What should I pack for a rural work retreat?

[Pleasenomoor]

advice desperately needed. I started a new job a week ago. They asked me to keep this week clear to travel, but I’ve just received the details, leaving Thursday morning. it’s a rural retreat to a national park and I’ve been told to bring ‘outdoorsy’ clothes.

i work in finance and wear tailoring most days. I don’t even own walking boots. Do I take my puffer coat?? Literally no idea. I’m size 12, pear shaped, 5’2”. I can possibly get to M&S or White Stuff or Next tomorrow evening. I can’t even begin to get my head around it - should I buy a fleece? Would that be silly? I asked for a dress code and the answer was ‘well, I wouldn’t dress for the Ritz’. Most of the rest of the team are older men so I’d imagine khakis or jeans and jumpers? On top of it all, I’m the only woman my age (39) and my background is in a city law firm, so I don’t want to look like a misfit!

In terms of shoes I have brown suede new balance trainers and black suede M&S ankle boots

Definitely don't wear suede near mud. What is the weather due to be like where you are going? If it is likely to be wet then jeans can get really wet and stay that way for ages. Leggings or walking trousers might be a better call. If it is going to be muddy then wellies or walking shoes (shaped like trainers but made of the same material as hiking boots just not right up your ankles) might be a good idea. Mountain warehouse are good for walking shoes. A puffer jacket is fine if you are going to get cold but something light and waterproof might be a better plan if it is warm and wet.

How long for? Jeans or other casual trousers, casual shirt, t shirts, hoody or jumper. It's warm but it would be worth taking a waterproof jacket. Do you have any weekend clothes? Also some outdoors type trainers so you can keep your suede ones clean for traveling/evening.

I mean this kind of thing, try Go outdoors , decathlon or Sports Direct they are often open late. https://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-mount-waterproof-walking-shoes-womens-187037#colcode=18703703

Riding crop. Tweed jacket. Deer stalker. Barbour knickers.

I’d take leggings, hoodie, non suede shoes and something like this jacket. www.amazon.co.uk/Columbia-Womens-Pouring-Adventure-Waterproof/dp/B0D9HYRH3P

all my trousers are wide legged and I’m worried will get wet and gross. I feel like I’m far too fat to wear skinny trousers though, it’s my first time meeting most of these people

Do you do anything outdoors? Like go for walks etc? You must have casual clothes that you wear when you are not ‘financing.’

Juts bring cloths you don’t mind getting wrecked, have you runners and layers you can bring?

If I’m working out I wear leggings but not confident wearing them in a work setting! I have wide legged trousers (the M&S wide leg jersey trousers) and wide leg trackies. My ‘outdoor’ coat (mostly used for going to the park) is a long sweaty Betty cocoon coat

I’m worried I won’t look professional enough in clothes I don’t mind getting wrecked - it’s been pitched as a corporate retreat with outdoor activities during some of the sessions

I agree with a proper waterproof outdoorsy jacket, waterproof footwear or just more gym style trainers, a zip up thin gym jacket/top to layer up and a small backpack. If you can get to a decathlon you could be all set pretty quickly and cheaply. You could wear these bits with cargo trousers or similar that you already have for work and simple t shirts. Basically not long wide trousers that will drag in mud or trip you up.

You can’t look professional with mud on you, just bring what you have and make sure you have loads of extra socks and changes of clothes. Wear what you would normally wear on walks?

You are way overthinking it.

Jesus. That would freak me out!

Outdoorsy clothes - walking boots or walking trainers. Not suede trainers or black leather ankle boots. You want something that you can wear for walking in mud. However I would be tempted to wear the suede trainers and arrive with hiking boots in a carrier bag until you can suss out the type of activity.

Comfy trousers or jeans you can move in, eg for climbing over stiles or orienteering or something. Dark straight jeans are quite good as if it’s not that physical you can pretend it was your dress-down option.

Plain neat ironed T-shirt (layers are important) under a jumper or fleece.

Look up the weather forecast where you’re going and buy/take an appropriate outdoor coat. It’s actually not that cold so I would go for a hip-length waterproof anorak rather than a full-on puffa, but depends on you and how much you feel the cold.

Take a hair bobble on your wrist in case you end up hiking around in a gale with your hair blowing in your face - or maybe just start off with your hair in a ponytail. Small jewellery - I would be tempted to wear stud earrings so I hit the line between totally outdoorsy and too under-dressed if you end up inside doing work team-building exercises.

These are just guesses but I would make sure I had walking footwear and an outdoor coat. However I wouldn’t want to be lumbered wearing hiking boots all day if you go for a quick walk and then spend the rest of the day inside or something. Is it just one day or is it overnight?

Leggings will be perfectly fine for outward bounds type activities! You'd look more conspicuous in loose trousers. Do you have a sweatshirt or hoodie? That will do for layering, you don't need to buy a fleece

A waterproof jacket would be better than a long puffer coat, and suede trainers probably won't be suitable. Could you borrow what you don't have from a friend? It seems a shame to spend a lot for one weekend.

Have you Googled the location to see what activities are offered?

For example it’s not going to be paddleboarding, is it?

Can you get to somewhere like mountain warehouse or larger sports direct? Pair of walking trousers, gortex walking boots/shoes or trainers even, waterproof jacket, if weather looks poor, waterproof trousers too. Fleece/washable jumper, t shirts …

Have a look at the Açai website, dress like that, see what sort of similar things you can get quickly from Next next day click & collect or whatever.

Take clothes to change into once inside too

I live on a farm so spend most of my time outside whatever the weather.
Currently tend to wear on top a long sleeved t shirt or shirt with a wool cardigan. I like wool as the hay and straw doesn’t stick to it. Wool repels a bit of rain and a cardigan can be unbuttoned if I get too hot.
Tend to wear skinny jeans or navy jersey M&S trousers as they’re easy to wash. Mine aren’t wide leg. They do get wet and don’t dry quick but I pop indoors and put a clean pair on. You could take a spare pair in your bag. Might be an idea to take leggings to wear if it’s wet.
You need some boots. I live in wellies the most comfortable pair I’ve had is regatta but Joules are good. They don’t last more than a few months for me but they’re comfortable to walk long distances in.
Puffa jackets are good as they’re lightweight but warm, any shower proof coat will do.
Any rucksack will do. A couple of pockets and somewhere to put the water bottle are good but we spend days sorting sheep out in the middle of nowhere with the supplies chucked in any bag we can find.

God what a nightmare

I'm an outdoorsy person and have loads of this stuff but if you don't this kind of last minute arrangement really sucks.

Go to decathlon! Get a waterproof jacket, a zipup fleece, walking trousers and some trail running shoes (I find hiking boots really clumpy and ungainly). I like their padded gilets too. You may want to consider a beanie and some decent socks (not cotton - some kind of wool mixture).

Only wear your suede shoes and jeans indoors.

It’s a corporate away week. You’re not going to roughing it Bear Grylls style!! I take it overnight accommodation is provided and you won’t be in a tent. Unless the weather is set for storms, a basic waterproof jacket will be fine. If it’s the 20-odd degrees that’s forecast for a lot of the country, then bring something you can throw on that will keep you dry. I have one from Rains that can easily be packed in a rucksack. If it’s the highlands of Scotland, then you might want something a bit more substantial with lining.

If you don’t want leggings, hareem pants are a good option, you want something tight at the ankle. Leather flat ankle boots will be fine, with a good rubber sole. I’ve got a pair from Russell and Bromley that I’ve had for years and use them for winter walks and can also wear to work. I’d avoid jeans if there is a chance of rain. Wool is good for layering.

I suspect your colleagues are all gonna turn up in Arcteryx jackets, Rab gilets and Salomon footwear.

Not to freak you out OP but best to be prepared if you want to fit in.

Just make sure none of your clothes restricts your movement eg trousers not tight.

72 pairs of pants incase you shit yourself 10 times a day. Or is it just me that ridiculously over estimates the amount of underwear needed for a trip away?

Layers are your friend. Couple of pairs of trousers, maybe a couple of leggings, you can layer these up if necessary if its cold. Some t-shirts, some warmer tops and maybe a fleece.

Waterproof jacket.

Waterproof footwear and appropriate socks

Pop along to somewhere like Go Outdoors or Mountain Warehouse or similar, they'll be able to help you out.

Avoid jeans unless for indoor socialising/meal etc after any activities.

Just seen this. What size are you? You dont need to go skin tight. Can help with retailers who offer plus size outdoor gear if needed (am a size 24 myself, very outdoorsy!)