will expect. Plus I really want to make a good impression, both on them and my company, this is my first time travelling with them, and I'd like to do more in future.

To the PP who mentioned chub rub shorts, they are absolutely on my list, I have a couple of pairs already, I find they're essential in the summer.

I think my list is going to be mostly dresses, looking for ones that are smart, but lightweight, so I like the idea of the shirt dresses, @Becstarlenski, I will check those out. I will add a pair of wide leg linen trousers and a couple of my existing blouses. I will try and find a fine knit cardigan, probably in navy or black, and I have a green blazer, which will work with black, grey, or cream dresses, and add a bit of colour. I've got ballet flats in black or burgundy. I'll take a pair of heels as well, for evening stuff. I think that will do it.

@Brillenbar47 that video was really instructive, thank you. It's made me think a lot about proportions and how a few items can do an awful lot.

I've been hunting on vinted for a good quality large handbag I can use as a laptop bag/carry on, and I have an eye on a couple of nice leather ones.

Thank you all again, I have gone from stressing about what on earth to wear, to being excited about getting to dress nicely for two whole weeks!

These shirt dresses from M&S are light voile cotton & very cool to wear. M&S seem to do this style every year in different prints. I've worn them at various sizes - from a 12 to a 16/18 & not necessarily with a belt.

I’ve travelled a lot with work (including US) and only thing to remember is that whist it’s often hot outside, hotels and offices can be freezing with air-con. Lots of people leave an air conditioned home, drive in an air-conditioned car to an air conditioned office… so I need layers. Jackets and cardigans a must for inside and summer clothes in non-synthetic fabrics for down time outside. From memory, outfits I wore in US last summer included capri pants, with knitted tea and blazer/ dresses and some silk dresses as was very hot when outside

Another thing to consider, when I worked in the US every woman had her nails done and wore expensive watches, rings etc.

So it would be worth having a manicure before you go!

If it was me I'd find out if your hotel has a hair salon or can recommend one close-by and book a blow dry every 2-3 days. On similar occasion I took the following

• mosquito repellent. They love me and I got bitten whenever out. Antihistamine/ Benadryl etc !
• jackets are your friend in fit that suits. I have one 'go-with-anything light cotton jersey beige cardigan type jacket and a biker's design soft jersey jacket in navy ( mine were Laura Ashley but whistles do similar)
• 2 or 3 quite tailored shirt dresses - mix and match with jackets
• smart wedge heels or ballet pumps - maybe pair high heels
• I never wear linen trousers - give even slimmest a huge butt(!) and too crushed looking for formal business wear. I like a tailored pair looser trousers. Mango sometimes good. You might get away with smart patterned palazzo trousers worn with heel. Loads in shops including river island, mango etc at moment
• Couple pure cotton blouses or T-shirts to tone with trousers.

Good luck.

I agree re the linen trousers btw - I iron mine the night before and hang them up. By mid morning they look like shit. I can't wear them to work for that reason! I only have one pair which I just wear for hot weather at home

Linen blend might be ok

Actually I think my linen trousers are actually a blend, I certainly don't get the creases and they are my 'uniform'.

June will be hot in Florida! Definitely get yourself lots of dresses and some comfortable smart shoes. I second getting a gel manicure and pedicure to make you feel polished

I was just in the US for work. Those shirtdresses would mark you out as "not from around here" but that could be a good thing--different cultures of dress mean you can get away with a bit more! Are you meeting with the same folks every day? That will also dictate how many clothes you need if you don't want to re-wear

I'm not sure of the itinerary yet, my hope is that it will be with team one at site one for the first week, then team 2 at site 2 for the second. But I'm part of a wider group going so it will need to be co-ordinated across everyone's needs.

The overall look I'm going for is professional and polished, I want to exude competence and confidence. I have ordered a light grey linen blend smart dress (from M&S) on vinted, I'm going to try that on and if it suits, I'll order a couple more in a similar style.