YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Help me make a conference capsule

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Help me make a conference capsule https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:25:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Isabel on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572965 Sat, 17 Oct 2015 14:51:10 +0000 Isabel 1572965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Dee, coincidentally, I got a  catalogue today from JJill  and they had a whole bunch of ponte stuff.  The pants look awesome :  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/product.aspx?BID=693936906&item=ZN007D&h=M&sk=M&ac=search"><a href="http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/product.aspx?BID=693936906&item=ZN007D&h=M&sk=M" rel="nofollow">http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....&sk=M</a>...</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/product.aspx?BID=693936906&item=ZN006C&h=M&sk=M&ac=search"><a href="http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/product.aspx?BID=693936906&item=ZN006C&h=M&sk=M" rel="nofollow">http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....&sk=M</a>...</a> aly on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572882 Sat, 17 Oct 2015 06:05:27 +0000 aly 1572882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I had a lot of luck recently with two dresses and a suit. I wore one of the dresses with a jacket on the first evening and without the jacket for a full day. The other dress was worn twice with completely different accessories (coordinating belt, shoes and hair clip) to create two different outfits. The suit was worn for presenting. Easy and comfortable Dee on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572854 Sat, 17 Oct 2015 03:23:15 +0000 Dee 1572854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Isabel, thanks for all of the links! Both for the items, and viveienne files, which I haven't looked at in awhile. Greyscale, I've been to some conferences like that but lately it's been just slightly more professional that I have trouble deciding what from my daily wardrobe is still applicable, you know? And I totally agree that mix and match is key! And thank you to everyone who replied! I'm going to digest and make a shopping list (which I NEVER do) and probably post a lot of outfit lab photos. Greyscale on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572826 Sat, 17 Oct 2015 01:43:53 +0000 Greyscale 1572826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ At my last few conferences I noticed the women were wearing patterned sleeveless tops (what I might call a shell), probably polyester/whatever. With jeans or slacks. I'm going to keep my eyes out for something like that to add to my professional wardrobe. Most of my science conferences feel like summer vacation - Cold Spring Harbor especially. So the clothing is definitely more casual than some venues and I'm having a hard time thinking of what to add to your capsule. It's probably not useful but here's what I ended up relying on for conferences this year (all in hot climates, thus mostly sleeveless): interesting pants (my waxed black crossover jeans, fill the same niche as Diana's harem pants maybe) regular skinny jeans skirt - relaxed black denim pencil skirt sack dresses (one sleeveless, one tee) silk sleeveless button-downs crisp cotton sleeveless button-down light cotton cardigan sleeveless knit tops (lightweight sweaters I guess) a few plain tees and nicer tank tops to fill in the gaps I was particularly pleased with the cardigan I found. It layered over the silk tops in a way that looked fresh and a little edgy, somehow - I usually find cardigans to be useful but not exactly exciting. I think the key for me was finding things that combined well together in multiple combinations. Like, the silk shirts looked good with the denim skirt or the jeans - I avoided tops that only worked with one. Then I didn't have to plan out each outfit ahead of time. Isabel on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572771 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 21:26:38 +0000 Isabel 1572771@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Dee, I have started following the vivienne files' "common wardrobe".  This one is for the office - though it would be awesome for travel too. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theviviennefiles.com/2012/11/7525-common-office-wardrobe-and.html">http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....e-and.html</a> Isabel on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572746 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:45:34 +0000 Isabel 1572746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love idea of subtly patterned pants.  I always traveled with a straight pair of black, ponte pants. They are soft, comfortable and super versatile. They can go from really dressed up to sneakers and a t shirt.  Same with a ponte dress.  I like some sort of knit  or ponte blazer. Again can look dressed up or dressed more casually.  They also don't wrinkle much.  And Ponte is a tough, yet soft fabric.  You can get them from Target to Nordstrom. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.target.com/p/women-s-ponte-tailored-blazer-merona/-/A-17189678?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=17189678&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=pla_women+shopping&adgroup=blazers_sc&LID=22pgs&KID=7196b4c8-c2db-8068-fbe8-00001049e194&gclid=CNivuYXrx8gCFYYUHwodxqwL-g"><a href="http://www.target.com/p/women-s-ponte-tailored-blazer-merona/-/A-17189678?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku" rel="nofollow">http://www.target.com/p/women-.....038;ci_sku</a>...</a> I also liked a couple of soft blouse with a pattern but in one color. Something like this : <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Tops-T-shirts/Long-Sleeved-Tops/WA646/Womens-Textured-Silk-Wrap-Blouse.html"><a href="http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Tops-T-shirts/Long-Sleeved-Tops/WA646/Womens-Textured-Silk-Wrap" rel="nofollow">http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/.....-Silk-Wrap</a>...</a> Additionally, I always traveled with one short sleeve merino t shirt. It looks a bit dressier under jackets or vest yet is great casually too.  I would also recommend a vest.  I like Angie's post today with a couple of vests.  With that said, I HIGHLY recommend a "my little steamer" from Joy Mangano.  It is super easy to steam your clothes to straighten them and refresh them too.  This thing is awesome . You can even steam leather from the inside.  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.hsn.com/products/joy-mangano-supreme-steam-900w-my-little-steamer-and-ba/7615205?sz=6704&sf=HO0439&ac=&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Engine-_-Bing%20PA-_-Home-_-7615213&mr:referralID=a12361d5-7444-11e5-b82d-00505694526f"><a href="http://www.hsn.com/products/joy-mangano-supreme-steam-900w-my-little-steamer-and-ba/7615205?sz=6704&amp" rel="nofollow">http://www.hsn.com/products/jo.....4&amp</a>;...</a> Then scarves and pins/brooches. I do think that for a 5-7 day conferences, 2 pairs of pants, a skirt, a dress, blazer, one structured sweater, a vest, 3 blouses, a merino wool t shirt and some accessories and you are in great shape. Remember that you can throw a pretty blouse over the dress. If it is a longer blouse you can belt it.  merino wool t : <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.backcountry.com/ibex-od-heather-t-shirt-short-sleeve-womens?ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6bWVyaW9uIHdvb2wgdCBzaGlydDoxOjE6bWVyaW9uIHdvb2wgdCBzaGlydA&skid=IBX0332-CYHE-XL"><a href="http://www.backcountry.com/ibex-od-heather-t-shirt-short-sleeve-womens?ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6bWVyaW" rel="nofollow">http://www.backcountry.com/ibe.....dHM6bWVyaW</a>...</a> Structured sweater : <a rel="nofollow" href="http://commandress.com/business-casual-makeover-nic-zoe-smoke-mirrors-structured-cardigan-professional-sweater-blazer-cardigan-for-work-office/"><a href="http://commandress.com/business-casual-makeover-nic-zoe-smoke-mirrors-structured-cardigan-profession" rel="nofollow">http://commandress.com/busines.....profession</a>...</a> Every one of these items can be washed quickly be hand or steamed.  :  )  MovingFashionForward on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572667 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 18:01:14 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1572667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For conferences I first choose the footwear (must be super-comfortable, but must also look good), then the outfits. I recently attended a medical conference whose dress code was "Business Casual" though I was pretty sure that there would be a wide variety of dress styles worn there what with it being very hot outside (not to mention very cold inside). I decided to forget about dressing fashionably, and just go for simplicity and minimal carry-on packing. I packed one dress for each day plus one more for a banquet and another for an evening reception. They were all basic smartish fitted or at least not flappy sleeveless dresses. I love each of them despite the fact that they are not fashionable. I packed (well actually I wore on the journey) just one jacket -- a white leather one -- and one small white crochet cotton cardigan thing for a bit of arm warmth in the conference hall on occasion. WRT footwear, I packed one pair of black leather Guess Carrie shoes, one pair of Vince Camuto Vamelia Bootie in what they call "mink" but I'd call grey, one pair of the Clarks equivalent of that Vince Camuto shoe, in a pale blush nude that works for me, and a pair of silver flatform sandals just in case. I ended up not wearing the flatforms, the Vamelias and the Clarks equivalents being so comfortable, even with all the standing about and walking. Not fashionable, so not positively interesting to me, but I wasn't at that particular conference for fashion, and I was too busy meeting people and discussing ideas and thinking about the sessions etc to have time to wish I had packed anything more fashiony. You could say I erred on the side of figure flattery, whereas usually I probably err on the side of fashionableness over figure flattery. I was glad of how light my bag was on the flight after the conference. Had I not rejected my more fashionable outfits, I would have had much more stuff to lug about. I was pleasantly surprised by how good I felt in my 'uninteresting' smartish fitted/not-flappy dresses. Perhaps that could only work now that waist definition is showing signs of coming back. Not sure, but my strategy was very easy and didn't require any thinking or fiddling. Sarah P.S. Oh, I forgot! I did take one fashiony outfit as a wild card -- a Topshop pale blue suede skirt and two different tops, only one of which I wore. I wore that outfit at a casual afternoon outdoor event. unfrumped on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572628 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 15:50:04 +0000 unfrumped 1572628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here are very random points: I freeze at hotel-based conferences, so that leads me to pants. YMMV. Also the shoe thing, I find pants easier to allow more comfortable footwear. Dresses and skirts are more demanding, for me anyway. However the footwear options have become less restricted, I'd say--as Angie points out, many things are now "acceptable"--so that allows for some flats, and booties. I had a similar panic/aha situation awhile back when I realized I hadn't "kept up" a really good, business-not-too-casual capsule grounded in good jackets, and being something I felt really great in.  To some extent I could focus on  some individual outfits and not perfect capsule because I wanted at least one,  one-day-only "10" outfit in choice of pants, skirt, and able to skew S/S vs F/W. But, for a travel capsule, it can be hard for me to have jacket work with both pants and skirt and be a "10".  Shorter is better for skirts/dresses and longer is better for pants. So if you have that problem, grab one when you find it. Knits are a little easier as less severe and structured. Also cardigans, for same reason--sure may be best if longer/shorter but they seem more tolerant, maybe due to "collapsibility". Tops, I think, can be supporting players and not expensive. See also my "tops just for jackets". I save some short-sleeved dressy T-type tops that layer well that are  not my favorite fits  for "jacket off" but would not be a crisis. Also some sleeveless shells in "my" colors. Also these are easiest to find in last-minute panic mode, I think--dressy T's or  shells and shells in prints are available year-round. Pants--for these I would rely on pants that are part of my current wardrobe for sure, because they have to fit well with no surprises, and be paired with specific footwear (hems).  So I don't have too many pants that would be just part of an annual travel capsule, though I can see that for some people--packable fabric, basic black, etc. If dresses work for you, that is a great way to go because a dress + jacket looks polished but much less corporate and also you get that column of color thing which looks refined and is less troublesome than bottom +top+ jacket. I'd say that can be a lesson for pant + top also--a tonal top + bottom + contrasting jacket is a sharp look rather than suit look or tri-color look. Dee on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572589 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:14:03 +0000 Dee 1572589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sorry for not getting back to this earlier! Yesterday was a busy day for me. Laura, I have a handful of black shoes that I tend to wear to these things ranging from pointy toe flats to boots to wedges. No actual heels, because I walk a lot at them. Jenn, a subtle pattern on pants is brilliant! My major boredom is that a lot of dressy outfits seem to boil down to solid pants plus solid top. Rachy, I have one suit (jacket plus skirt plus trousers) and it is too dressy for all of my conferences. I have worn the trousers a few times. It's mostly for interviews, and not even every interview. I'm definitely in a casual field. Kkards, I do travel. I had entirely knits for years and recently have been trying to incorporate more wovens. I'm not against knits as a whole but I'm also not a huge fan of polyester, which can be limiting. Helen, I've got a good range of accessories (scarves and statement necklaces) that I feel jazz things up. And for presenting, I do wear the dressiest outfit, but a suit would still be overdoing it. It's this intermediate stage that is a problem for me! Glory, a few more dresses is my preferred solution, I think. Thanks! Diana, ah, the suit I own but never wear. But it's good to have just in case. I never thought of wearing my harem pants but that might be fun! And they do look a little dressier. I've been trying to pull from my closet too but lately I just don't feel it's been working as well, so I'm willing to invest in a few pieces just for this so I stop thinking about it so much every time I have a meeting. Smittie, thanks for the specific suggestions! And yes, at some meetings I can get away with a blazer and dark jeans, and I feel fab and appropriate. Those are my favorite days! Kiki, thank you for the specific outfits! It's good to have a comparison. Ann, I have a black Kate Spade bag for when I don't need a laptop and a burgundy tote for when I do. I feel both mix and match pretty well with my wardrobe color palette. You're right that certain toppers are fussy when carrying a bag all day though! Rambling Ann on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572046 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:24:09 +0000 Rambling Ann 1572046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What bag do you carry to meetings? Are you hauling a laptop? I'd want everything to go with the bag and the shoes. And for 5 days, I'd want there to be only 1-2 pair. After that, 1 airplane-worthy outfit.  By now, the direction is fixed as far as color and at least 1 bottom.  I do not like cardigans and jackets that are fussy when carrying a bag in these situations.  KikiG on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572036 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:15:12 +0000 KikiG 1572036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My conference wardrobe planning always begins with jackets or cardigans--I begin with the third piece.  My next conference will see me in this: Dressy Day 1:  Black dressy but utility-style jacket, dressy shell in vibrant color, jazzy long necklace, black pants, heeled wedges. Less Dressy Day 2:  Long black cardigan, dressy print shell, jazzy short necklace,  same black pants as day 1. Shoes could go either way, probably heeled wedges.  No one notices black pants, and I think it is a waste of space to pack two pair when one will suffice. Least Dressy half Day 3 and travel home day:  Black utility-style jacket (repeat) black sweatshirt-style top in dressy fabric, different jazzy necklace,  boyfriend jeans, booties.  This will probably be my travel-to outfit as well, since it involves the two bulkiest items, the utility-style jacket and the booties.  I will pack and have with me a black shawl with a bit of sparkle, in case I have to use it to prevent dying of frostbite. rachylou on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572017 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:51:24 +0000 rachylou 1572017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Diana, don't make me joke about ironing being a sufficient difference, hehe ;) I have a casual 5 piece suit aimed at life in bio med... it's tweedy but not a brown tweed. I have to admit it was the find of a lifetime and snapped it up. It makes mix and match / traveling light so much easier. Easy to wear as separates and easy to throw on the jacket without going overboard and all inappropriately Wall Street. Anonymous on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572007 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:35:36 +0000 Anonymous 1572007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What about keeping black/white/grey for tops and bottoms and doing colour on your blazers and accessories? Can you wear jeans? I think jeans+blazer is appropriate for business casual, but I'm not sure about your conferences... So maybe: 3 white/neutral drapey viscose t-shirts/tops (you could save money here) 1 grey pants (I like Jenn's idea of a subtle pattern) OR 1 dark wash denim 1 colourful blazer  1 colourful necklace 1 colourful scarf 1 colourful bag salt-sea on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1572004 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:34:10 +0000 salt-sea 1572004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I attend mostly corporate dress code conferences (dressy business casual or formal business) and have to start with the shoes. There's always so much walking and standing. If your conferences are similar, that would be my advice - start with your shoes and then let them constrain your outfits. Diana on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571972 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:29:04 +0000 Diana 1571972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't have a conference capsule per se (I just pull from my regular closet) but this is similar to what I'd pack for a more-formal (for science, LOL) conference. For a more casual one I'd swap the two trousers for more casual options like dark jeans or harem pants. (For this last one in Athens, where it was hot, I had my silly harem pants and my olive linen culottes). I'll take blazers for dressier conferences and something like a moto or a drapey jacket for more casual ones. I also usually add a skirt for some variety. I don't try to rewear things aside from toppers for conferences, usually. I like dresses best, I think. They're certainly the easiest, so if I were you I'd add another dress (or use one in your closet already for double duty). Anyway, I like them because they are easy to dress up or down as the occasion demands. I do wear them less in winter because I kinda hate wearing tights... Ladies, Dee (like me) is in research science. Barring medical conferences at which one is presenting, we can count on one hand the number of occasions we need to wear a suit, lol. (Let's see... Some job interviews (prob not strictly necessary even then) and winning a Nobel prize?). But in all seriousness it is good I think to own one suit. I almost never wear mine as a suit but as separates. What footwear are you thinking? I usually take oxfords and my sleek booties for cooler weather, or sandals and oxfords for hot weather. Lastly, as Kkards pointed out, stuff that doesn't wrinkle when packed is a good idea. I did not follow this advice for my Athens trip and packed several linen items (but I'm glad I did because it was my last chance to wear them this season...) so I was probably a little rumpled. For that conference, nobody would care, so again I think it depends on the particular event. But if you're making a dedicated capsule, better to make sure it's easy to travel with. Eta: I like to have a big scarf or two as well. Looks chic and helps a lot in cold rooms! Glory on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571948 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:50:17 +0000 Glory 1571948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you have a great list. Would a simple dress in a neutral be an option for you? You could use it with the cardis, jackets etc. Boots and shoes would both work. I was thinking perhaps something in a ponte. Also, you could add a scarf which would change the look of one of the outfits, extending possibly to wear an additional day. Helen11 on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571944 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:36:43 +0000 Helen11 1571944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like Rachylou's idea of a suit as the base for a capsule. Do you need to consider an outfit for presenting, too? Or accessories to bring that level of dressiness if needed? ( I went to a conference a couple of months ago and should post about my travel capsule , ie how *not* to pack!) kkards on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571908 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:49:08 +0000 kkards 1571908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ i'm assuming that you are traveling to these conference, so if it was me, i'd swap out the woven tops for knit ones because i think they travel better, and i think they are easier to layer over… rachylou on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571887 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 08:22:15 +0000 rachylou 1571887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm wondering what sort of conferences these are? I'd be tempted to go for a 5 piece suit - jacket, dress, skirt, pants, vest and 3 or so tops. I may be a little European in this respect, due to my work experience... But marked variety has never been a requirement for me for business situations like this... Just some stylish touches... Jenn on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571843 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 02:59:36 +0000 Jenn 1571843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I found it really helped me to have trousers with a subtle pattern. They feel better to me than solids when pairing with solid tops, but they still work with prints. I bought the ones in the Find below before a conference last year.  Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571841 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 02:54:01 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1571841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, I find that I prefer to wear my blazers with tops that are simpler, and don't have much going on. Whereas if I'm going to wear a top or sweater alone, I want it to have more detail, seaming, or something. Random: what about shoes? Do you have a pair or two of shoes you always wear for these things? I'd take my neutrals cues from that, and whether you want to add pants or a dress. You could also jazz up one of the black/white/gray solids outfits with more interesting shoes. Dee on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571830 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 02:22:09 +0000 Dee 1571830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laura, that reminds me of this recent thread: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/saving-tops-just-for-blazers" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....or-blazers</a> Sounds like maybe I need to change my shopping strategy to sets/outfits, like a top & cardi as you suggest, and just acknowledge that they won't get much use otherwise. Food for thought, thanks! I think I've been trying to hard to mix and match my daily wardrobe into my conference wardrobe, which is why a dedicate capsule is seems like a good idea. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571829 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 02:11:10 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1571829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What about a light sweater, for the days you don't have to wear a blazer? Or a 'sweater set' of sorts - not a literal one necessarily but a cardigan and a sleeveless top that works well with it, something that you're not planning to wear without the cardigan. Dee on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571826 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 02:08:10 +0000 Dee 1571826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laura, I tend to find skirts fussy but another dress would be a huge help. Maybe grey because I already have a black one? Jenn, I absolutely need to work toward mix and match. I've managed it with the rest of my wardrobe so this shouldn't be that hard. And yet... I should go through accessories for this as well as regular clothes, hmm. In terms of tops, I definitely need more. I always worry though that patterns aren't professional enough, while solids seem overwhelming with black pants, and then I end up wearing black/white/grey. What do you think should be the breakdown of essential vs statement for this kind of thing? I do also have a few basic camis that I can wear under cardigans but it feels boring to me, so I haven't been reaching for them recently. Jenn on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571817 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 01:40:22 +0000 Jenn 1571817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with Laura that a skirt would probably help, along with a couple more tops. Also, I'd work towards a mix-and-match capsule as you add/replace items. If you're one to do evening networking at any of your events, maybe think about accessories you can add/styling you can change up to transition your outfits for evening drinks. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571807 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 01:24:01 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1571807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If you need five days of outfits, and I'm assuming laundry would be a pain, you need another bottom or two - maybe a skirt, to mix it up? Or another dress? It seems like you need more tops, too. If you need to span climates and dressiness level, a total of 7-10 tops to choose from wouldn't be insane. Dee on "Help me make a conference capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-me-make-a-conference-capsule#post-1571774 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 00:18:56 +0000 Dee 1571774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In the last few weeks, I attended two conferences with dress codes on opposite sides of the business casual spectrum. I posted a few WIWs and agreed with the feedback I got, in that I generally felt happier in the outfits most fabbers liked while some of the other outfits just felt flat to me. I've been working on honing my casual daily style this year but conference wear is always such a small part of my wardrobe that I don't think about too much. Except for two days before one starts, and then I panic. What I'd like to do is develop a small conference capsule, possibly with items I already own but also willing to shop for this. Nothing needs to be super high-end, because it won't get worn that often, but I don't want to have to shop for each meeting either because things wore out. I attend two or three conferences a year and probably need roughly five days of outfits for each one. Neutrals and jackets are appropriate at one end, while I can get away with more color and cardigans at the other, so a mix would be great. They take place in the spring and fall, so enough of a climate overlap that many of the same pieces can be worn to each. So, what would you buy for this capsule? Both in terms of number and type of items to feel complete. Feedback from both dressy and casual dressers is appreciated! My current options are (although they don't all mix and match): 2 pairs trousers 1 dress 2 Blazers 2 cardigans 1 white woven top 2 solid silk tops 1 pattened top