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!

She's size 12

I'd pack leggings, walking trainers, layers, fleece and a waterproof coat. You need an outdoors shop!

What is the weather going to be like OP? I spend a lot of time in a rural setting for work, I’d go for leggings and a sturdy ankle boot and wool socks (or trail running shoes), paired with a shirt, and maybe a wool jumper over the top. I have a couple of flannel type plaid shirts that work well. Or a fleece over a ‘outdoors’ t-shirt. Take normal casual clothes for the evening (jeans etc.). I’ve also got ankle wellies (muddy boots) for anything muddy. A waterproof jacket if rain is likely (or showerproof if not likely to be heavy). I sympathise, it’s taken me years, to feel like I’ve got it quite right. I reckon the men will be in chinos, shirts, jumpers or gilet, sturdy ankle boots (if anything like my workplace). The men won’t care what you’re wearing, and if there are other friendly women, front it out and joke about emergency purchases.

Fellow city-dweller here who can’t think of anything worse. I’d probably end up wearing barrel leg jeans and trainers and/or slim/skinny black trousers tucked into knee high boots.

Oh jeez that'll teach me to not read properly

You would be like Mrs Thatcher at Balmoral in The Crown!

Oh god, I totally would wouldn’t I?

Thank you all, I’m probably being a bit silly. I know how to dress for a smart casual offsite and I know how to dress for an outdoorsy trip (in theory ;)) but it’s the combination of the two that’s really throwing me off- like should I have a blazer? I’m a size 12 but because I’m so short look quite big and to top it all off I’m ridiculously unathletic so I’m worried about looking silly anyways. I’ve got a big gym hoody I can take, I’ll take maybe one white button down that can be layered under a jumper if the sessions are mainly indoors. I might have to buy a waterproof as i usually wear my wool coat in autumn before breaking out the long puffer in the winter. I’ll look into maybe buying some waterproof boots, it’s bloody annoying as I won’t actually use them day to day

And I have a black and a navy pair of sweaty Betty power leggings, I’ll take those for layering or muddy walks

And a white and a navy long sleeved t shirt. Sorry for all who asked it’s 2 nights and 2 days.

Posh dog walker basically.

It’s a tough one as it really could be anything from canoeing to hiking to horse riding (we had all three on a recent corporate weekend). Then to complicate things we had a business casual dress workshop in a conference room and a dinner which was on the dressier side (I went with a Boden midi dress for that). Overpack, and cover all eventualities! Oh and a swim suit in case there is a spa / pool component.

You need some kind of walking trousers, some robust trainers or walking boots, a puffer jacket of fleece and some layers

I don’t think the outdoorsy activities will be taking place at the same time as the bits where you’d need to be professional- ie you’ll probably go for a walk (and can wear your leggings) and then have an opportunity to change (wide leg trousers etc). Nobody will be kayaking in a blazer.

Same here. I could manage it as long as the outdoor activities are nothing more than walking without the need for specialised gear beyond sturdy, comfortable boots and a waterproof coat.

And if it's anything more than that, I simply wouldn't do it. If it is anything more than that it's extremely bad staff management to assume that everyone attending will or can join in forced physical activities (ok I would do clay pigeon or target shooting but assault course/obstacle course, forget it)

I'd wear a Toast mid calf length waxed raincoat and comfortable, flat, thick rubber soled boots, thick tights. I don't own trousers and I wouldn't buy them just for this so any dress or skirt shorter than the coat, layered with jumper or cardigan.

If you work in the City of London, there is a Snow and Rock right by London Bridge?

I think you need to spend a bit of money to get some decent kit, but it will pay off if you do so.

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

The sweaty Betty coat is fine
The wide leg trackies are good for down time.
Leggings are good for activities just wear a long t shirt

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 think you ae over thinking it.
Surely you can ask for a bit more detail about the trip.

Feeling your pain,
You've had loads of good advice. Re. Outdoor trousers, I would try them in in person, amazing how flattering some styles can be, while others are extremely unforgiving.
Prepare for a smart dinner as well as the mud...

Imagine you are starring on the traitors. Outdoorsy but with a touch of class. I would pack a blazer but expect not to use it. You could have some plaid lose shirts to wear over a tee or nice top. Jeans better than leggings around cleagues. Definitely a smart casual dress for evenings. Decent wellies (barbour / hunter).

Sweaty betty / lulelemon and snow and rock type shops - some technical trousers you can walk / move in and some decent leggings - yoga pants - a couple of trcnical t shirts and a nice jumper / fleece thing and some decent walking trainers or trail running shoes as they are softer than boots
decent socks and then some smart
cashal clothes for dinner / meetings - good jeans silk shirt etc

I think she needs more details about what is involved. A PP mentioned canoeing, hiking and horse riding.

I haven't been on a horse since I was a teenager and I didn't like it. I might at a push go on a small, very docile pony.

Hiking and canoeing, no I simply would refuse. I'm not going to buy special gear for activities I have no interest in doing and depending on the level may well not even be capable of.

Trail runners look at Hoka / Salmon?/ Nike a good range too or passenger but they might not arrive in time - finistere also a good brand for outdoor clothes and they might deliver in 24 hours

This sort of thing, with a thin waterproof jacket.

I can completely understand what you mean. Are you happy to spend a reasonable amount on stuff for this? If so I think you need:

• one decent pair of walking trainers/boots.
• walking socks for every day you will be there.
• fitted walking trousers in colours like grey, black, khaki (I would buy a pair for every day you will be there, as you don't want to wear muddy trousers a second day). Brand like North Face?
• plain, light couloured, good quality t-shirt for every day, ideally in cotton or another breathable fabric.
• a couple of nice, soft, fitted, pull over fleeces in dark colours like black, navy. (Again I like North Face).
• a good gilet. I would go for one in forest green or something probably.
• A quilted coat from somewhere like Joules - again I would go for forest green?

I'd also bring evening wear for every evening you will be there - you probably are more comfortable about what you like wearing in the evenings. I'd go for a couple of structured dresses in black, some black trousers and some slightly fancy tops/silk or satin blouses.

Then I'd also take some lounge wear in the hope I could spend some time chilling in my room!

But please keep in mind I am not a financier so I may be talking out of my arse.....

It's not just you - I, too, pack for multiple pants-shitting incidents on any over night trip...

It's never happened yet, but you can guarantee that the one tone I DON'Y pack an additional 19374822 pairs of knickers.....