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!

OP I’m sorry you have joined such a dense team that have clearly no clue how off putting this is for the new woman in the team. The opposite of inclusive.

A trip to decathlon will sort you out. 1 fleece 1 pair outdoors shoes/ boots. A waterproof. Non flappy trousers. Long sleeve tops. Baseball cap.

plus demand to know what the activities will be. It’s fair to say you literally have no outdoorsy clothes so you need to know what to buy. Are there any women at all who are part of the planning that you can talk to?

Crampons and a flare gun

A note of caution.

A friend of mine took steps to avoid a work "outward bound" type weekend as she was the non out-doorsy type and not very fit. The manager who arranged it made no enquiry if any of the participants had special needs or were an older demographic. He also took out the wrong insurance. An older lady fell and was injured and had to be helecoptered out The husband sued for personal injury and the company also had to pay for the medivac. Not a good day for anyone. My friend was glad she took a sickie.

When a company organises an "outward bound" or adventure-style team-building event, they have strict legal and operational obligations to ensure employee safety. The organiser or the external adventure hosting company must document all potential hazards of the specific activities (e.g., hiking, climbing, water sports) and outline how those risks will be mitigated. Participants should have been given confidential medical questionnaires to disclose pre-existing conditions, mobility issues, or age-related physical limitations. Standard corporate insurance rarely covers high-risk outdoor activities. The manager needed in the above example a specific policy covering adventure sports, personal injury, and emergency medical evacuation (medivac). In terms of risk assessment a formal review of the activities against the physical capabilities of the specific group attending, including mitigation plans for hazards needs to be carried out.

Absolutely agree. "just buy something from Mountain Warehouse" doesn't really cover this.

And an employer should be very careful that compulsory outdoors activities isn't discriminatory.

When the uni I worked for organised any off campus activity - especially those where we stayed away - all participants were sent a questionnaire where they could detail any special needs, restrictions or dietary requirements. I went on one where the facilitator asked me to do things which I refused (like sitting on the floor and rushing about the building) and was a bit snotty when I mentioned the Equality Act (it was still called the Disability Discrimination Act back then). She admitted that she had not read the information that the uni had gathered. Tried to say no information was provided. But it seems to me common sense if you are organising activities for a group. I made a formal complaint when the weekend was over and there was a big stink about it.

Bring your own mosquito repellent and anaesthetic cream for any bites you might get. And antihistamine. Keep it all in your backpack so it’s with you.

If you get new walking boots - try and wear them in for a bit . Even if at home . Take plasters / blister plasters with you .
If you are wearing thick socks , try the boots on with those .

If you know the name of the place you are going to, could you call and ask them re activities/clothing?

I would over prepare, buy various different stuff, leave the labels on, pack a big case and see when you get there, then return what you don't use

This looks great and would cover lots of activities

Trail shoes are the way, not walking boots, if that's not your vibe you don't want to turn up feeling like Steve Irwin. Get your footwear sorted, and your jacket, warmth and waterproofing, then all you need is your leggings and a fleece. M and S have Good Move sportswear, if that's reachable, there will be something in there.

Sounds like the rest of the team won't be judging you on what you wear, you just need to be comfortable. Hope it goes well.

Just take clothes you might wear on a rainy windy day for a walk across muddy fields. (Sounds horrific)

Ok I really identify with this as I’m also someone who doesn’t really do that sort of clothing!

I don’t think you need to cos play as an outdoor pursuits enthusiast. I’d want to be somewhat smart.

On the assumption you want to avoid buying lots of stuff:

In this situation, I’d wear the wide leg trousers or maybe even work black trousers if you have a relaxed-ish pair.

Wear boots (but not suede). If you’re going to buy one thing, I reckon go for some flat ankle boots, which will be useful in the city if we have a wet winter anyway.

Do take activewear including, yes, leggings in case there is a really outdoorsy activity and it’s wet. Have you got any jumper dresses you could put over leggings if you feel self conscious?

Normal jumper or cardigan and tops eg do you have any plain jersey tops, Breton tops, relaxed shirts or similar?

Baseball cap in case it rains if you don’t have a hooded jacket.

If forecast is really wet, take the nearest you have to a waterproof jacket. Do you know anyone who can lend you one? If not I reckon you could Amazon prime a plain navy waterproof in case it’s really wet.

Honestly, I wouldn’t hesitate to be really confident and go back to whoever sent the email saying you wouldn’t dress for the ritz.

Give them a little token laugh for that, and then ask them specifically what the activities are you are doing.

Emphasise the fact that you are not normally an outdoorsy person, so you’ll be buying a few things in, and get them to Breakdown exactly what they mean. Be assertive, honestly I hate wafty dress codes.

I agree. In the absence of clear information about the planned activities and no risk assessment of whether attendees are capable of doing them, I think that's perfectly reasonable.

It's ridiculous to expect attendees to buy one off specialist wear.

It’s perfectly reasonable to ask for more info on dress code. It might also be worth looking on the venue’s website, LinkedIn or social media for photos of what has been worn at other events.

I used to attend a day long corporate event in the country. We did things like go karting, clay shooting, angling, etc. I used to wear jeans or walking trousers, layered tops, a gilet and trainers or walking boots. Leggings would be fine. It was great fun - my favourite corporate event of the many I have been to over the years.

I predict an outbreak of Rab among the men.

Poor you. I would be in the same position and I cannot think of anything I would less like to do.

Light waterproof jacket, hoodie, leggings and ankle wellies with walking socks all of which you can get in m&s or next

Hope it's going ok. Just a tip, if anyone makes a snidey comment about your gear, ask them what they would recommend for next time. Outdoors types love shopping for kit more than the actual outdoors IME.

Oh I was going to suggest gin and chocolate - but what a pp said 'Light waterproof jacket, hoodie, leggings and ankle wellies with walking socks all of which you can get in m&s or next'. If you want to look like a total outdoor pro then go for the Patagonia brand instead. I'd also add more snacks to the gin and chocolate.

I would be questioning the need to spend my own money on special clothing for a work related activity if said clothing was unlikely to be of use to me going forward.

I'd ask them what the activities are likely to be, and be honest that you are not outdoorsy yourself. I'd certainly want to know how active I was going to be though I would not be doing anything like an assault course or sport these days in a work context now I'm in my 50s even though I am active and fit outside work. Chilling in casual clothes and a walk - fine. I'd also want to know if there is going to be a dinner or anything to wear slightly smarter clothes for.

I'd be wearing jeans in the evening unless there was going to be a special formal dinner.

Pack normal walking shoes and jeans and jumpers for indoors.
Protective sun hat, rain jacket and gumboots to wear on damp or ferny ground. Thick socks and thin socks, layers, puffer vest, dark jodhpurs. Tinted sunscreen and lip balm. Hair ties. Bathroom gear.
Expect no phone coverage.
A back pack and water bottle might be good if walking on a day time picnic.

How did it go?

I’m so invested in how this went 😀