Help business attire! - YouLookFab Forum

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Help business attire!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I’m giving a presentation in my field, a case study. I thought it’d be a local conference of peers in my field. Instead I just found out it’ll be a surgeon’s conference.
So I need professional wear, conservative. If it was a peer thing I could be more casual, but not this.
Is there anything left in the sale worthwhile. I have till November, so if there’s nothing now I can wait. But figured the sale might have something.

Anniversary Sale

36 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

anne

Veteran

All the best for that Anna. Hope you can find something.

Christina F.

Veteran

Try the blog Corporette. They’ve done roundups of what’s in the sale.

gryffin

Veteran

Anna good luck!! Christina that’s a fantastic idea about corporette. What about the halogen blazers? Single or double breasted?

rachylou

Veteran

Cool! I often like Vince Camuto. There seem to be some of his things left.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

The Halogen blazer is still in stock, in my size. But I’m kinda eh.
It seems casual, but I haven’t seen it in person

Halogen Halogen Double Breasted Blazer (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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bj1111

Veteran

First...congrats! That is awesome! Scientific abstract or course?

Ok...I think you can pull this off and still feel like you. It may take a while and be a bit frustrating between the availability of merch that is seasonally appropriate, event appropriate in the appropriate range of sizes.

Are you feeling pants and a jacket/swacket/dressy cardigan or a dress? How in costume are you willing to tolerate?

A black knit /ponte knee length dress zhuzhed up with Anna touches? Black black jeans and a dressy blouse and jacket with a pair of your slammin’ shoes?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Bj1111, I’m fine with costume. Because I’m still representing my hospital in a way. I don’t think black jeans will work.
I need to read the schedule, because honestly I thought it’d be a peer thing. But it’s definitely doctor focused, with a bone thrown to residents

unfrumped

Veteran

Wow, I dunno, but I always think the jacket’s the thing, for professional presentations. Though some might manage a “ business” dress with great neckline, or a structured tunic or such. Or a dress with a jacket.

Are there any fab blazers or jackets in the sale that appeal? Or non- Nordstrom brand you’d look at online or locally? You could do a “ basic”” pant and good bootie with that.

bj1111

Veteran

If there are residents presenting in the same session, they will be in suits at least in the east coast and the Midwest. In this instance, maybe go with a suit-ish jacket and nondescript black pants. Basically anything with a collar. Can’t go wrong with something forgettable.

Of course, I know a pretty famous pnw physician who wore the same chinos and sweater to every single meeting for 10 years. Then he switched to another sweater.

Joy

Veteran

Can you wear the DVF dress? Wear the cherry hat and they will remember you.

bj1111

Veteran

Sorry @Joy, I’m going to recommend no on the cherry hat.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have a black & cream wool Pendleton blazer in my closet, that I think fits.

gryffin

Veteran

Anna - sterling bought the pinstripe and loved it. Can you pm Angie? She’d have the best idea of how it would look on you. Did you see the matching skirt. Very elegant and unusual.

catherine

Veteran

Can you post a pic of the Pendleton?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Anna, what about the black and blue plaid version of the Halogen blazer? Or the Trouve blazer in London plaid? Either one would work with black pants. And it seems plaid jackets are having a moment. There's also the Halogen in black.

Halogen Halogen Double Breasted Blazer (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Trouvé Trouvé Menswear Blazer | Nordstrom

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Halogen Halogen Double Breasted Blazer (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Jane

Veteran

I don’t know how you feel about dresses but I have a new fab navy pin striped dress from Hugo Boss new season. But i would think you might get more wear out of separates if you couldn’t incorporate this into your day to day wardrobe).

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kkards

Veteran

1st congratulations...great honor for you....

this maybe to corporate for you, but there is a jcrew blazer that might work...pink maybe to much...but i like it....and of course there is the traditonal navy....
i haven't seen these pants, but the price seems great for a basic pant...there are other colors and plaids....

J.Crew J.Crew Dover Blazer (Nordstrom Exclusive) (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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J.Crew J.Crew Dover Blazer (Nordstrom Exclusive) (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Halogen Halogen Slim Pants (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Molly Mac

Veteran

I attend a lot of medical conferences. The female speakers always wear a suit in a traditional color (red and bright blue are popular) or a conservative sheath style dress with sleeves. Shoes are closed toe, small to mid heel pumps.

Staysfit

Veteran

Seriously? I’m going to offer an alternative perspective here to mix things up and to be a bit contrary. Maybe I’m crazy, but there is no way I would ever wear a conservative suit for an academic presentation. I save them for court, and and for interviewing prospective medical students.....situations where I do not want my personality to have any additional impact on people. I want a true cool polished professional look in the above two situations, after all, interviewing medical students is serious business. I assume surgical residents wear suits at a conference because they are best off If they don’t show much personality yet among a group of senior attendings. However, you are an attending who will be there to give a case presentation. You have arrived! You should bring some warmth and energy to a conference room full of sleepy conservative surgeons who may otherwise be daydreaming through your talk while pretending to listen. This is something physicians are very skilled at doing at conferences until their heads slump and they snore. Wear something colorful and happy. Mix in your personality. I would definitely add the hat with the cherry. Wear some great fun shoes. If you blend into the background, so will your case. Look for something that makes you feel happy and energetic, plus powerful and smart. Let the rest of the room be dull and conservative, you need to shine.

Staysfit

Veteran

Molly Mac, I guess my specialty rocks! I’m so happy! It’s probably because we work with children. I see color and people wearing separates when they present at my conferences. Not traditional suits. People certainly look polished, but it’s rare to see someone wearing a full suit. Maybe a pencil skirt, blouse and elegant cardigan of some sort, but not the matching jacket. Sometime women just wear a nice dress.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have no specific ideas or things to recommend from the NAS because professional wear has been off my radar, but I am kinda feeling some of Staysfit's advice. I wouldn't water down your personal style too much. I'd go with a professional silhouette -- blazer and skirt or trousers -- but with a piece in a great signature "Anna" color or print. Comfortable but signature shoes. No hat. I feel like a hat might be a step too far into distracting territory.

Roberta

Veteran

I'm with Staysfit, wear a little something with color and interest. I can't comment on the hat, but a sparkly booch, a bright scarf . . . I just bought a navy Boden blazer with a red floral print, and I can see that as my presentation go to. (Richmond blazer, now on sale!) I didn't see anything in the NAS sale - except possibly the long BB Dakota topper. It's floral, but in a charcoal gray. I can visualize you striding up to the podium in sleek narrow pants and smart low heels or boots.

You'll be GREAT!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fun. I'm sure you'll give a great presentation.

I'm with Firecracker, try these. They look trendier than a classic blazer and work with your height. A pair of black pants, shell top, and fun loafers or booties.

The J.Crew pants are worth a try too.

Halogen Halogen Double Breasted Blazer (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Halogen Halogen Double Breasted Blazer (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Trouvé Trouvé Menswear Blazer | Nordstrom

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Halogen Halogen Double Breasted Blazer (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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J.Crew J.Crew Cameron Seasonless High Rise Crop Pants (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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J.Crew J.Crew Cameron Seasonless High Rise Crop Pants (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Gretchen

Veteran

Not in your profession, but I do present at conferences a lot. I always notice the women (and men!) who make an effort. I was totally distracted at a government session last spring b/c I was drooling over the speakers shoes. Whether it’s great pattern matching, or an unusual color (or an awesome pair of shoes) choose something that makes you feel great. The rest of the world can wear boring suits.

As to practical matters...
Will you wear a mic? You might need for a belt for the battery pack, and should skip on a big necklace.
Will you need to sit down on stage? Might choose pants or a less structured skirt.
Is the stage raised or are you at floor level? More reason to pay attention to the bottom half of your outfit.

Good luck. You’ll rock it!

Diana

Veteran

Is this fringey Halogen tweed too funky? I'd wear it for this kind of thing (with black trousers and a shell, maybe) , but I have a bit of that whole academic-wanting-to-poke-the-doctors thing going on. =P Might be moot, though, as it looks like it's sold out in most sizes.

The floral blazer (not NAS, not available) is something I own that I'd wear for this kind of talk. With dress pants or plain dress for a medical-type conference, and with jeans for a scientific one.

Definitely do some funky shoes.

ETA: Gretchen makes a good point about the mic and battery pack. The latter makes it tricky to do a dress unless it has a substantial pocket to clip the pack onto. Pants pocket, belt, or even waistband in a pinch is almost always OK. If you wear a jacket, you won't have to worry about the mic - you can always clip it to the lapel. But a top or dress w/ a lower neckline can be awkward.

Halogen Halogen Raw Edge Tweed Jacket (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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abc

Veteran

First of all, what an honor! Congrats!

I think the other ladies have you squared away here. The only idea I had is what I'd do - throw a leather jacket over the top of black pants and a flowy top. But that might not be as conservative as you'd like.

Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Joyce B

Veteran

Congrats on your presentation! As you know, surgeons can be a tough audience. I would wear a power suit to help get my message across. You can add your personal touches to it as well.
I hope you will show us what you decide on.

bj1111

Veteran

If you go dress, mikes clip to your back neckline.

What @JoyceB said. Also, I like the idea of a conservative leather jacket, ever so slightly edgy.

Sal

Veteran

I would be tempted to wear your existing black and cream Pendleton blazer - with black pants of some sort. I don't know what shoes you have but this is good way to add some personality along with your stunning hair. I would wear a simple black top under the blazer but I am on the simple/boring side for these things.....

Well fitting black pants seem like they would be a good long term addition for these types of occasion..

And congratulations - that is a real honour!!

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