what to wear for a gala dinner of a conference

[hettie]

I am presenting a poster at an acadmic conference (I'm doing a Phd) and have an invite to the glala dinner (it's in a hotel). Can't find any dress code. Does anyone have a clue what I should wear?

I've just been buying something to wear to the conference I'm off too in a couple of weeks. I've got a blue tunic type top with very pretty sleeves, lighter coloured trousers, navy heels and some silver jewellery.

Both those work well. I even have the Davinia dress in black!

I go to psychology conferences a lot and the Mango dress linked to would be good, although I might opt for shorter sleeves. Personally, I also wear sleeveless little black dresses (like this) because I can easily dress them up with jackets and accessories and they go with everything (many hotels are freezing because of A/C). However, nothing strapless, satiny and cleavagey - they will make you feel out of place. It's not the red carpet, it's just a meeting with fellow professionals. However, psychologists tend to be pretty young women, so you'll see others who are wearing pretty dresses and fabulous shoes. Black trousers and a pretty top are a good option too.

As a PhD student, you may want to show that you are (relatively) starving and worthy of further grant/ travel award / mentor support. Hence, dress prettily but not too well - you don't want to look too well off :D So Mango, Zara etc decent high street clothes are perfect and no you shouldn't do Prada unless you want to look like you have a trust fund. If you want to invest a bit more money, you can buy something you can wear forever, but it's not a requirement.

well the davinia dress is well well out of my budget.....the next one looks nice.....
will try on and see

Stop press......
DH (did I mention he is a lovely lovely man) took the kids out at the weeknd and came back with a dress (for me obviously!). It's a karen millen number fitted ish but not too tight, brown/khaki, belted with some simple button and zip details- it looks lovely on and can be dressed up and down.
Interestingly he bought it as he feels I need to feel/look the part so it's sort of an investment....

Are you sure he's not a mumsnetter?

He and the dress both sound lovely

Sounds lovely!

would def. go for a black shift style, knee length dress (with or without sleeves) and you will get loads of wear from it for years

Your DH is a star! Lucky hettie :)

That sounds like a lovely dress. What a wonderful DH :)

awww I know thanks for eveyones help though....