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?

Yes, for some reason I didn't see the last line of her original post.

Once I realised she had actually said this, I added another suggestion, c/w sleeves.

Smashing!

I ordered these trousers in navy yesterday and when I went online they had been reduced from £40 to £30 and I had a £5 Sparks offer off £30 so they were £25. They came today and I am so pleased with them, size 12 short/petite leg fit me perfectly and they are more Autumn weight than Summer. Glad I read this thread, thanks. What a bargain for £25.

Lime everyone else I love the marks blouse / top in white ( not pink) def wouldn’t wear on the train tho as if one tiny drop of coffee or something else got on it…im clumsy though

I’ve got some really comfortable dresses from KAFFE , well made not expensive and have sleeves

Thanks all. I have ordered quite a few things to try on based on your suggestions. Hopefully one of them will work.

It has been good to hear all your perspectives as not many people irl life know so not been able to chat through options.

Agree with @Wingwalk

It wouldn’t fly at my place of work and whilst I’m sure it would be fine at others I’d err on side of caution and always have a blazer of some sort for an interview.

I worked remotely for 5 years with a company that asked to come in once a month just so people would know me. It was a 3 hour train journey with a change on the tube. Formal business attire too. I always wore jersey dresses as they don’t wrinkle. I would do my makeup though in the last leg to look a bit fresher on arrival.

Have a look at their LinkedIn profile and see if they have posted any photos of recent events. They can often be useful for assessing what the normal dress code looks like for them.

I think thats perfect. Its a senior role and you will be interviewed by more senior staff probably an older age demographic. Suits dresses and blazers very much worn in law and finance in london for meeting.

@Silverbirchleaf I think you may have just cost me £79. I really, really like this dress for summer days when it's too hot for a trouser suit, which is my staple.

Thank you!

As someone who hates clothes shopping and always worries I'd get it wrong, this thread is fascinating. I always thought that there was a rule book I just didn't understand when it comes to clothing, but you'd all turn up to @GargoylesofBeelzebub 's interview with completely different ideas of what's appropriate.

@GargoylesofBeelzebub what would you feel comfortable in from the ideas posted so far? You'll be your best self if you feel comfortable, I would have thought?

Agreed. It has been quite fascinating to see how divided opinions are. I think the main issue is that Covid has changed what was normal. Interviews are mostly done online, workplace dress codes have become less formal so there’s less consensus on what to wear.

It’s clear that dresses divide opinion the most so I think I will go with wide leg trousers, a blouse and a blazer with flats. Trousers will be most comfortable on the train. I’ll wear a vest in the train and pop the blouse on at some point before I get to the office.

I have however ordered the dress I posted as I feel most comfortable in dresses, I’m not really a trouser person and as someone said it’s best to wear what makes you feel most comfortable. I suspect I’ll be sending it back though.

I've no opinion on clothing etc I'm afraid, but in my experience bringing the shoes/dress etc to change into is just a whole extra layer of stress and stuff and wearing something you're comfortable enough to travel in is far more likely to result in you being comfortable in the meeting too.

For what it’s worth I had my interview today. I was glad I had a jacket and was equally glad I ditched any notion of wearing heels. I think you should still be pitching up a notch for an interview situation. My panel were smart but not in suits but it was me that was interviewing not them. I was not out of place going more formal.

I like this dress.
www.hobbs.com/product/rae-sleeved-dress/0225-5015-9322L00-BLACK.html#cgid=workwear-clothing-dresses&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0225-5015-9322L00-BLACK&pos=2

I swear by Reiss Eden trousers which look smart / tailored but have an elastic waist and don’t crease. The wide leg means you can dress them up or down.

I’m wearing the navy today with a white fitted t-shirt and trainers but you could dress them up with a shirt, cardigan or jacket.

https://www.reiss.com/style/su498183/ak0897

This would be perfect for a smart / casual look:

https://www.reiss.com/style/su892616/v22398?utm_content=search&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_search_type=brand&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23524811655&gbraid=0AAAAADy9EnrpYjHHl30TUFQ0OXyKHIyge&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg5zTBhCLARIsAP2AFU5EockNL74DDmhUkV1vMjze3Xf7NqWfFBpzdm2O6M7C3APy2sN85eQaAiCfEALw_wcB

I like that blouse a lot - I love pussy bows! Although for some reason as the OP said she had big boobs, I assumed she'd prefer lower necklines. But she didn't actually say that. I also liked this COS look, which isn't too dissimilar.

(Though I'm tired of the "carrying your giant handbag in one hand" look ...!)

Good luck for the interview/team meet when it comes, @GargoylesofBeelzebub !!

Agreed.

Have a look at their website to see what their dress code looks like and dress at the smarter end of that. Recently I’m a big fan of OGL for work wear - everything has an element of stretch so doesn’t crease, looks smart but is super comfy to wear while travelling

Uniqlo have nice dresses

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcRAhau4izWSbKhnTcqYopQYGfYTjewZadYbbAaRqYvE6_h9ofTW7BPI9dVLvPTNu1xaO-IX99CgqiMwFmifOdWSoHdPpeJUIf9IZOgqHtAbT5HW6LqVUCtpLQ