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?

It was in the original post. You can see the edit history you know.

You should aim to be the smartest person in the room, but not overly so.
Since it's corporate finance I'd go with a knee length dress, in one or two colours, flat shoes and straight hair.
In the industry I work in I can usually get away with something more casual like a floral dress.

a) she hates her arms and wants sleeves
b) she has big boobs

That dress is a not suitable for either of the above!

@EleanorMc67 no, not Autograph. The description is wrong.

I have big boobs and have recently found this combination of Uniqlo boxy shirt (linen mix, does not crumple) and plain cos skirt (they have lots of lovely cotton skirts) worked well. You could add a jacket for smartness.

Or a plain navy Cos dress. The top is cotton and the skirt is a cotton mix.

You’ve not been offered the job yet. This is still part of the interview process, surely.

Plisse trousers or plisse dress - don’t crease, flattering fabric and nice and cool

Did you also miss the part where I say I have prior commitments?

As someone that works in a very similar industry, I’d say this is absolutely perfect and Reiss are usually nicely lined so should stay comfortable and smart enough - Reiss and LK Bennett are my go-tos if I need to hop off a plane and straight into meetings.

I think this dress you’ve linked will look fine with flat shoes too and wouldn’t need a jacket. If you think you’ll be cold, I have so many little cropped-ish jacket/cardi things from Karen Millen and Jaeger that are breathable and smart without being too try-hard.

FWIW, I find a black/white houndstooth pattern for a smart cardi works really well for being smart but still comfortable. Best of luck for the meeting!

No not too formal but probably not the best choice for a large bust.

That looks great to me, very appropriate for the occasion. I would wear it with a lace jacket to make it more "officey".
The pink Hobbs, jersey dress just looks dowdy. I can't imagine a job offer resulting from that.

Christ, OP, I hope you’re not this rude to your future employers.

What @HeatwaveHotelsaid. I did this a few months ago

I was thinking that myself ...

OP, as you haven't said what your budget, preferred colours, type of clothing etc etc might be, my only other suggestion right now is to look at Me+Em (I presume it won't be that prohibitive if you were considering Reiss). I don't know if their clothes will suit you - they tend to be cut for tall women - but at least they may give some ideas on the styling front. IMO they put together things well in terms of professional-looking, smart outfits with a bit of an edge.

Completely agree. It doesn't matter if the team is all in casual dress - this is an interview & I would expect someone to look smart. But I wouldn't consider shift dresses or suits contemporary-looking, & they also look overly formal these days as well as rather dated.

Midi-length well-cut shirt-dresses are fairly foolproof, & you have less to think about in terms of mixing & matching. If you do want to go for separates though, as you have limited time I would (on this occasion) probably get them from the same brand (ie Boden, Reiss, Me+Em etc), as they're more likely to go well together.

There were a couple more short-sleeved jackets on the Boden site that I quite liked too.

Styled a bit more smartly than in the photos (ie with long wide trousers, or a plain or striped gathered skirt (not dots IMO as they're somehow more frivolous-looking?!), they'd also work well.

Boden also has some shirtdresses that look rather nice. I do like wearing navy & black - but for a job interview I would want to be memorable. Obviously for my experience & personality first & foremost! But I would probably choose a green or red or striped option over black/brown/navy - that, or I would ensure my accessories were more noticeable (in a not-overly flashy or bright way).

https://www.boden.com/products/women-sarah-cotton-midi-shirt-dress-rich-chestnut-d1747brn

OP said she needs sleeves (hates her arms) and has large breasts.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-grown-on-sleeve-midi-dress-black-d1753blk

This is also nice, especially the green.

Why straight hair? What about people with natural curly hair? Afro hair? I don’t work in this industry, so I am interested.

Or this, worn more formally (although it looks a bit short in some other pictures). I like the red - smart but eyecatching too, in a good way!

https://www.boden.com/products/women-alexa-cotton-midi-shirt-dress-blood-orange-d1511rus

I mean obviously depends on the hair, I am not advocating for straightening tight curls. I have long wavy hair which tends to get a right mess after a few hours on a train, so it has to be styled one way or another. I go with straight for interviews, its easier to manage over many hours and I always think it makes me look more serious than beachy waves. If I wore it up, I'd go for a mid ponytail, not too high and not too low. Its all about looking just a bit smarter than your usual work day-to-day look.
Hair dependent, obviously.

Huh? Where have I been rude?!?!