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US Trade Show - what do people wear?

Sal

Veteran

Hi to my North American forum friends,

Our company is looking at attending a trade show in the Mid West in October. I will be going!

At a trade show/conference here people would wear polo shirt and jeans/chinos or softshell jackets and chino etc... It is in engineering and aviation. It will be fall weather.

I need to get some clothes to wear for two- three days - I am allergic to company uniforms so only own a puffer vest with a logo that I will bring.

I thought of long sleeve merino or knit polo shirts with a collar, with black pants and sneakers or boots? Along with the puffer vest or I could look at a blazer?

Our company colours are shades of teal but our uniform is mostly grey and black with the logo on it.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of event and what is the usual dress code?

Thanks in advance!

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

LJP

Veteran

I’ve worked a ton of trade shows but none in your field . I too am allergic to uniforms ;). My experience says anything goes , honestly . Any professional combination you put together will look 100 x better than anyone else’s . I always am quite amazed at what people wear at these things - and read into that what you will . As a company owner - I’d definitely wear a blazer .

Runcarla

Veteran

Seconding blazer style jacket.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Agreed with the others! You’ll be great in the kind of thing you describe. I like the idea of easy styling of a blazer to add a little polish. Is the event in Chicago? Very exciting!

Sal

Veteran

Columbus Ohio is the event - but hoping to get to New York as well.

I will be making a call next week.

There’s more important things to sort then my wardrobe but it is on the list.

kkards

Veteran

Not sure about your overall industry, but in general this, long sleeve merino or knit polo shirts with a collar, with black pants and sneakers or boots, sounds on target. I’d bring, but maybe not wear a blazer until I get a feel for the venue/conference. The mid-west tends to be casual than the coasts, but i know every industry has its own code.

Also, be sure to check the weather as October is one of these transitional months where it will be 70F/21C one day and 50F/10C a day latter.

Anonymous

Lots of awful uniform polo shirts :/ I prefer to stay on the more formal side for these type of things, so vote for a blazer or businessy dress- like a sheath or wrap.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I’d say more like suntiger. I haven’t been to association conferences or in business/office setting for a few years, and granting that everyone has become more casual, IMO long sleeve polo tops and black pants are just one tiny step off of uniforms, and aren’t really “smart” looking.

As an international attendee, I’d say, don’t try too hard to fit in with what you might feel is local style, but wear your smartest business casual here, too. While concerned with comfort, I’d even recommend wearing your sharpest shoes (that you can stand) also. If the logo apparel is required, then pick the stylish outfit to accommodate it. For example, under the puffer vest, a large floral print soft blouse in grays and teal wide pants? Or try it with a skirt!

https://www.mysmallwardrobe.co.....-vest.html

Or here are a few ideas including wearing over a full suit, though in October, there is a chance of any weather - chilly and wet or super warm, and inside a convention center, perhaps just as unpredictable.

https://www.purewow.com/fashio.....DS1BpdzYwS

Good luck and happy traveling!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

How exciting, Sal! I hope you do get to visit New York while you're in N. America. And hey, why not stop on Vancouver Island on your way home.

I am not too aware of dress codes for this kind of thing. I do think you'll want to stay warm and might need layers. Will be following along to hear what others suggest.

trangkute

(website)

Member

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Sal

Veteran

Thanks kkards! Good to get your radar on these events.

Suntiger - Jon's experience has been mostly bad polo shirts and ill fitting chino - he's been to a few. I think pants will be better as potentially I could be setting up equipment and even getting in aircraft.

Thanks cjh - will follow up those links. My first preference would be a blazer and trousers - I don't have to have logo gear or even particularly in company colours.

Thanks Suz - I hope to get to New York too as it is a bucket list destination for me..... I could tell myself Vancouver Island is on the way......?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have no good advice for you Sal, but Lisa's advice cracked me up. Trade show in the midwest? I would guess a blazer would be more than enough.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Go the blazer! But mostly just go!

rachylou

Veteran

Hard tech trade show? I’d guess the chinos and polo would be dead-on everywhere in the world… never worked in aviation, but manufacturing equipment and energy, that’s what everyone wore. Or jeans and a button up. I think suits died at the turn of the millennium. People wear them the first day of office visits only, if at all, and that jacket comes off immediately.

For Ohio, I’d say spray-starched and ironed. Actually, I’d do a golf shirt instead of a polo; the difference tho is practically nought. And while I’m sure people do wear black, I feel they also try to avoid it. I have great respect for what I consider the highly disciplined aesthetic of Ohioans, but it should be noted that it’s a keep-your-head down one. Cheerful, restrained, the antithesis of flashy. Pink and blue pastels, florals. Duck-in-bonnet pot holders.

But then people from Vegas turn up everywhere, we’re all used to them now… so it doesn’t really matter (Just teasing, Vegas folk!)

Sal

Veteran

Interesting Rachy! I think there’s an engineering dress code across the world - and it’s not that inspirational.

Thanks Jaime and Brooklyn-it’s 80 percent on. It’s getting the balance with blending and looking sharp.

Sal

Veteran

Trangkute - these boots were purchased in NZ a year ago. I suspect they are no longer available.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, my brother works in hard tech and I remembered trade shows he's been to. Not in mid-west, mostly, but in the US. Anyway...I'm pretty sure he wore a crisp button front shirt (no tie) and fairly casual pants, i.e. pants he could move around in. I don't even think he had a blazer since I don't know that he owns one other than his suit jacket. The collared shirt operated as "business" to the degree he needed to project that. So I would think pants and a blazer would work perfectly for you.

rachylou

Veteran

I feel those polo shirts are especially deadly, especially for women. Unless they are fitted. I used to wear form fitting polos with puff sleeves and sweater twins sets instead. Although sometimes, you have to wear that company logo polo. Layering that thing over your normal shirt is another trick, lol The logo vest is another good compromise.

Sal

Veteran

After some thought I think I will purchase a pants suit, probably in grey. For the pack in and out I can wear the puffer vest with jeans.

I think a suit with my platform sneakers or with boots or loafers would be a good easy look. I will find a teal knit to wear under and I have the following complements to wear to make a small capsule for three- four days. I would not take them all!

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Kyle

Veteran

I worked in aviation and attended tons of conventions and trade shows. If your team is not wearing a “uniform,” such as chinos and branded polo, then professional attire is called for. I’ve worn everything from dresses to skirts and blouses to dress pants and blouses, to suits. You can’t go wrong with a nice blazer.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Kyle! That’s interesting. Since there will be only two of us- myself and a male in his early 30s we can choose which route to go. He’s planning a company shirt with a logo and chinos -I could do that too but think I will go professional but also practical. I know there’s lots of standing and potentially bending and lifting etc