Maxi dresses or skirts for a conference?

Kristin L

I'm going to a conference in Miami in a few weeks and I'm trying to figure out what to wear. I've gone to this group's conference for a few years, but every year I worry about what to wear. They are extremely casual. It's pretty common to see people going in and out of meetings and talks in jeans and shorts. The first year I went I wore khakis and twinsets and was very overdressed.

This year I was thinking about being brave and dressing up my maxi dresses for the conference. What do y'all think? Would that still be too informal?

13 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Diana

Veteran

I think dressing up a maxi sounds like a great idea - not too dressy but definitely nicer than jeans + a tee. Maybe bring a light knit blazer or something - I find that a blazer dresses up almost any outfit, and you can always leave it off if you feel overdressed.

Here's what I wore to my last (also very casual) conference. It was in DC so maybe slightly less casual than Miami but with scientists, one never knows.

http://diana.lookfab.com/post/.....el-capsule

13 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

If it's a very casual conference, I think knit dresses and blazers with dark wash, trouser style jeans would be nice. I'd probably still go for "smart casual" even if everyone else is super casual.

13 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

I'd be inclined to go with a skirt, rather than a maxi dress. For some reason, maxi dresses always bring to mind beach apparel to me, rather than just casual wear. A skirt can go from spiffy dressed up with a tank and a blazer and sandals to totally relaxed by just leaving off the blazer. A maxi dress' length makes it a lot less flexible to me. But take my advice with a grain of salt! I have a semi poisoned eye for maxi dresses. They just don't work on me at all.

13 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I feel the same as K can shop-maxi dresses always make me think "beach" and they come across as much too casual for conference. I think jeans or capris with nice top would make better choice. As well as skirt with nicer top and sandals. I also think that since its a not a get together with friends, i would still go with business casual style even if other people wearing shorts

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks Diana and Ana!

K and Victoria - I see what y'all are saying. Here is one of my ideas for dressing up a maxi. I apologize for the blurriness.

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13 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Normally I would say absolutely not, because like Victoria when I see maxi (skirt or dress) I think beachwear. But you did say the conference is in Miami, so maybe that's the kind of vibe that might be happening there? *shrug*

I tend to veer toward more tailored, less flowy silhouettes for a work-type environment, even if it is very casual, and save the flowy stuff for weekends and days off shopping or what have you. But it has been strongly suggested that I am a stick-in-the-mud.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I love maxi dresses and skirts, but believe there is a time and a place for them. I agree they scream casual, except for maybe something like Annagybe's recent maxi purchase. http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....maxi-dress

13 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

I am in the "maxi dresses for vacations, not conferences" camp.

When I went to a conference at a resort hotel in Miami, for the more casual portion of the conference I wore lightweight cotton skirts (knee-length) and white jeans with woven tops/lightweight blazers. It sounds like my conference was not as relaxed as yours (business casual to smart casual dress code).

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Kristin, I think a more structured jacket may be in order rather than a knit one --- it seems to dress the dress *down* rather than up.

13 years ago

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