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’d dress in non crumple type fabrics - blouses in that slippy type that you can scrunch up and release without creases. M&S do great stretchy trousers that hang well. Id also avoid anything cotton or linen. Also a thin loose zip up or a massive thin scarf to cover it all up while you travel that you can roll up into a tote.

Agree, I have just bought the same trousers in navy after trying on. They feel much more expensive. (Although hardly any linen just a slight texture). With leather flats and one of the tops suggested you will be sorted, don't forget accessories. You could get the cream blazer that goes with the cream version.

Something like this https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/belted-cotton-blend-shirt-dress-3616536748629.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_subchannel=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidshopping&utm_campaign=high_volume&utm_term=pmax&utm_content=crid_campaign21646317817_adgroup_tid_pid3616536748629&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=21642613574&gbraid=0AAAAADnESOxxxjbuERrLsZ6bS3JjBL4Xg&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6ceA9vvtlQMV55NQBh3NTizWEAQYASABEgJu6vD_BwE

Polished and practical. Very chic with flats and a top handle bag

The first is crepe, but the second one is voile, & described as floaty - it's also tiered, which I think makes it a bit more casual. Both nice dresses though, & I think fine if worn with a jacket of some kind & smart heels/flats. Not the white/cream court shoes shown, though!!

However, the ones I like best so far are the shirt dresses, either the navy cotton ones or the red one you posted. It's a lovely dress & would be cool & comfortable & smart. The jersey or ponte options I would avoid - too heavy/clingy.

Based on other posts I've seen on here which has allegedly been the deciding factor on whether or not to offer employment, if you're taken to a coffee shop pay for your own coffee, and if you're offered a drink in the office remember to wash your own cup. 😉

@NotMeNoNo my second pair are incoming, I can’t believe the quality for the price. I’ve also ordered the waistcoat, not sure I like the ties, but I do have sewing skills so will think about whether I can alter it.

I’m wear the trousers with Lewin shirts with cuffs and add (carry) a jacket. Hoping that the waistcoat option lets me get away without needing a jacket.

I wouldn’t choose the RL dress for a long train journey, there’s a lot of fabric involved in it/to sit on.

This dress it lovely, perfect for the meeting.

This is a final-stage interview, not just a business meeting, so I think a more formal approach is appropriate.
There are definitely better options. For a senior finance role in a non-creative industry, a man would almost certainly be expected to wear a suit and tie at this stage. I think the female equivalent is the same level of formality.. for example, a dress with a tailored jacket or blazer. It doesn't need to be worn for long, even just for the initial greeting and introductions would create the right impression. A short-sleeved linen blazer would work well if you're concerned about comfort or the weather.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-short-sleeve-linen-blazer-bitter-chocolate-u0462brn?variant=43006232756433&irclickid=!FN0BACmDpq_ErxHwugwnSjH3uB2EJEhOiEQR8bgFFdcUXMSwBFaJjs-FiGW1OsSCSWaDExDHgy_J3wAARWC2FQ&tc_ch=affs&tc_ve=iruk&tc_so=RedBrain%20Ltd&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=na&tc_au=na&tc_cr=3131871&tc_campid=na&tc_adgroupid=na&tc_kwid=na&tc_matchid=na&im_rewards=&irgwc=1&impqs=AAAADPQq4Tpm33byvIrSxgdtiamuMJBt44WeAhRAPNwakQVvckwKqDI--Vf5GHvLyRZNEJkbzXNR5I3NC2Av0lY3JTYsffd2A_-AE5g4ZZ_pjiaZ_Mn853VfwjdMqnvdhSKAbC3y4Im_SsfAACNT_ogEkFNgDyH8WyPG-nCTofsS3qVEo5m7txhmtUvmZmCGPiJ24OrgoRJ12nMzp99XgJa6Q5K3&im_program=18790&im_ad=3131871&im_partner=1249479&afsrc=1

https://www.johnlewis.com/mint-velvet-linen-double-breasted-blazer-natural/p115149403?size=XS&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20151164127&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1yskyhc7g0dXhnfR1bshsc5Q&gclid=CjwKCAjwvZHTBhAlEiwA1ug5P0AHnpZJqu0APGwhMzX2aqk_J4uDCpUnkeF9dcEottgPknelI-1Q5xoCE4gQAvD_BwE

I would email them and ask them to confirm the dress code for lunch/the office.

You don’t want to be in a fancy Hobbs dress and everyone is in linen trousers and T-shirts!

One bit of advice, order a travel fan with a misting spray. If the aircon is not working (as with most trains in the last two weeks) I’ve been on its going to be sweaty!

Guess I've been lucky but I'm careful if eating messy food (have wet wipes too), take a little fan with ne to keep cool, wear a thin jacket to take off. Xx

Are those trousers from the Autograph range or not? It's not in the title, & the price is lower than Autograph pieces - but the description states that they are, which is a bit odd?

What part of "I hate my arms so would need sleeves" are you having trouble with?

Do you want full-length sleeves, OP - or are short or elbow-length ok?

What's your colouring, size & height? What kind of colours do you like/suit wearing, & would you prefer a dress, or a top with skirt/trousers? Any particular budget in mind? And do you already have a bag/footwear that you'd like to form part of your outfit?

She missed that bit in the original post. It's easily done. Why be rude/patronising?

for me the temperature would be a big concern - no one wants to turn up hot and flustered and a blazer would be sweltering atm.

id keep it simple with a black dress or trousers/top and an accessory or two to add interest.

The sentence about her arms wasn't in the original post.

The OP added the comment about her arms to her post after I had already replied with a suggestion which was a sleeveless dress.

Had I seen it before posting, I would have suggested something with sleeves, which I did do later in the thread.

Depends exactly where & when it is - the weather is due to change, & might have done so before her meeting next week.

Plus she says they're all travelling to a central location in the country for the meet-up, so I'm assuming maybe Manchester or Leeds - or (if it's central to the mainland rather than England ) maybe even Newcastle.

I do think having some sort of jacket upon entering the room, for first impressions, as a PP said, is best. But she doesn't need to wear it on the journey, or once she sits down (which is why I would pay close attention to the top, or the top part of the dress, that I was wearing under the jacket).

I quite like the idea of a short-sleeved jacket - smart but slightly less formal/more summery.

I'm not that much of a brown fan personally (partly due to overexposure - ditto pale yellow, pale blue, polka dots, shirred bodices, toe-post sandals ...!!!), but if it's a colour the OP likes, it would look good with cream wide-legged trousers, maybe in a light fine wool-blend fabric. However, I would feel a bit wary about getting them marked en route, so would consider wearing it with something like one of these skirts (New Look/Anthropologie/Next) & pointed kitten heels or flats. And a cream V-neck with short sleeves, of a kind that's not too sheer/fine (bra visibility) or dull - so good fabric/cut would be key.

I’m board level working in the corporate world. Many of the dresses posted here would look very dated. I’ve been job hunting myself recently so have been in and out of a few offices and have been looking at dress codes (trying to hit the right note). I wore wide legged trousers with a smart, cotton shirt / blouse and a complementary jacket. So not a suit but formal enough. I took my jacket off pretty quickly on each occasion after making a suitable “I want to be taken as a professional” impression because people don’t tend to wear jackets inside any more and the weather is warm, even in aircon (but at least I had flexibility for all temperatures!). I also ensured I had well-considered accessories. Good jewellery, a nice belt and interesting flat shoes (not trainers for an interview). No one is wearing heals at the office.

Day to day this summer, I’m wearing a lot of linen mix suiting such as trousers and interesting tops you can find in M&S or even mango. Not helpful with your train travel though, I appreciate.

I think a couple of those navy cotton shirt dresses some previous posters could also work, given the weather - again with the right accessories.

A PP suggested popping into a posh hotel’s loo to change, rather than the train / station. I second this. I do it all the time!

Good luck with your interview. I hope you smash it!

I like how you’ve styled it.
I think brown will be around for a while and it’s quite versatile, but yes a black or navy would be more traditional and also very versatile.

Its an odd blouse. It is still cheap for what it is it is but the belt is completely wrong. It is too thin. If it was replaced with a wider belt made with stiff fabric, it would look so much better. The length of the top makes the model look wide but this would obviously be dependent on your height.

I travel to interview type meetings a lot.

I wear trousers (I like to travel in the stretchy halara ones) a floaty short sleeved blouse that doesn’t crease, cardigan and trainers. I keep small heeled boots in my bag along with a blazer strategically folded and switch in the uber.

I know you said about your arms but a jacket is better over long sleeves if you are like me and get a bit sweaty when traveling. A quick wet wipe and deodorant makes me feel way more confident.

Not a cats in hells chance would I be changing in the train toilets or toilets at the station.

I work in a senior role in professional services and frequently have to travel and then go straight to client meetings. My main rule is avoid linen and silk tops as they can just crease too much.

I’d go for either a shirt dress or trousers with a lightweight short sleeved blouse in a pretty print. I always carry a blazer with me, don’t always wear it but occasionally the train is super cold with AC or an office is, so always useful to have.