Outfit for conference in Austria but also comfy for the plane...

[Turning25]

Can anyone help me find something to wear for an upcoming work trip?

I will be travelling and have to literally get off the plane, onto the train and then speak at a conference, so I'm really worried I won't have time to change.

On top of the plane I have a 3 hour train journey to the airport, plus the waiting around. I am really really hoping I'll have time to drop my bags at the hotel and have a quick shower and change but if not, does anyone have any suggestions?

Also any suggestions for the second day, where I will be visiting offices for a couple of different companies- what is standard workwear in Austria?

I am 5 foot 8, size 10, but have a typical hourglass figure, with disproportionately short legs which I'd really like to hide. I can bring heels to change into, but not sure what is normal over there.

Thank you!

I’d go with wide leg ankle length trousers and a blouse with some funky flats - nice loafers or pointed flats that I am comfortable walking through the airport and on the plane,
changing to heels if you prefer before speaking. Maybe a trench coat to go over the top. Layering definitely keep to travel comfort.

Thank you- this sounds good. I've got wide leg trousers but they are slightly longer - maybe I'll find some slightly shorter ones. Blouse and trench coat I have - thanks!

Me+Em have a whole travel section- maybe worth browsing for ideas.

if you did want a dress this one is nice, or other stores would have ponte dresses at lower prices:

www.meandem.com/travel-tailoring-batwing-sleeve-midi-dress-bitter-orange

That is absolutely lovely, but unfortunately the colouring wouldn't work for me- I might try and find something similar!

I have to do this from time to time. Currently, I would wear a similar outfit to a PP; wide ankle length trousers, a silk shirt and a blazer. I'd wear 'smart' trainers but also take a pair of nice flats for when I get there. For Day 2, I'd wear slim cut trousers and a different top (same blazer), with flats for when I'm in the offices and then switch to trainers for the journey home

If it's more winter-y, I would take two dresses and some smart but comfy boots.

Until the election I’d never given Me and Em much attention,(and it’s still not at all my style) but I recommended that orange dress on another thread! They have various iterations of the ‘travel’ model in other colours and fabrics which might be quieter for a work trip.

I would definitely find a similar dress more comfortable and manageable for a complicated schedule than trousers / shirt / jacket. Pick a fabric that won’t crumple - wear with tall flat boots. Simple, elegant, striking.

Agree re dresses here. The wide legged trousers/ silk blouse/ blazer / slim cut trousers combinations sound an enormous faff and will crease more than a dress.

Thank you all. I am leaning towards a dress and boots, especially since a dress with a bit of a waist hides my short legs! My only concern is that it's useful to have pockets in the airport but I have a couple of weeks so hopefully I can find something that works.

Long boots or short boots?

Buying a small cross body bag has changed my airport life. Just big enough for passport, phone, headphones. You can carry a separate handbag. It's a gamechanger, no pockets required!

I think a dress is the best way to go. Jersey doesn't crease. Have a look at Co's.

Flat knee length boots probably look smarter.

Re pockets why not try something like a small Radley cross body pocket bag? It doesn't need to expensive or stylish or even one you like- just something that keeps passport, phone and cards safely on you.

Long! You want the whole outfit to look sleek and harmonious - not bits and pieces. Like this:

https://www.meandem.com/travel-tailoring-ponte-collar-midi-dress-intense-red

https://co-collections.com/collections/dresses/products/long-sleeve-shirt-dress-in-stretch-viscose-black

https://www.meandem.com/travel-tailoring-ponte-pinstripe-maxi-dress-navy-white

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.funnel-neck-panelled-midi-dress-blue.1248389001.html

I'd go for whatever boots are more comfortable to be honest! I find travelling thought airports and on a plane (where your feet can swell) to be tough on my feet. And if you're only taking one pair of shoes/boots, you don't want to be in pain by the end of the trip.

Pocket bag. The Me+Em dresses MetaDaughter posted are styled with similar.

I’m not much of a dress person, so my business travel outfits tend towards the layered knit/relaxed leg trousers/trainers type thing. Substitute loafers if you’re looking for a slightly more formal shoe, but otherwise it’s comfortable enough for travel days and smart enough for work.

What about this Japanese brand?

CFCL
Dress 1
Dress 2
Dress 3

Oh, my word! And just when I have to rush out of the door! Fabulous find, @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle.

(You maybe won’t want this particular dress for your conference, OP, but the brand is definitely worth consideration.)

I do this a lot. My go to is, a pair of very dark blue, good quality jeans (usually Paige), a plain T-shirt and a designer/semi-designer jacket (TK Maxx is your friend). Some very smart trainers. People notice quality, so the more expensive the better. 90% of the business people on the flights I take are men and they are normally dressed in jeans, shirt, suit jacket. Austria tends to be a bit more formal so trousers as suggested by others might be a better bet than jeans.

If I think I might need to get changed after travelling I'll take a non-creasable top in my bag and just change in the loos when I get there. Also gives you the chance to freshen up with a wash or wipes if needed.

A lot of the dresses posted have high necks and sleeves - I’d worry about being hot and sweaty on a warm plane and walking between destinations, especially combined with long boots.

I used to travel to work in Austria a few times a year and although it can get cold most of the time it’s like England - mild and wet.

I haven’t tried them but recently saw a recommendation on here for ASOS ‘pull on trousers’ - they seem to fit the smart but comfortable brief really well. I think I’d go for them with a neat plain Tshirt and a light jumper (like the images @MotherWol posted) and dress it up with a simple but shiny bracelet, necklace and earrings and flat leather shoes. I’d choose smart trainers or slip ons as boots on a plane sounds awful to me!

I used to get the train from the airport into central Vienna, it was a very clean, modern, high tech train, often with two decks! You could definitely comfortably change in the train toilet if you need to.

my trips were ten years ago but I remember that on that train they used to play an informational video about correct work etiquette for commuters- the bit that stuck out to me was that ‘men don’t style their hair or apply make up in the office or meeting, so women shouldn’t either. Do this in the bathroom’ 😄

Thank you all!! Especially @CurlsLDN @whatifshejust this is really useful from people who have worked in Austria. I do get the impression that things are more formal than in the UK so I need to be mindful of that. @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle these are amazing but I don't think I have the confidence to wear a lot of these things!

I prefer dresses to trousers and in your situation I'd look at the dresses at The Fold. https://thefoldlondon.com/clothing/dresses-jumpsuits/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADvgiGpm3PMfqTprekT-_y_UCVT5d&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxsm3BhDrARIsAMtVz6OWh1L1tlezs90kg1g0HH5Or-sIzRfk2DagzrjHU5NlJLe5AtPML6kaAoM7EALw_wcB
I have 3 dresses from them and they are flattering and comfortable for travel. They also sell jackets that go nicely over the top of dresses.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-elasticated-waist-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60689915?color=ECRU&prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip44g2r1c2 These trousers and a cotton vest or t-shirt/with light cashmere type jumper for the flight. At the airport in Austria nip to the loo and put a silky blouse on (pack it in a packing cube to avoid creasing) and your heels. Or throw a blazer over your t-shirt. Done so much of this travel and always good to have a change of top if nothing else.

Or - change out of plane clothes to something like this 😊 https://www.karenmillen.com/soft-tailored-colour-block-panel-full-skirted-midi-dress/BKK17478-157-16.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACo7BY9QO83vJnf9pbbe27OP2uutr&gclsrc=ds even if at the airport before hopping on the train.