Miami travel capsule - YouLookFab Forum

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Miami travel capsule

Makrame

Veteran

I am going to a conference in Miami in a few weeks. Temps will be in the 80s but much of the time will be spent indoors in an air-conditioned environment. I am trying to pack light but will also bring some extra clothes for wondering about in the heat, if I have time for that.

Day 1 - giving a talk. Looks a bit heavy but I think it may be appropriate for the more formal situation of an oral presentation.
Day 2-5 - attending conference, with the return travel on day 5.
6 and 7 are potential alternatives for day 4 outfit.
8 is an "extra" for an evening out or something similar - a dress that packs small and does not need ironing.
I might also bring the floral dress just in case but it is more fussy and need to be ironed. I am also tempted to bring the Desigual shirt (pic 10) for an informal outing, just in case.

What I seem to be missing are shorts - I just realized that this seems to be a hole in my summer wardrobe, I don't have any good quality walking shorts. If I can find the one pair of denim shorts I have, I might just bring those, as well as a casual t-shirt.

What do you think? Anything missing?

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Isis

Isis

Veteran

I like all of these, M! I especially like #3 and wonder if that would be better for your talk....or do you want to fade more into the background when the lights go down? Good idea to bring the dress just in case.

I like to bring workout clothes for working out in the hotel, and don't forget your swimsuit in case you get a chance to go to the beach!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think you are set! In 80-degree Miami, I don't think you'll want shorts, anyway. The dresses will be much more airy, which is important for humidity. The swimsuit idea is good, too! Even if you don't get to the beach, the hotel probably has a pool (also good for working out) and hot tub.

Makrame

Veteran

Isis, I know what you mean about fading into the background vs. something bright, that's a good point. I will be giving a presentation for a small working group and my guess is it might be more of a round table discussion, so I would like to wear something that looks fairly formal if I happen to be close to the listeners/viewers.

Isis and Rae, thanks for the reminder about swimsuit/workout gear, I have forgotten my swimsuit the last two times I was in Miami for meetings (and of course the hotel had the best pool ever) so hopefully I won't repeat this mistake.

Anonymous

I agree with rae, don't think you'll need shorts. The two dresses will cover that need and be more comfy. No need to worry about wrinkles on the floral dress, it's usually humid enough that wrinkles take care of them selves. I would definately bring the Desigual top.

Anonymous

Everything looks great. My only advice would be to pair the polka dot skirt with solid tops only. The pattern mixing is great to us "fabbers", but it is likely to look a little odd to the average person. I try to keep things like this in mind, especially when in more formal settings. I also don't think you need shorts.
the shirt on #2 would look great with the white jeans:)

Makrame

Veteran

Zapotee, that's a really good point about pattern mixing. I will admit, though, that I was initially confused when I started reading about "pattern mixing" on YLF because I have always mixed patterns with abandon and couldn't see any issues with many of the "bolder" combos. A fellow graduate student (male) once commented on the outfit that my son was wearing at the age of 4 or 5, which consisted of plaid shorts and a striped t-shirt in perfectly coordinated colors (blue, green, grey stripes and blue, green, grey plaid pattern). I was honestly stumped since this seemed like a perfectly logical combo to me. So to my eye, there is barely any pattern mixing going on in #2.

But you are right, the orange t-shirt would work well with the white jeans, too. I just wanted to avoid the "white blazer, white pants" combo that might look like a Miami Vice-style white suit.

Anonymous

Excellent Miami capsule! Throw your denim shorts in too, if you can find them. You might want to just switch out of long dark dress pants one day after hours and they will give you some variety from the dresses. That last outfit is stunning and looks like the perfect night club outfit for Miami! Have fun!

Beth Ann

Veteran

You look terrific! Very versatile capsule! My favs are #3, 6, 7 and 10. What about pairing the polka dot skirt with the red jacket? This would be more formal, but strong.

bj1111

Veteran

isis gave great info on your presentation day. think in terms of what shows above the table so 3is ideal. alternatives ...swap the tops in 3 or 10 for the top in 1, swap the jacket in 1 for jacket in 3, if the red is too much for you. the striped shirt is too casual when you are the presenter, especially if you are a junior presenter or anticipate to be the most junior person at your workshop.

you'll be great! let ys know how the presentation goes!

Makrame

Veteran

Good point bj, I just realized that I have a white short-sleeved button-down with a subtle pinstripe that might work better in #1 than the striped t-shirt. The top in #3 has a fairly low scoopneck so I would not feel very comfortable wearing it while presenting.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Those are some fabulous outfits, Makrame! So much so, that I feel like #1 is almost too casual compared to #2-#4 and #6-7... which all look terrific, by the way. I like Beth Ann's idea of pairing the red jacket with the polka-dot skirt. Or even just swapping out the jacket alone in #1 for greater impact.

I think bringing both your dresses along is a great idea at 80 degrees. Especially as both look like they can be dressed up with your jackets as well as dressed down without them if you manage to wander off on your own LOVE the Desigual shirt too! If you find no reason to wear it while in Miami, might you wear it on the plane back? It's such a gorgeous garment!

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Great and versatile capsule!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow! I am impressed! Well done.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I prefer 3 and 7 for your conference presentation. I love all of your combinations actually except the first one seems a little dull. Sorry! You probably did this on purpose so that people wouldn't focus on your clothes during the talk. Would you consider popping a red or white jacket over the outfit to add a little punch? You look so pretty and sophisticated in all of these. Maybe instead of the striped blouse, swap in one of the pretty patterned blouses? I think that would still be very accessible but a little bit more fashion forward. The expectations of women in tenure track positions are insane. You have to show that you can do it ALL - manage a family, social life, home, research, publications, teaching - and take care of yourself. I think dressing more fashionably is a way to show that you CAN manage to take care of yourself, your home AND do top notch research. I hate to see you tone it down so much for the day of your talk that your personality and sophisticated style do not show through. That's just my two cents, I see the full range of the spectrum here in my home institution.

PS - the pattern mixing is fab, just not for the talk

Sara L.

Veteran

I like all these outfits and think they are perfect for a conference that will probably be over air-conditioned. You can wear the jackets inside and take them off to go out and still be very confortable. I agree with others that #1 is a little plainer than your other outfits, but I can understand that that's probably a better style for a presentation.

Carole

Veteran

Impressive capsule! Seems like you have all the bases covered and each outfit is lovely.

bj1111

Veteran

makrame, a subtle pinstripe button down is the perfect piece. do you feel comfortable wearing a piece of jewelry or accessory that can become your signature at these mtgs? eg, one guy wears bowties exclusively, another wears lapel pins specific to the mtg, a woman wears her handmade jewelry. something to think abt as you develop your professional persona. surprisingly effective during the networking events.

Elly

Veteran

This looks great.

My only thing is this . . . . the jacket looks are great for the AC. However, are you going to be too hot in the long sleeved tops you have under them when you walk outside or are you going to be going straight from a hotel room in the same hotel as the conference and mostly eating in the same hotel (catered meals or hotel restaurant)? I would consider sleeveless, lightweight, or short sleeved under layers so you can walk out of the business parts if you do have to be outside and walking or traveling/waiting for a cab or shuttle from hotel to conference or conference to restaurant and just take off the jacket and be comfortable. If you do have to be outside in heat and humidity having something casual to slip into for evenings to go out to dinner or for a walk is going to be more important for freshness, and if you have to be outside in your business wear it is important to think about staying fresh - especially the pants.

If some of the tops you have on are sleeveless or light enough for Miami when the AC isn't blasting I'd consider bringing an extra/more casual skirt or nice shorts and just wear the top from that day out with the casual piece rather than packing extra dresses that if they get sweaty can only be worn once. If the tops are going to be too hot for that I'd be more interested in dresses or bringing a couple extra ts.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

All of these outfits look great for a professional event such as your conference! I'm especially loving #1, 3, 6, 7, 8 & 10 (Top in 10 is fab for nights out). Surely add a pair of walking shorts - maybe denim, but also something else, a bit less casual that you can wear anywhere without worrying about a dress code...? Denim shorts are great for the beach and that's about it, IMHO. Sundresses are also great for hot temps and casual outings.

Makrame

Veteran

Elly, thanks, I did think about the issue of "staying fresh" in the heat. The entire conference, including most meals, is in the same hotel where I am staying so I can wear a jacket throughout the day. Most of the tops are sleeveless or short-sleeved so they will be very lightweight. If I switch the top in #1 for a short-sleeved shirt, I should be all set for the warm weather. I might also bring an extra skirt as you suggest.

Rita, you make some really good points about dressing styles and science. This particular session will have people from the industry and the granting agencies and I know from past experience that there tends to be an unusually large porportion of men in suits unlike most conferences where participants men wear khaki pants or jeans and no ties or jackets. So for this particular occasion, tailored and slightly subdued might be the way to go.

bj, that's an interesting idea. I have a small silk scarf that has a design inspired by the images of the tissue that I study. Might be a fun conversation piece and/or signature accessory.

Helen, good point about the dressier shorts - even if I don't find any shorts in time for this trip, I should definitely look for a pair of walking shorts for this summer.

bj1111

Veteran

well, it sounds like you have everything under control. knock 'em dead.

Isis

Veteran

I think bj makes some fantastic points. Particularly about projecting authority when one is younger than other group leaders, and when one is a woman in male-dominated sciences.

A more structured blouse is the way to go!

Have fun at your conference, KNOCK THEM DEAD, and let us know how it goes!!!