What to wear at presentation?

I'm organizing two(!) seminars and will have a presentation on Thursday. It will be fun, but really hectic running from one event to the next and also being responsible for both, and giving a presentation. Phew! Yes, and dinner when it's all done. The events are not super dressy, but I want to just slide through it all with an all appropriate outfit.

It's still freezing outside, so I'll probably change shoes during the day.

#1 DKNY silk dress with booties and blazer. Black or blue?
# 2 Pencil + bright top + denim (I guess the denim jacket might be a too cold)
#2 Pencil + bright top + cardi + belt
#2 Pencil + tunic + green cardi + blue blazer

What do you think? Tweaks and suggestions are welcome!

PS Sorry for post & run behavior. The presentation is still not finished (and my headache is very present)

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12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

image #1 in tile 1...black blazer with poofy shoulder sleeve. jacket honors the event and your role, while the jacket shape and the bootie makes the outfit fun and less buttoned up.

as long as the shoes are comfy and the dress stays put, you will look lovely and effortlessly balancing all your responsibilities.

congrats on organizing and presenting!

ramya

I love the DKNY dress as it is..
I kinda feel more cold in denim jacket... So may be not that with the pencil skirt

Congrats harmonica and all the best

cinnamon fern

DKNY dress + black blazer. Plus scarf if needed for extra warmth.

Knock 'em dead!

Gaylene

Hmm, when I'm in front of an audience, I don't like to wear anything that I might have to fuss with or adjust. The dress/jacket combo is a good one but I tend to avoid wrap styles unless they stay in place when I'm moving around and raising my arms.

I'd also give the movement test to your belted cardi and scarf outfit. Again, I tend to avoid belted cardis because they to shift if I move and I'm always having to tug things back into place. The same goes for a scarf unless the knot is low or pinned into place so it doesn't move about.

Personally, I'd wear the skirt, red top, and the blue blazer sans scarf. For me, keeping an outfit clean and simple makes it easier for both me and the audience to focus on the presentation, not what I'm wearing.

Anonymous

I like #1 the best as I think it looks appropriate for the occasion.

Sheila

What field are you in? Scientific? Artsy? Somewhere in between?

rachylou

What bj said re. the jackets in #1. I like all your outfits. Fun and eclectic. What are the seminar topics?

hedgiehog

harmonica, I really like #1. It looks polished and well suited for your presentation.

harmonica

Thanks for fast replies!

I'm in the humanities and the field is visual culture. The dress code is business casual and I've seen lots of jeans and blazer outfits, but that's too casual for a presentation (IMHO). There are not so many conservative business outfits, but in larger conferences there are some.

Gaylene, thanks for the very insightful comments on movement and clothes that stay put! It is really annoying if the cardi or belt moves around. As for these outfits, they all stay put. Hmmm... need to try on the dress later for a last test

I'm a scarf addict and I don't mind removing in during a presentation if needed. This event is quite not that strict and I don't feel a pressure to impress important professors. I'll be presenting some of my latest results and I'm really looking forward to it

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