WIW: Professional Conference - YouLookFab Forum

I was at a professional conference Tuesday through Friday and wanted to share some less casual (work) outfits for your feedback.

1/2: I typically wear this dress (Lauren Ralph Lauren) with black capri leggings rather than the cream ones for a longer line, but tried to summerize it a bit. I think it is less flattering, but does it work? I'm not sure I like it as well as with the black. Maybe if I wore the black capri leggings (shown in 5/6) and the champagne flats that bookend my hair?

3/4: This is one of my most frequently worn pairs of work trousers (BR Sloan fit from about 5 years ago; the latest version of this fit doesn't seem to work for me quite as well). I forgot the topper I usually wear with this top, which is a light silvery gray. The overall effect was a bit dark, but the AC was too cold to go without a topper.

5/6: I usually don't wear this (petite midi length) dress with leggings unless they are full leggings and with tall boots, but the AC prevented me from going with bare legs. Once again, I think my usual look is a bit more conventionally flattering. The purple sweater is old; is the ruffle style too dated? I do like that it is a color as most of my toppers are neutrals.

7: This was a casual Friday at the conference. Many people were dressed this casually or even more so for the entire four days, even though the dress code was "business casual." So I definitely didn't look out of place.

Constructive criticism welcome, and thanks for looking!

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7 years ago

Anonymous

Becky, this is a great conference capsule. I think I would like the first outfit better with the black leggings lightened by the light shoes. I prefer jacket or long duster cardigans over this style, so cannot comment on your topper.
The top in 3/4 looks medium blue rather than a silvery grey. I like it on you and the black trousers.
Fabulous dress in 5/6. The floral looks summery.
#7 is a great look for you. Polished casual.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Cute!
I love how you wear the dresses with leggings.
I very much like the white ones in the first outfit. However, I'm with Joy about the topper.
Last outfit is simply adorable, and memorable for a conference: it makes you come across as a happy, positive person.
I don't find the ruffles on 6 too dated at all, and I think it goes well with the slightly style and silver ballerinas.

Katerina

Lovely conference outfits!
I love your dresses - look wonderful. I agree with Joy - the dark leggings with the metallic shoes would look very good with the first dress. I quite like the cardi with it.
The second outfit is very nice, not too dark to my eye, The floral dress is lovely and cool with the dark leggings - great outfit. The ruffled cardi is cute - not dated. I love the casual friday outfit - it is excellent. Overall you look beautiful, professional and relaxed elegant. Perfectly dressed for a conference.

Becky

Thanks, Joy, for the suggestion of another topper for 1/2. I do have a cream/white jacket that I have never thought to pair with this. I would probably not travel with it, though, since I think it would wrinkle easily. From your comment, I think I miscommunicated re: 3/4. The top is a medium blue, combined with black and jade green in a subtle pattern. I meant that the jacket in this pic is not the topper I usually wear with it. The usual topper is a lighter silver gray, which seems to lighten up the whole outfit.

krishnidoux, thanks for your positive comments. The last outfit makes me feel happy, which may be why it comes across that way!

Katerina, thank you for your kind words. I felt confident in these outfits, and I'm glad you also thought they were well-suited for the activity.

Brooklyn

I think the first outfit would look great with dark 3/4 leggings and light shoes. Good idea for dealing with air con.
Love the blue top on you, the floral dress and the last outfit.
I think the ruffled cardigan might work better with a wrap dress or wrap top (a more open neckline). But I don’t think it’s dated.

jussie

I like all the outfits. Beautiful dresses. Nice looks. I like the ruffle cardi.
Not a criticism at all, I love the ballet flats, but you could experiment with some different shoe trends if you wanted to jazz things up a bit :).

Kathie

Super cute outfits. I particularly like your floral dress. Could you try the top and shoes in 3/4 with cropped pants? I like the way the leggings + ballet flats show some ankle, so was wondering how that could work for 3/4. Your casual outfit is perfect.

Brooklyn, I don't actually have any wrap tops or dresses. They don't seem to work very well on me (not enough bust to fill them out). I see how the ruffle cardi would do well with an open neckline, though. I'll have to think about what I have that might work.

Thanks for the kind words, jussie. I usually do wear flat shoes for comfort and don't actually have a lot of other options. I have been toying with an open toe wedge sort-of gladiator style. I think that might be a winner.

Kathie, I wish I did have cropped black pants! I have been looking around for some but haven't found the right ones yet. I think they'd make for a lot of great transitional season looks.

JAileen

I used to freeze at conferences. Why the rooms had to be so cold is beyond me. Dressing for that is very challenging. You’ve done a good job making it work. I especially like the dress in 5/6. Your hair is very cute, too.

Suz

(website)

Once I had a work conference immediately following an NAS shopping trip. Was I ever glad to have those fall items in my suitcase! It was crazy! 30C outside (that's really hot) and inside, it felt like 32F!!

You have a handy solution in the leggings, though I agree it might work best if you toned them to the dress in #1. My favourite outfit is #7 -- it looks fun and flattering.

JAileen, I tend to run a bit on the cool side anyway, so I know if I'm comfortable, there are those who are feeling much too warm. Luckily this is predictable so I can prepare for the inevitable.

Suz, thanks for weighing in on the leggings for #1. I knew as soon as I saw the combo that I preferred the black leggings with it.

Staysfit

Do you have some lightweight white trousers that can work under the dress in the first picture? I think I would like it better than with the white leggings. I like the color, but I think the leggings don’t look refined enough for the dress. Or maybe they are just too sheer and a thicker pair would work better?

Aida

A nice little conference capsule! Too bad the AC was up so high, especially since both dresses looks so super cute without toppers Totally love #5 (midi+leggings, no topper) especially with the heavier concentration of light floral up top and sparser more-dark at the hem. I don't mind the white leggings in the first outfit but would prefer lighter shoes with it instead of the black to really extend the lines; the way you usually wear it, with the black leggings and black shoes, has this same effect but in black. #7 looks smashing!

Thanks for the suggestion, Staysfit. Unfortunately, I don't have lightweight white trousers as you suggest. I'm not sure the dress is roomy enough for trousers underneath; the leggings are pretty sleek. Your idea that the leggings might not be refined enough may be part of the problem, though the high contrast colors is what really threw me off, I think.

Thanks for the compliments, Aida. You may have put your finger on something that would help the first outfit: a lower contrast between legging and shoes for continuity.

lyn67

Great capsule, but I don't really like nr 1 with the white leggings, please wear it rather with black(and will look summery enough, as ankles are free) or sans leggings at all, it is a fab dress!

ETA: came back to say, if you really want to use the dress in nr 1 with white leggings, try it with some capri ones or with those which have some wide sheer lace on the hems,

only a few inches

from knee down.

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