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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Keynote address help?

Melinda SF

I got the big one- a keynote address!

Unfortunately I have put on a little bit of weight since I purchased some lovely dresses. dammit!

Now I'm a bit stuck. I have two beautiful jackets I love, one in navy blue and one in black. the latter is very long, it covers my butt, (I'm not a skinny girl), but it's very strong in stance. I am an inverted triangle so I have been pairing it with the lovely gray and black plaid pants from Kut from the Kloth and usually my black patent croc Tieks, with a burgundy long top underneath.

Sometimes I pair these pants with the silvery cole haan tennis shoes I bought at the nordies sale this year, but that feels just a hair casual. side note, I had to laugh because after I picked these out, I came to the site and discovered they were angie's picks too....

this is a tech address, so it's a more dressed down crowd; but I am with one of my largest clients and there are prospective clients in the audience.

wearing these jackets with wool trousers feels so outdated. wearing them with Jeans feels so "done" in tech.

I have some lovely clothes, but I need to accept where i am now and try to look my best with what I have. I hate the idea of buying something new but I will if I have to.

the question is:

1. any ideas for how to make these jackets work in a way that doesn't scream "old lady" or "corporate" ?
2. I am presenting with my client on stage. I don't want to upstage her, but do you all have tips on how we should coordinate?

Overall, I'm just feeling insecure with my look, think.....thank you all for advice, links etc. I was prowling around the forums but didn't see many posts on this type of outfit.

EDIT TO ADD: the address is in Los Angeles in mid march so it can't be too "wintery" either. le sigh.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Gretchen

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Can you edge up the nice jacket and pants outfit, which sounds as if you are comfortable with, by footwear or jewelry? Maybe white booties, which seem to be running strong lately? Or a bold necklace. I’m not in touch with your usual style, but even in a “business casual as it’s most formal” industry, it seems that dressing up would be desireable. Here are a couple bolder necklaces I like. You would want to choose something in your price, color and style range.

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/p.....olor=multi

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/n.....color=grey

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/n.....%2F%20gold

Melinda SF

thanks cjh! this is normally a great idea. my hair and my glasses have a very edgy look and I fear that too much jewelry near my face can distract. I'm not afraid of it, just afraid of overdoing it? I guess.

can you tell I'm kinda stuck? LOL my therapist would say this isn't about the clothes, it's about feeling insecure and yeah she'd be right. at the same time I can't ignore that my clothes don't fit, so even as I try to lose weight the talk is in 2.5 months and I need to have what I want to wear before i go on my annual cruise (egads, weight!) in late Feb.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Okay if everyone is used to the hair and glasses, take it up another notch and surprise them.

jussie

Veteran

I wonder if you could include some pics of the jackets, and potential outfits? Hmm What about some faux leather leggings with a jacket?

jussie

Veteran

Wow cjh those necklaces are beautiful.

Toban

Veteran

The most important thing is for you to feel confident and secure in your outfit, wear your best colors, and bring the audience’s attention to your face. You want people to remember your message more than anything.

bj1111

Veteran

In bio/tech, the two women who stood out were the former cio of hhs who wore wide leg black pants and a black wrap top and no noticeable jewelry and the head of theranostics. Memorable in a Black well made well fitting turtleneck and wide leg pants, before she and her company imploded.

Simple, iconic

What in your current closet gives you confidence? What previously gave you confidence?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

A hoodie under the jacket? I'm thinking like a cashmere hooded sweater, rather than an actual hoodie sweatshirt.

I love bj1111's ideas of wide-legged trousers. Not cropped, but full-length ones, which feel newer. And the wrap sweater to go wtih them sounds gorgeous, too.

Do you have a not-casual but not-dressy dress that would work? I'm thinking simple, one-color (not black), easy-fitting, good drape. You could wear it with booties. If the fit is right, wear it with one of the jackets. But you might not need a jacket with a dress.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations on this mark of recognition and respect!

I agree--if you can post photos of the items, it will help us advise.

You are going to look amazing and BE amazing. And there is lots of time to plan. You've got this!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Congrats. A fab feather in your cap.

I'm with Suz. Try to post photos of the jackets, and we'll help you style them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Another here who would like to see photos of the items, and maybe see what outfits have made you feel your most confident in the past.

Vix

Veteran

Big congrats, Melinda!

Honestly to me this is a "throw money at it" situation.

And possibly an MM LaFleur one. [Though I find their fit and quality a bit hit or miss, they do have online stylists to help and there is a buy / sell / trade FB group where you can see women -- including SoCal tech industry ones -- wearing the clothes; PM me if you need the link but you could also ask in a separate post here as I know some own pieces.]

Absolutely try to put together outfits from what you have and share them -- but also be prepared to take various items with you and get a personal shopper to help create a full look.

But bottom line: You need to feel A+ and look sharp and you simply might not have what you need right now. You may not fit into your current picks, but don't punish yourself for that. I hear you on not wanting to buy, but no need to be "penny-wise and pound foolish," either.

Very excited for you and look forward to hearing how it went!

karen13

Veteran

Congrats and definitely use the expertise of the forum ! I’m too far out of the business loop to offer anything but emotional support, but this right their alley for lots of members.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Congrats on hooking the big fish!

How old are the jackets? I think people could be most helpful with pix of you wearing the items, but if they are still being sold online, you could make and post "finds" of them (using the YLF tool). That would show the forum the pic from the sales site.

Melinda SF

thank you all! I am house sitting through tomorrow but I will post pictures of myself in these items this weekend. the jackets are all very new and the kut from the kloth pants have only been worn a few times. I had the black jacket tailored to fit. so, look for some pix from me this weekend. I so appreciate the support and kind words.

Carla

Veteran

If your avatar pic is your current look, I think all eyes will be riveted on your face and ears tuned to what you are saying. Keep your look elegant with a funky edge that you are comfortable with-possibly a column of colour like navy or merlot. Don't distract with accessories, but think about a nail colour since you will likely be gesturing.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I don't know why some women wear such bright or dark nail polish when people should focus on the ideas they are talking, and possibly gesturing, about. If you wear color on your nails at all, my vote is for something close to your skin tone, like light brown or pale pink if that's close to your skin color.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I forgot to say congratulations! It's so impressive to be invited to give a keynote address. I look forward to seeing what you select; I hope you'll post it here!

kkards

Veteran

congratulations! how exciting!
do you have a signature color? or one that makes you feel confident? i'd be sure to incorporate it into you outfit.
what about shoes? will you be standing or sitting?

Cee

Veteran

Cheers and break a leg, kid

AndiB

Veteran

I just did a similar trip to soca in mid December, although just on a conference panel. Still. I’ve been liking the Boden hampshires, I have 4 pair now! Two each black and navy in the wide leg and the ankle crop. I wore the ankle crop navy with a floral blouse and blazer over. The wide black look very good with a fitted sweater in black with scarf or statement necklace or neckerchief. I’ve put in a few myself and am mid 50’s but felt contemporary and just right in a crowd of earthy environmentalists!

Gretchen

Veteran

Congrats! Looking forward to seeing pics of the jackets.

A couple practical things to think about:
- Will you wear a mic? Think about where they will attach the battery pack. Will you need a belt or a waistband accessible? Or will you be ok with it on the back of your shirt/dress?
- if you wear a mic, will it be an over the ear or a lavallier? If lav, pass on a big necklace as the sound guys may have problems and ask you to remove it.
- is there any chance you’ll need to sit on stage? If you choose a dress or skirt check sit-ability, remembering that you will be slightly above the front rows of the audience. If possible, confirm ahead of time - I got stuck once wearing a skirt and sitting on a beanbag chair at a tech conference!
- Make sure your shoes are super-comfortable for you, and in their best condition. You don’t want to want to have to think about them when you are on stage.

On matching with a co-speaker: I generally make sure that we are at the same level of formality, but don’t worry beyond that. it’s better that you both feel good and present your best self than aligning on colors or styles.

And no, you’re not overthinking it - I go through an outfit crisis before every major speaking event! Take the time to plan this out so you feel in control and that you look your best, which will give you more confidence for a great keynote.