To a training or course day, wear above all clothes that stay comfortable and suit the organisation. Choose trousers with some stretch and combine them with a polo or fine-knit top that hardly creases. Bring a cardigan as an extra layer for a room that is too cold or too warm. Because you sit a lot and sometimes move around, comfort and freedom of movement are important. Choose calm colours, shoes you can walk in and a bag that holds your laptop and notes. Below you can read how to approach it, with examples for women and men.
A long course day
With the new year, many courses, workshops and trainings start again. A leadership training, a professional course, a study day with the whole team. These are days when you usually are not at your own workplace, with people you do not know yet, in a room whose temperature you do not control. You want to make a good impression, but above all you want to keep your mind on the content. Clothes that pinch, itch or make you too warm are distracting. In January there is an extra difficulty. You come in from the cold, your coat comes off and the heating is often high.
The five basic rules
- Smart casual is often a useful starting point. Unless the invitation says otherwise, polished office clothes without a suit or blazer are fine.
- Comfort when sitting for long. Choose trousers with a little stretch and a waist that does not pinch after lunch.
- Layers for the room. A cardigan or thin knit that you can easily take off solves both cold and warmth.
- Low-crease fabrics. After a day of sitting you should still look neat, especially if drinks follow.
- Calm colours. They are safe with new people and keep attention on what you say.
For women
Plain trousers with a soft drape are the base. The Daphni in black is made of 95% polyester and 5% elastane, and the elastane gives some room when you sit for hours. Wear a blouse with it, such as the Delphine in white. It contains 35% bamboo, 30% microfibre, 30% polyester and 5% elastane, a blend that feels soft. White under a lighter cardigan looks fresh and polished, especially in the winter months.
The layer for the cold morning or the too-cold room is a cardigan. The Veronique in light blue is made of 100% lyocell and fits over the blouse. Lyocell feels cool and soft. That is pleasant when the heating suddenly goes higher than expected. You will find more blouses and tops in the blouses for women collection.
For men
A polo with trousers is a practical middle way between a shirt and a sweater. The Edmund in dark anthracite melange is made of 100% lyocell and is polished enough for a business environment. You will find more options in the polos for men. If you have a second day, take the Alistair in navy: 80.5% viscose and 19.5% polyamide, in a colour that combines with many trousers.
As trousers, the Harrison in beige fits. Besides polyester and viscose it also contains wool, lyocell and 4% elastane, so it sits flexibly. If you choose a darker variant, anthracite or navy trousers work just as well. Leather sneakers or loafers finish it off. You will find more ideas for the working day in the Office for Men collection.
Outfits per type of training
| Type | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Internal team day | Trousers, knitted top, cardigan | Chinos or trousers, polo |
| External training with other organisations | Trousers, blouse, loafers | Trousers, polo or shirt without a tie |
| Leadership training | Trousers, blouse, cardigan or blazer | Trousers, shirt, blazer in the bag |
| Practical workshop | Comfortable trousers, knit, flat shoes | Chinos, polo, sneakers |
What do you take with you?
- A bag that holds your laptop, charger, notebook and a bottle of water.
- An extra layer, even if you think you will not need it.
- A small care kit: deodorant, lip balm and a comb or brush for after lunch.
- For a training of several days: a second top layer, so you do not turn up in the same on day two.
Group assignments and role plays
At many trainings you regularly get up, write on a flip chart or do a role play. Choose clothes in which you move freely: no tight sleeves, no skirt that is too short and no shoes you cannot stand in. Trousers with enough room to move and a top that does not pull are practical then. If you have to give a presentation, choose a colour you feel confident in and that is clearly visible in a large room.
Networking during the break
A course day is also a chance to meet new people. A polished outfit is enough for that. Navy, grey, white and black are calm choices. A detail that stands out is fine, but keep it to one: a beautiful watch strap, a scarf or a striking belt. Make sure your shoes are clean too, because on days with a lot of walking between rooms you see them more often than you think.
Clothes you had better leave
Not every outfit is suitable for a long day. Leave clothes at home that itch, fit tightly or crease quickly, such as a stiff fabric or a blouse that is too tight. Also avoid very new shoes. New shoes can become uncomfortable during a long day. Wear your clothes at home once beforehand, sit down and walk around a bit. If everything stays comfortable, the outfit is suitable for the day.
Shop the look
Daphni: trousers, black
Delphine: blouse, white
Veronique: cardigan, light blue
Edmund: polo, dark anthracite melange
Alistair: polo, navy
Harrison: trousers, beige
Frequently asked questions
Is a suit needed on a training day?
Usually not. Smart casual is enough, unless the invitation names a different dress code. A blazer in your bag is a safe middle solution.
Can I wear jeans to a course?
That depends on the organisation. At an internal training often yes, at an external course with other companies you had better choose trousers.
How do I deal with a room that is too cold or too warm?
Wear layers: a cardigan or thin knit that you can easily take off. This way you adapt without having to leave the room.
