Business dress code - advice needed - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Business dress code - advice needed

Dee

Veteran

I'm attending a three-day conference at the end of the month and the specified attire is "business." It's local at least, so I don't have to worry about packing, but my business wardrobe is lacking. I've never had to attend a conference dressier than business casual and am unlikely to attend others like this in the near future. Or to ever have a job that requires regular use of a suit.

I have one navy suit, one black ponte sheath dress, and a couple of neutral colored blazers and trousers (but not necessarily the same neutrals).

As far as I can tell, my options are (for day one, two, three):
1) Wear the suit, the dress, the suit again
2) Wear the suit, the dress, and then black trousers with grey blazer
3) Go shopping

What would you do in this scenario?

ETA: I just remembered I own both a skirt and trousers to go with my suit jacket! Clearly I don't wear either very often...

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Cerinda

Veteran

Definitely #2 and change accessories. Unless of course you want to shop, and then we'll all turn enablers!

Dee

Veteran

This is one of the few scenarios where I would prefer not to shop!

carter

Veteran

Yep. Definitely #2. If you find that everyone else is in duits/dresses, you can re-wear the suit for day 3. No shopping for orphans.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm pretty sure "business" means business casual - and not business formal, Dee. I can't imagine that you need to wear dressy suits for three days unless you're an attorney in the court room, or in politics.

Wear biz casual separates. No jeans. Jacket is good. Dressy shoes and bag.

Sal

Veteran

I think your current plan sounds good, either 1 or 2. I would personally make sure my shirt/shell underneath were quite different pieces ie pink patterned shell top with suit and black shirt with blazer. One pair of shoes is fine but you may well have two options anyway. I would not buy unless what you have is totally unsuitable/you feel inappropriate or uncomfortable. Save the money for clothes you will get much more wear from!

I would almost approach it from a male point of view. I suspect many males would have one suit and wear it a least two days. Three shirts, three ties and one pair of shoes

Joyce B

Veteran

I think it depends on the type of business and the type of meeting/conference that you will be attending.
The options that you described seem good but to know for sure you have to balance them with what the norm will be at the meeting.

Dee

Veteran

Thanks ladies for the quick responses!

Cerinda and Carter, thanks for chiming in. Purchases likely would end up orphans, so I'd really prefer to avoid if possible.

Angie, generally I'd agree and hopefully there will be enough business casual folks that I won't stand out too much. That said, it's going to be mostly medical doctors, who often skew dressy. I'll be one of the few primarily research/academic people at the meeting. But eyes will only be on me one day and then I just sit and take things in for the rest of it, so hopefully I can get by.

Sally, you're probably right about how men approach things like this. My DH has two suits and just alternates with new shirts. I do have a few pairs of shoes that are (hopefully) dressy enough.

Joyce, I've never been to this one before and neither have my immediate colleagues. So I won't know until it starts and it'll be far too late to shop then.

Anonymous

I'd go with 2 ( or 1 if you are feeling the need to dress less casually.). Different tops and accessories can make the same pieces look different.

Joyce B

Veteran

It sounds like you are good to go with what you mentioned unless your audience is of plastic surgeons which notches up the dress code or unless your meeting is in CA which notches down the dress code.
Wear shoes that are comfy but dressy for when you present your material.
Have a great meeting!

shedev

Veteran

Go dressiest on the day you are in the spotlight, second dressiest on the first day, and least on the day left over. I think you can do this with your current closet.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Door #2. And, what Shedev said. Go with dressiest/ favourite option on the day you are in the spotlight and compromise more on the other days.

But also what Cerinda said. If you want us to enable, we can do that.

Dee

Veteran

Joy, thanks! I guess I'll see how things go on day one and adjust accordingly.

Joyce, thankfully neither of those apply!

Shedev, that's a good plan. And glad you think I can manage it.

Suz, this is one of the only times I will ever say this: I would rather not go shopping. I'd much rather spend my money on fall clothes I'll actually wear!

Everyone - looks like option two is the winner, unless the crowd is all in suits on day one. Thanks so much for your input.

unfrumped

Veteran

My experience is that doctors don't do suits much but may wear sport coats. At meetings I usually see a lot of khaki's and more casual shirts without ties. It depends on the type of " meeting" because for CME or professional society meetings, people are also in a less formal mode than " at work" and so attendees will dress for a bit more for comfort ( " presenters" may dress up more) though not much jeans.
The " industry" folks( pharm reps and equipment , etc) are often more corporate. So I think that does mean business casual which means not matched suiting, though safer not to go too far toward "casual" if you have presentation. These days some people the term " business casual" for jeans and sneakers!

Anonymous

All good advice. I prefer number 2, but I judge what I wear based on other participants. I tend to find that the each day of a conference is a little bit less formal then the previous. So number 2 seems appropriate, but I always have a back up plan.

Bijou

Veteran

I would agree that conferences do get less formal (with fewer formal networking events) as the days go on. If you have some nice neutral basics, you should be fine. For your time in the spotlight wear what makes you feel the best in, because if you feel confident and comfortable, that will shine through. Make sure you have a jacket, as often the air conditioning can be freezing.