WTW: Presentation at academic type conference - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

WTW: Presentation at academic type conference

MsMaven

Veteran

I haven't had much time to comment in the last few weeks. I've been busy finishing a paper I will be presenting at a conference in a few weeks, I finished and turned it in a few days after our break-in.

I did read over posts on what to wear at academic conferences but still feel I need some advice.

I am not a graduate student or professor or academic, but I am writing a biography/history and my proposed topic for a presentation was accepted earlier this year. Now that it's done: what to wear?

I will be the first presenter on a panel at 9 am on a Saturday. The climate is generally mild, and I expect that in the morning it will be in the high 60s or so. DH suggests I wear dressy jeans and a jacket. I'm going to be doing a power-point presentation with several slides, which I've never done before. Don't worry, I'm going to practice a lot beforehand because we've been warned that time limits will be strictly enforced.

Any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to distract myself--I know I will be nervous, and I don't want to distract the audience. I've been to these conferences before but have never paid much attention to what anyone wore, not even the women. I certainly want to look and feel confident.

I haven't yet had the energy to try to put together some outfits and take photos. I will try to next week. No, wait! It's already next week. Time is flying by.

Any useful hints or ideas? Actually, it's been a few years since I've given any kind of a public speech or presentation. I remember back in the day women were advised to wear something red--but that isn't my best color any more.

Here I am with a trophy I won at a BPW speech contest some time in the 1980s. I need an updated look!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Mander

christieanne

Veteran

That sounds like a great opportunity!
You do want to focus on your presentation and keep the outfit with a low Fuss Free Factor (thanks to Claire for new term) so I would keep it simple - trouser (maybe a dark denim trouser jean if you think denim is ok), classic top and jacket. I wouldn't worry about a "power color" like we used to think of red but instead something that feels like "you".

If I was going into my own closet for this I would wear:
black slim trouser, raspberry pink knit top, charcoal ponte blazer , simple yet statement necklace
Or:
dark blue trouser jeans, cobalt blue lightweight knit sweater, black ponte blazer

I sort of have a formula obviously

Chrizzle

I used to go to a lot of academic conferences, and I work in an academic setting, and I think Christieanne is right on target. Trouser jeans will almost always be appropriate in those environments, being neither too dressy nor too casual. Can you post or describe some outfit possibilities?

Makrame

Veteran

I too think that Cristieanne makes really good suggestions. When I am unsure of the level of formality expected for a particular conference, I opt for non-denim pants. So I would probably go for a pair of trousers you like, a jacket (not a full suit, just a jacket that works with the pants but is non-matching) and a bright top.

Laurinda

Veteran

What is most important is that you feel comfortable, or even a bit empowered by what you wear. Following YLF will put you in good stead. Trouser jeans, comfortable footwear (I like the boost of a 2-3" heel), easy to move in top, and a topper that gives you a bit of polish. Nothing too fussy, and if you will use a cordless microphone have somewhere to attach the clip and a pocket for the battery pack.

PP advice: Definitely practice and use a remote if you have one available. I found the book "Beyond Bullet Points" very helpful http://beyondbulletpoints.com/ Short version: The more info on the slides, the less attention people will pay to the speaker.

Is this Saturday morning talk on an early or late day within the meeting? Just mentioning because if it is later within the meeting don't take it personally if you get low attendance. Saturday mornings after the Friday night 'social' are often very quiet.

Best of luck with a great presentation!

ClaraT

Veteran

I third the dressy jeans/trouser jeans idea.

Make sure that whatever top you wear, the hem doesn't ride up when you gesture (sweep your arms around a bit to make sure). Ditto with potential gapping: you don't want the front of the shirt to pull or gap (either showing tummy or cleavage). (I know this sounds obvious but standing in front of the mirror is different than gesturing!)

Another suggestion: layer a light 3/4-length sleeve top with a jacket or sweater (whatever works best) so if you are nervous and hot, you can take off the outer layer.
Make sure your shirt does not show wet i.e. if you sweat you don't want it to be a visible dark ring.

As others have said, the main thing is for you to be comfortable. This is one time you want to put your clothes on and forget about them so you can concentrate on the task at hand.

Good luck and have fun.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Another vote for trousers or trouser jeans...If this was me I'd be tucking in a button down and wearing a skinny belt (and pointed-toe, kitten-heeled low pumps). I'd likely top it with either a long cardi, leather jacket or blazer. I'd probably also wear a somewhat statement-y necklace.

Practise in front of someone who makes you nervous! Good luck!

Makrame

Veteran

With regard to the slides, I just read somewhere to use Coco Chanel's principle when it comes to Powerpoint (“Before leaving for the day, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” ) Look at the presentation and avoid the urge to add more text or special effects; instead, remove some of the unnecessary effects, text, animations etc.

MsMaven

Veteran

Good idea, Makrame. I provided the raw material and DH worked on the slides, but some of them seem to be a bit fancy for a neophyte to manage. Still, they help tell the story. I only have 20 minutes and could easily do a 2-hour lecture.

Sarah A

Veteran

I worked for many years giving ppt based trainings. My recommendation would be to keep the slides simple and let them just touch on the idea you will expound upon. Also... transitions! It is common that people know what they will speak about for each slide, they say it then... look at the screen click the remote then pause and start again. A more polished approach is to think of your last idea from each slide then think of a sentence or two to tie it to the first idea of the next slide clicking the remote while you look out into the audience during your transition sentence. I will write these transition sentences down verbatim for the most part and after a few times practice my presentation really improves. I may or may not use the verbatim wording the presentation but after 2-3 time though it know my transitions. Also if you can video yourself practicing and then watch it that is more helpful than just giving it a go in the mirror. Keep your eye contact moving around the group, picking out a specific person to give eye contact to so you dont look wandering lost in a sea. Hmmmm... 10 million tips none about what to wear.... I think it was Lincoln that said if you wanted him to talk for 2 hours tomorrow would be fine, but if you need 15 minutes it will have to be next week.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations! Who is your biography about? This is terrific news!

And I agree with other that your first priority is polished comfort. In whatever way that means to you. For me, a jacket would be a must, plus one of my own personal best colours somewhere in the outfit. I love the idea of trouser jeans or trousers, but if you are more comfortable in a skirt, that's perfectly appropriate , too. If you worry it will seem too formal, a more relaxed ponte skirt or even a denim skirt might do, and booties or sandals vs. pumps.

Good luck, and please let us see pics when you can!!

Tanya

Veteran

You have already gotten a lot of great suggestions! I attend such conferences fairly often and agree that a jacket with pants/trouser jeans is perfect. I would personally go with a woven top: blouse or button-down shirt, so that in case you need to remove the jacket the outfit still looks polished. Some low-ish heels would be perfect as well.

Makrame

Veteran

Oh, I do the same exact thing as Sarah A - memorize the transition sentences between slides so that I don't have to go back because I suddenly realize that I moved to the next slide too early, don't stare at my next slide in surprise etc. etc.

I usually print out my slides as "handouts" = several slides per page - and use the printout to practice my talk. This way I can see all slides in front of me and think about when and how to make the transition.

MsMaven

Veteran

I've been looking through old photos for possible WIW posts and only found one jacket possibility. I am going to have to try on some outfits and post them.

I did find some interesting items though. I had some photos of some of my stolen jewelry I didn't realize I had. I also found some "before" photos of my hands pre-laser and as soon as I take some "afters" I will post them.

I have neck issues and have problems with shirts--they just don't fit me right and tend to shift. I do have a woven top or two that could work.

Thanks for all the PP suggestions. I've got a few weeks to practice.

Isis

Veteran

You've gotten a lot of great advice re: outfits. I would feel great in trousers, a jacket and a blouse, and low-heeled shoes. Make sure you can move, and that you can clip the mike to something (like a collar).

I give a ton of powerpoint lectures, both at conferences and to students.

Off hand, I can think of these tips:

1. The advice to concentrate on the wording for your transitions (and the beginning) is great!
2. Don't use fades/action , etc. for your slides. It is a distraction.
3. Keep your powerpoint slides uncluttered, with minimal words; use pictures instead.
3a. Title each slide with your "take home message" for that slide.
4. Resist bullet points. (only 1-2 slides with bullet points per presentation/ only 3 bullet points/slide; 7 or fewer words/bullet point).
5. Resist Microsoft backgrounds; white or dark blue is best. Use Sans serif fonts that are BIG (i.e. arial, not trans roman).
6. Red does not show up well for your fonts. Use white or yelllow.
7. A picture is worth 1000 words!
8. A good rule of thumb is about 1 side/minute of presentation.
9. Practice! Enlist your friends and husband!
10. Have fun! You are talking something you know about and that you are passionate about! That's an irresistible combination!

Jonesy

Veteran

I've presented at academic conferences, so I have a sense of what works, but I think it's probably pretty discipline-specific. For example, I rarely see presenters wearing denim trousers, so I would not recommend those (but maybe within your world/discipline this is the norm).

I agree 100% that the simpler the slides for your PP, the better. After all, you want them to look at your fab face for most of the time, not at the slides.

Isis, I'm curious about your "beware the bullet points" tip. What do you use instead?

Isis

Veteran

Well, I do use bullet points for the conclusion. (only 1 slide with 3 bulllet points for the most important points). I try to use graphics as much as possible. Actual data, or a picture that summarizes the data. And a model at the end that is graphical. This may be easier in the sciences but I really think that if you have too many words/slide, the audience gets confused because they can't read the slide AND listen to the speaker at the same time.....humans can't multitask!

Jonesy

Veteran

Aaah, interesting.

sarah

Veteran

I love this short video about how to avoid death by powerpoint.

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/ione/e.....ation.html

You've gotten great advice about outfits. I would definitely wear a jacket if it were me, with either trousers or a skirt.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

In my field jeans are fairly typical, but many people dress up a little bit if they are giving a paper. Not always, though.

For my talk a couple of weeks ago I wore a grey jersey pencil skirt, a white/blue/black blouse, black linen suit jacket, and some low-heeled brogue like shoes. But I could have worn trouser-type jeans and that would have been fine, too.

As for the presentation itself, my only comment is *please* don't read out your slides to the audience! It drives me nuts when people do that, but I have seen everyone from nervous undergrads to eminent scholars show a slide full of text and then proceed to read every word, usually in an extremely dull monotone. I even once saw a guy who read out the citations and the image captions, too!! As in he read out "Photo of Bob's house, Bob 2010 page 15". Ack. Don't be that guy.