Presentation at Smithsonian Zoological Park - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Presentation at Smithsonian Zoological Park

Laura

I'm going to be doing a presentation at the Smithsonian Zoological Park before attending an elaborate lunch conference that includes some VIP politicians, scientists and media personalities.

I was hoping that this dress would be professional enough for both the presentation as well as the lunch plus it seems to flatter my figure instead of make me look blocky. Inside the exhibit, the ground could be wet so I have my weather proof leather boots which have heels, so they should be considered business formal too and be good enough for public speaking at the restaurant as well.

Shall I wear this outfit as is?
Any accessory recommendations?
Any recommended outfit tweaks?

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from VioletMyra

Echo

Veteran

The black OTK boots seem awfully heavy for the white lace dress (and for the time of year).

Sheila

Veteran

I second what Echo said.

Thin White Duchess

The zoo in DC? It's going to be in the low 80s tomorrow. To me the boots seem a bit heavy both visually and physically for early June.
The dress is lovely-- maybe switch to booties?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I also agree it looks seasonally confused. Plus when I lived in DC it was very conservative, though maybe it's loosened up.
Depending on the presentation the lace dress reads more cocktail or fundraiser than true business.

rachylou

Veteran

I really love this outfit. The dress is spectacular and the boots go well. And it's covered up and not little girl. It *is* sophisticated, but they'll enjoy it. It'll make them feel like they *do* get out of DC, hehe.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The dress is beautiful. Not sure about the boots with it, but the boots are fab in themselves.

BrieN

Veteran

The dress is great!!!!!!
! It seems to me that boots are part of your signature look -- if you think you'll be comfortable in the heat it's totally your csll.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great dress, but I agree that the boots are overkill for our weather (I'm a half hour away from DC and sweating in the warm and humid weather), and a bit seasonally confused.

catgirl

Veteran

Agree the boot are too heavy for this lovely dress. In winter with a blazer, maybe.

Anna

I think the boots might be be too warm. But the dress is killer. Sometimes a lace dress can be iffy for work wear but the the cut and color hit the balance just right. And it fits really well.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Add my voice along with BreeN. I love this look and your boots are significant part of who you are. I wear knee highs all of the time I wish Imcould wear the, at work. You look phenomenal and congrats on your wonderful speaking engagement. This is me in boots in 85 degree weather

Joyce B

Veteran

The look is very nice but maybe try with booties/shoeties to see if they work better for this time of the year. The fit of the dress is nice and professional looking.
ETA: also, maybe the boots are fine and are part of your signature look ( though may feel warmer in humid DC weather) but also compare the look with different shoe styles.

Ivy

Ditto what others have said about the boots maybe being too warm for DC this time of year, though if they're part of your look, then awesome!

Deborah

Veteran

Laura what colour is your hair? I'm the outlier here and live the boots with the dress but others suggest it may be too warm for the boots. A simple pair of pumps could be an alternative..but I love the contrast of the boots with the lace dress xx

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like the dress. Having lived in DC also, I think the boots are too heavy for this time of year due to warm weather and humidity. If Tanya has a comment for you, follow her, since she's a DC area scientist and should have the dress code down exactly.

Laura

I want to thank everyone for their informative responses!

Deborah asked what colour my hair as. As I like to dye it every so often, it does change although at the moment, I have dark hair

Thin White Duchess, yes, the
Smithsonian Zoological Park

is the one in DC.

I do see the majority of people like the dress, so I will run with it. I love tall boots and without consciously doing it, I guess I have made it a part of fashion trademark. Good eye Rachy, Brien & Ledonna I paired these dark boots with the light colour dress on purpose for contrast as I wanted both items to stand out. Is it possible to pair a dress with boots and not be seasonably confused?

I'm surprised the boots are the most controversial part of the outfit. Part of my talk will be in an area that is wet, and these boots should keep me dry. As for the heat the indoors air conditioning makes wearing boots comfortable for me, even in the warmer weather. No one else here experiences arctic air conditioning?

rachylou

Veteran

Lol. You know, when I hear 'zoo' and 'wet', what I think is 'hike with dog in rain' and 'wild land' and 'muck' and 'mountain lions' ... and 'where are my gum boots?' Lol. My rational brain takes awhile to kick in. To actually picture a zoo and what kind of wet we're really talking about and how it will be encountered with a bunch of politicians in tow. When I was in school, doing ecology, I spent winter knee deep in snow and summer knee deep in mud smelling like rotten egg. That's always where my brain goes.

lyn67

Veteran

Looks rather a cocktail dress-- but love it with the boots -so think will be more suitable for the lunch after -but our perceives can all depend on your (professional) attitude, too.

VioletMyra

I'm bumping this up although I may have missed the answer to my question which is did you wear the boots pictured or did you choose other footwear?
Thanks
Denise