First time poster but long time reader. I like the idea of separates with a personal touch. The Halogen double-breasted navy with pin stripe is one of my purchases at the sale that I really like. It's a bit longer, and I sense that it could fit many people. My only concern with that one is that it seems too heavy for this time of year. Ah, but I see that it will be for November so that could work!

Another purchase of mine is the J Crew blazer mentioned by kkards. I am still on the fence about keeping it, but it is beautifully made. Also double breasted but somewhat short and boxy. It does come in a variety of colors.

I am more with Angie.

When I presented research studies at medical meetings, I wore some version of “ business casual “, with the “ casual “ referring to UNmatched jacket/bottom. No typical corporate suits because there’s not a corporate culture for scientific meetings, except for drug reps. Most other women physician presenters I recall about same. So a good jacket made the most impact— it didn’t have to be boring. So color, some pattern, but not going for whackadoodle. And you can’t pin down a style, really since the people who “ looked” best to me probably dressed to fit their body type and clothes that fit well— all the usual suspects. So toppers might be longer or shorter, double, single, different necklines or a version of a great cardigan. In some respects, footwear was not as big a deal— this was before cropped pants and, if you can imagine, before booties were the rage! Hence long pants tended to obscure footwear. I wore skirts ( pencil, of course ! ) for some, pants for others, but for that, simple was usually best.
When just a ttending conferences I didn’t/ don’t stress as for presenting, and might do more for the season or clime rather than classic business neutrals, but hey, the women flying in from New York, whether to San Diego or Miami, always wore black!

Don’t forget the good haircut!

But I reminisce. And this was before YLF and Unfrumped, so most likely I was just Frumped.

Diana I really liked the fringe Chanelesque jacket, but only a small left.
I most likely will be at a lectern because I’ll be up there for about five minutes. Very short presentation, we’ll see how fast I can talk
I’m having trouble with a single button double breasted jacket. It just looks weird to me.
Thanks for all the input
ETA I might have to be careful with small patterns because I think I might b filmed (moire issues)

talk slow. you earned your time up there.

Many times scientific presentation slots are specifically time- limited, like 10 minutes. So the talk has to be worked out & practiced for time, or you get “ the hook”!
But yeah, lectern/ podium, hence haircut, upper torso focus. But clothing that works for personal comfort/ confidence, so less worrying or distractions.

So, not answering the question you actually asked (because I am terrible at business wear) but please don't talk fast. Practice what you want to say so that it fits the time slot. When you talk too fast you can't bring the audience with you if they aren't already experts in whatever you are saying, in which case there is no point anyway. I have a big place in my heart for a well-timed scientific talk. Personally I tend to speak quickly when I am nervous, so it's a conscious effort NOT to do that. The other end of the spectrum, people who go on and on unconscious and uncaring of the other people's time that they are stealing, well, that's not you. *end of unsolicited advice*

I would say a killer blazer, hair cut and make up and just plain old slim black bottoms. Comfortable shoes as you'll be standing. You'll be amazing! Think about: what about my case study needs to be memorable? What is important about this case study. You want to be memorable but not so distracting so they forget the case study message. (So I would say no on a hat due to the age we live in but gosh I wish it were the 1930s-1940s sometimes when a hat wasn't so unusual!!) What a great opportunity to be of service. Congratulations.