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Help needed: What to wear when leading a workshop for colleagues?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Dear YLF, I need your help. Tomorrow I'm giving a presentation and leading a workshop with a group of around 30 teachers.

Setting: Colleagues in our neighboring county, so they don't know me. Smart casual is more than formal enough, but I want to look professional without looking too formal or "business-y".

I'm thinking of a mix between the outfits in the photos: A black skirt or pants - maybe even jeans, and a black blazer. A navy draped top or the Bompard sweater. A scarf or a belt, not both. Long pants, not cropped, and not tucked into boots. Maybe layer a white button down under the sweater.

What would YOU choose here?
And how would you accessorize this?

I'd love to hear your suggestions. Thanks for looking!

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

Deborah

Veteran

Ingunn, these all look so fab it's hard to choose! But I like 1 or 2 for your presentation. I find when doing a presentation I want to look put together but not dressed in a way that will cause any distractions. So I tend to keep it sharp and simple. Minimum accessories (I don't want bangles jangling as I move my arms while speaking) and I want people to be looking at my face while I speak so I may wear a delicate necklace but not a statement piece.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

i like the bottom have of #4 and the top of #5! I also like #4 in general.

Atlantia

Veteran

At any time are you going to be on a raised stage? If so, will you need to sit? If so, pants are easier than skirts. That being said, I really like #1, but would love to see it with the scarf from #4 instead of the belt. If you're going with pants, I vote for layering the white shirt under the sweater, so when you inevitably have to shed the blazer, you still look put together.
Good luck with your presentation tomorrow!

Anonymous

I like 1 and 4 the best. I love the scarf on 4, it really focuses attention to your face.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I prefer 1 or 3 which look amazing on you by the way. #2 is also very nice. Clean, simple but professional and not distracting. I don't like the idea of wearing a scarf for giving a presentation -- though I think it's fine for other times. I would find it to be very distracting as one of the members of the audience. Of course I am easily distracted.

JR

Veteran

They are all good, although I am kind of partial to #3 myself. I like the harmonization of the crisp professional-looking top half, with the more relaxed vibe of the jeans. But you can't go far wrong with any of these.

I think Deborah's point about bangles is well taken though. Ditto for Atlantia's point about wearing skirts on a stage (which may not apply). Leave off the bangles and only wear a skirt if there is no stage involved.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So interesting to read others' responses.

First of all, you look great in all of these. I just love your high quality classic essential pieces and the way you put them together.

I actually prefer the outfits WITH a scarf, because it brings some interest to your face. I agree that if you will be on a dias of any kind, or sitting on a high stool, pants could be better.

But a top with some colour could also be nice (as an alternative to a scarf). When I am presenting I generally like something with a bit of colour so that I become a focal point.

But then again, my presentations tend to be of a different sort. (Readings, panel discussions).

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for all these interesting responses! #1 is in the lead, it seems. No stage is involved tomorrow that I know of, and with opaque tights I think I will be okay with the skirt. Or maybe patterned tights? I've bought some nice ones with polka dots! Black, of course. Scarf or no scarf, that's the question. I know that teachers love scarves, so I will easily get away with that. But I also like what some of you pointed out - keep things sharp. And no bangles, for sure! I never wear that when I teach or give presentations, far too noisy.

Suz, this could also be an opportunity to wear my multicolored silk tunic instead. That would probably work fine, too. I have to think about that. I know I have to move around a lot to help people, and a no-fuss outfit is very important.

This has been very helpful. Thanks again!

Mona

Veteran

All of these are great professional outfits so it is hard to decide but my favourite is #4. it states loads of confidence with just the right amount of oomph with mustard scarf.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

#4 then #1 for me but I think you could wear any of them & feel you had made the right choice.

Raisin

Veteran

I'm loving #1 too.....though they are all fab!

Ginkgo

Veteran

#1, #2 and #3 are my favorites; the scarves look lovely on you but would they cause you to fuss with them during the course of the day?

Charmian

Veteran

I like #1 and #3 (ok, who am I kidding, I love them all!) for leading workshops.

Funny you should post this -- I just got back to my desk from facilitating a workshop myself. When choosing an outfit, in addition to what everybody else has said, I also look for something that will layer. Not that you'd be taking off your blazer mid-workshop, per-se, but sometimes I'll decide to add/remove something when I see the setup (eg, bright hot lights = lose a scarf).

moira

Veteran

Since you are a presenter, I think the blazer is a good choice in #1.
They all look great.

Anne Boleyn

I would probably wear 1 because it's neat, not flashy or distracting, and looks very sharp without looking too dressed up. You look great in all of them but #1 is the best! And the way you accessorized it is perfect.

Reneeb

Veteran

#1 would be perfect but I love #3 if you can get by with jeans. You can't go wrong with any of the outfits.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I love #1, but wish the taupe/cream/beige tone of the belt were echo'd somewhere else as well in the outfit like with snakeskin pumps or something. Just my need for matching, though. (-:

A.Kiernan

(website)

I like #5 with the belt from #1.

Anonymous

Any of these outfits would be great. As a teacher, I like to see some color on a presenter, so #4 is my first choice. The scarf from #4 could be added to any outfit though. As long as it is well anchored and you don't fuss with it, a scarf isn't a distraction.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Hi all! I'm now back from the workshop, and everything went well. My final pick was very similar to #1, but I substituted plain tights/hose and black boots with a patterned black hose and brown leather booties to keep the look more current and to pick up the brown in my belt. The only accessories were a tiny gold rose pendant, pearl studs and my gold watch. I tossed the blazer most of the day because it was warm, and I felt fine about the outfit.

Your responses made my choice easier, and I'm very grateful for your help. Thank you very much!