3 hour train journey to “meet the team” What to wear.

[GargoylesofBeelzebub]

I have stage 4 of an interview process next week. They want me to meet them face to face before formally offering me the role. There’s lunch and then some meetings with the team.

Because the team are spread all over the country we’re to meet in a central location which is a 3 hour train journey for me. I arrive on the day with very little time to spare before the lunch.

Really struggling with what to wear in terms of how formal to be but also something that will survive the train journey without me looking like a crumpled mess. Or should I change just before the train gets in?

I need sleeves as hate my arms and have big boobs so need something that has a waist. Any suggestions?

I travel a lot for work - sometimes much more than 3 hours - and then have to head straight in to a meeting and I have found dresses from The shirt company tend to still look good on arrival. I buy the shirt dresses mainly - The Le Marais is very flattering. And when they have a sale you can get some absolute bargains. They are very well made and finished and definitely look like they cost much more than they do!

Edited to say I just noticed there's 20% off at the mo!

https://www.theshirtcompany.com/collections/shirt-dresses/products/le-marais-navy-cotton-everyday-midi-shirt-dress-copy

I love this

I think it is perfect.

She said she does not like her arms .

This will survive a train journey. I’m in a senior role and wore this with a chunky necklace and sling backs last week to a meeting with a drive, wait, 2.5 hour train ride.

Also These, do not crease. Really well cut, amazing for the price. I’ve bought a second pair (navy not white for me).

I know a Senior Finance Professional and her Mum let her stay away overnight.

She even goes to the shops by herself (with a list).

That's true, but I think that the sentence about her arms appeared in the later edited post. I don't think that she mentioned her arms in the original post, which is the one I saw.

Don’t wear cotton on the train, it will be a crumpled mess. If you will travel for 3 hours either take it with you on a hanger or wear something else. Unfortunately you’ll a polyester mix to ensure it doesn’t crumple

Stay in an hotel the night before. Trains add stress as they are often unreliable.

I have this dilemma as have a face to face interview coming up for the first time in over a decade but it’s internal so I actually know full well that I don’t need to be quite as formal on a day to day basis.

I really like a lot of the Reiss work wear options for really formal occasions but didn’t want to plump up £200 for a dress I likely wouldn’t wear that often. What I’ve done instead is buy a new lightweight jacket that will still look smart in the heat and will pair with an existing formal dress I have.

I do think a jacket is essential for an interview for a senior job. All the men will be in suits without a question.

I was all ready to buy a Reiss dress but realised it would likely be a bit of a waste. Shoes are causing me a bit of angst though. Am torn between an older pair of heels I can just about walk in that look super smart versus flats that are more comfy but don’t look quite as good.

What do you mean?

Senior Finance Professionals get hot and sweaty after a 3 hour train ride in 80°, don’t they?

If you (and maybe also TwoLeftSocksWithHoles) follow the quote history, you can see she was answering two separate questions from another poster.

I'm not going to try and advise op, as this has never been my world but I wish you all the best.

I work in a senior finance role, talking with other senior finance people, advisors, clients and it is all very relaxed now. Even for interview - and this is a less formal stage - lunch as I understand it. A nice day dress, skirt or trouser and top, good hair, nice jewellery (or none) and nice shoes (which are generally smart flat trainers), dress like the tribe you won't look out of place.

Too casual would be vest tops, short shorts, demin shorts, slip dresses, lace/ sheer, football shirts, lycra type sports wear, a bit too formal (given the weather and reasonable relaxed nature) would be suits, structured dresses, unless you have the interest and air to carry off - I am retro and wear lovely 1950s/1960s etc type vintage suits etc - which some people do!

But as long as you look clean, are friendly, smart and interested - any reasonable outfit will likely pass - which I would say covers everything linked to. Good luck.

Ok, @Floisme. I’ve read the updates, and it’s because the train ticket has been booked and paid for by the company.
It’s got nothing to do with her role, per se, senior, or not.

I didn't mean you should read all the updates, @ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews . I meant that, if you click on 'Show quote history' in the op's post at 20:16 yesterday, it's clear that she's linked the two things because she was responding to two different questions from another poster.
And now I am off, best of luck op,

Smart black peg trousers, flat smart shoes / patent pumps and a long sleeved shirt tucked in.

take it with you and change on the train

You can look at the edit history. The only changes made were punctuation and correcting a typo.

I did mention arms in the original post.

Thanks. Yes I think I definitely need a jacket.

LMAO. Read the post I was replying to.

I would go for a good quality midi dress or ankle length trousers, a decent top and carry a blazer. Flats with either.

The knee length dresses posted look really old fashioned now. Workwear is a lot more casual than it used to be.

I wouldn’t be faffing around changing. It is only three hours. Many London commuters will be travelling 1-1:30 each way daily. I used to travel on short haul flights for work meetings quite often and certainly didn’t bother with a second outfit (just some spare knickers in case my flight home was cancelled).

good luck!

I know right? It’s a senior role but it’s not like it’s for CFO. I am the only candidate for stage 4.

I thought it was just me! Straight jacket or hospital gown.

I’d start with shoes if it’s going to be a long day, you want to be comfortable.
Taking in to consideration the boobs and waist requests, I’d go separates, it’ll give you more options.
If you want to take a jacket, I think it needs to be a trouser suit, trousers give you more shoe options too.
I’d wear the suit with this top from Uniqlo, it’s a great smart casual. Comes in navy, cream and brown too, looks more expensive than it is.

Agree with all of this.

River Island do some great wide leg smart trousers, with pockets in an array of colours. Stretchy panel at the back of the waistband so very comfy for all day wear. I just picked up a(nother) dark-ish blue pair in the sale for £25 yesterday.

I have the uniclo satin t-shirt in 3 colours. It's really classy, a nice soft sheen.