What do I wear to a conference for work?

[howtonotdothis]

Newly qualified, never done anything like this before. My manager has asked if I’ll come with her to a national conference to represent our company. I have no idea what to wear. I’m thinking I have to go proper dressy, but I don’t know if it needs to be a full dress.

For context, I work in health and social care and usually wear black trousers and a decent enough top with flats.

I’m not sure if my manager will be wearing a dress. We don’t have a uniform that we have to stick to or anything like that.

The quickest way to find out would be to ask your manager.

I don’t know anything about your workplace culture but I highly doubt that anyone who doesn’t usually wear dresses would be required to buy one for a conference. It’s work, not a party - you just need to look professional. Trousers and a neat / smart top or shirt should be fine. Perhaps some speakers might wear a jacket? Those in dresses would be people who like dresses.

For myself I tend to think black trousers look like uniform unless they’re unusually expensive. Grey flannel, camel, dark green might all look more … distinguished.

But honestly - just ask her!

I've been to a few cybersecurity expo's the last one was co-located with a h&s at work expo and everyone was just wearing standard business casual unless they had a work uniform like a branded polo top.

I was wearing a Popsy dress with dinosaurs on one day and books on the next day.

Oh, wear comfy shoes, you walk a lot and get given tonnes of merch, I usually stock up on a years worth of free notebooks and pens, but they hand out mugs, thermos's, t-shirts and all sorts. DD has a wide range of cybersecurity giant T-shirts for nighties.

Can you find any photos on line of last year's conference?

If you are in Health and Social Care very few are 'dressy'. Most attendees will be totally casual. I go to medical conferences and would wear jeans.

If you are representing your company at a stall then obvs smarter but not crazy smart.

Agree make sure you come home with a lifetime supply of pens.

Have you thought about having a Google/ social media (LinkedIn) search of previous years events and seeing what the general dress sense appears to be in previous attendees?

smart business type outfit ?

Black trousers and decent top are fine but add a smart jacket. Flat shoes are fine but need to be smart. You will see some women in that bodycon dress high heel thing but that certainly won’t be the norm in your field.

I was at an event like that last month.
Lots of women were wearing black trousers, smart top and dressy trainers or loafers.
There were about a quarter of the women wearing dresses and jackets. Then a few in trousers with a top and matching waistcoat. Men were shirts and smarts trousers , about a quarter with ties.