Your conference style? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Your conference style?

Roxanna

Veteran

I'm at conferences a lot this Month, and. I've seen people in a wide range of outfits. it made me wonder: what's your conference style?

The conferences I attend tend to be quite formal, and I'm building relationships with key stakeholder groups so I have to look the part. That being said, I *always* dress for comfort at conferences: layers to combat the as arctic a/c, comfortable shoes, waistbands that won't dig after 12 hours.

My conference uniform has become: a line sheath dress with thin merino knit underneath, thermal opaque tights, leather jacket (I have a cozy one with twill lining), comfortable booties, and luxe shawl in my bag.

I envy those women in sleeveless sheath dresses and sky high heels, or thin silk blouses and wide legged pants, but the look is just not practical for me.

What's your conference style?

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from bella

Aurore

Veteran

I don't attend conferences and exhibitions very often, but when I do I try to go as business formal as possible. As I am rather young for my responsibilities and work in a very masculine domain, I also keep my outfits simple, understated, and definitely not the slightest bit sexy.

Your conference outfit is great, both professional and creative. I love how you use your brooches!

Sisi

Veteran

Your outfit is brilliant: comfortable, pretty and professional. I do not attend conferences but if I would, I would take inspiration from you.

Now that I think ... a couple years ago I went to a sort of conference in the evening and ... I got it all wrong! (well, the weather did not cooperate at all).

Anonymous

I think the look you described for yourself is perfect. Sky high heels aren't modern anymore -they just make the wearer look out of touch. (IMHO). Any conferences I attend are quite informal (book publishing, mainly) and fashion is not exactly forefront.

rachylou

Veteran

I like to dress like a stewardess. Pretty but still in a suit, albeit a non-suit suit.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Pretty much my normal style. I've just completed a 2 day Conference yesterday, and yesterday I wore my long silk olive and coral camo top, long olive pants, and newish coral sandals. Shoes had to be comfy as a bit of a walk from the hotel. On the first day I was even a bit more casual as I'd had a 6.30 am flight ( ouch, was so tired listening to the sessions) so had layers and my animal print sneakers. Love your brooches!

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

For writing conferences, my style is what I'd call smart casual. Denim, maybe a dress or skirt or two, booties, sandals (depending on weather), jackets. Definitely something for frigid AC if it is summer.

For teaching and academic related, similar.

When I worked in the fitness business I wore the same kinds of things, too. And workout gear.

When I'm presenting I like to have something bright, structured, and "signature" if I can.

anchie

Veteran

I usually stick with jeans and blazer combo. Top and shoes varies with the season. But I work in IT so other participants are mostly very casually dressed guys.

Katerina

Veteran

I like your conference style very much. Stylish, polished and comfortable.

I usually wear separates - a jacket and a pair of trousers with a blouse and a scarf.

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Roxanna

Veteran

@Katerina I love these! You look so polished, dashing and dramatic. I loved your recent WIW too!

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you Roxanna, it is very kind!

Kathie

Veteran

Most of the conferences I attend are focused on early stage investing in the health care industry. I wear a lot of separates- pencil skirts, jackets, dressier knit tops, sheath dresses, and booties or heeled oxfords. If I have room in my luggage, and there’s a reception that doesn’t involve walking, then I throw in some 4” heels for fun, but that’s rare.

The Cat

Veteran

Dresses or skirts with blazers. Fabrics, colours and styling will depend on the season and climate.

Your conference style looks very nice.

gryffin

Veteran

Roxanna - you look professional, elegant and unique!! I don't think it gets better than that!! For me, No contest - the black power suit buttoned (in this case snapped) w a black jacquard lace cami for the play of feminine and masculine. The VB suit is my current favorite - thanks to all on the forum who recommended it. EF coax platform booties. Those baby's are bada** like the flamenco boots from strictly ballroom. They are comfy but power shoes. Black trench and black crossbody bag. I wear my dog necklace or real statement necklace - not costume) and often an interesting pin (vintage, antique or breed specific jewelry) as a conversation piece and to make me memorable when networking. I will wear the same necklace throughout the conference or a related piece. People really respond to that.

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unfrumped

Veteran

Love your conference style and layering! I very much have to dress warmly or for sure have options to layer or run back to my room if staying in the conference hotel.
At this point I really only attend CME -type conferences and don’t have to “ impress “ anyone but still like to make a good impression, if that make sense! No denim for me. Flats. A good jacket. Polished and coordinated but a notch or 2 more relaxed as a conference attendee. If I were still presenting or do that again, then a notch up.
I do like to fit the location/ venue slightly. For example, if summer and held at a beach resort, I love colors like olive, flax and love a linen or cotton blazer or safari jacket. Although I think “ conference travel black” is always in style for professional women!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Blazers because I am always cold.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

Love your conference style! I wear one of my black suits with a blouse. I resolved last fall I'll buy non-neutral tops for my next conference, I am f
Tired of grey/white.
I bring heels with me but walk in flats to and from the venue

Mainelady

Veteran

Your conference style is beautiful and well thought out, to meet your comfort needs.

If I am attending an educational workshop, conference or seminar but not presenting I dress in a polished smart casual look, like Suz mentioned. If I am a presenter I will step up my look a bit more by wearing a dress, skirt or slacks with a blazer or smart jacket.

When I had the honor of co -presenting at an international literacy conference, the 4 of us on my team met ahead of time to plan our outfits for our presentation. We wanted to look professional and cohesive. We also compared notes on appropriate attire for the other meetings, panel discussions and sessions we would be attending over the 3 days. It was important for us to represent our state, district and schools well. We had the opportunity to do a lot of networking while there. It was an amazing opportunity and a lot of fun planning our conference capsules together.

DonnaF

Veteran

I will most likely be attending a conference in mid-June in San Francisco just as an attendee and not as a presenter/panelist. I will be commuting by public transportation, and last time panels were split between two hotels or maybe among three. Yup, I sure learned that a few pairs of my shoes were only for light walking. Also, one session was so crowded that I had to sit on the floor. Since I will qualify for the senior rate and have much grayer hair, I am hoping that if another session is that crowded that someone will offer me a chair.

I will dress in some version of business casual or smart casual. I have the NAS cropped flares below in black and navy so will probably wear them on two of the four days. Maybe my harem pants on the most casual day. And maybe last year’s NAS dress with or without a white shirt underneath and with or without pants underneath.

Another consideration: There will probably be a buffet, and I am a clumsy slob. Almost everything I own is machine washable, but I will also be avoiding anything that has the potential to drag through food or otherwise embarrass me!

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bella

(website)

Veteran

This is my conference capsule from last summer:
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ce-capsule
My dress code is smart casual, and this is a good representation of my smart casual euro chic style.