Conference dinner outfit

[CommonFishDiseases]

Conference dinner tomorrow night - what to wear? I'll have been at work all day (I dress smartly for teaching), home for sorting kids out before going to conference dinner in the evening. I am junior (PhD student), want to network and don't much like casual wear in professional situations...

And I know it's a tiresome question! But I have a presentation to write and seminar to plan etc etc tonight so not much time to think about it!

What field are you in? In my field being a woman is sufficient novelty. No need to dress up.

OK - I just wear what I usually wear, really. I might go to the effort of wearing something that's not 20 years old, but that's about it.

That's not very helpful, is it? I usually wear casual stuff like jeans, or casual dresses. Maybe it's more descriptive if I say that I wear stuff with trainers or boots. Nobody's thrown me out yet. On the other hand, nobody has begged me to work with them yet either.

Conference dinner? I tend to wear some kind of fitted but not tight knee-length dress, usually with some kind of patterned fabric, or smart knee-length skirt with plain fitted top/T-shirt. Dressed down with my trusty Fly boots and up with a nice necklace/bracelets. Not uber-smart but a step above casual. I think I actually wore this: class="underline">-J0074&istCompanyId=a40e1fa1-0635-4a1b-8d9a-2caa763eeee2&istItemId=xappixipwm&istBid=wzwt&cclid=v31577a2f1-90f3-5642-8dfe-40bb4f2c441a&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI24L8guDT2gIVCZ3tCh11IgqCEAQYASABEgJFvD_BwE to the last one, if it helps!

NeverEver I am in social sciences, which generally requires a woolly jumper and some statement earrings

If I can get out of the house wearing something vaguely clean and child-fluid free that will be a bonus!

Queen that dress is lovely. I will go smart casual then, roughly the same as my clothes for teaching I suppose.

Oh dear. Statement earrings definitely outside my field of expertise.

Have fun at your dinner!

I veer between dressing up or just going in my normal clothes. But I generally dress quite smartly for conferences. Not jacket & suit smart - I like dresses and interesting or striking shoes (can't wear earrings). In my scholarly circle I'm apparently noted for my shoes ...

But I like being a bit dressy for a Conference dinner. But really, anything goes in my field (deeply Humanities).

Also it depends if there's dancing. There's a big international conference I go to most years (great way to see the world) which often has epic dancing. And the conference is for a field where there are often quite good dancers, so not too much embarrassing dad-dancing.

RagingGirl, wow, I don't anticipate any dancing! Your crowd sound fun

I have gone for comfort and understated chic - black sparky jumper with black pencil skirt and knee high boots plus obligatory dangly earrings...

OP that sounds perfect! I usually choose something newish, add something sparkly like a soft jacket or cardie and put on some lipstick. I'm a boots and earings girl too. Though girl is probably stretching it a bit now!

Black trousers, black suede boots with a 3 inch tapered heel and a silky bright or patterned blouse always looks a bit dressed up without being over-done and is fine for dancing. I don't tend to wear dresses to these things on principle as I never wanted to draw attention to my body at work-related events when I was younger (though at my age now it would be fine as it would be unlikely to elicit unwanted attention anymore )

Thank you all for your kind responses. I had a fab time and will know for next time that being smart-casual with perhaps a memorable feature (like the earrings!) works well.

Good to read as I am off tomorrow and stressed about the eve. I hate trousers on me (it's not a good look as I am so pear shaped) but have opted for a dress. Have some sparkle so that fits with what naked said. My dress is not fancy!