Presenting at a conference...what to wear

[tak1ngchances]

I am presenting to 150 people at a conference in Spain later this month. It's kind of career-defining so I'm a tad nervous.

Our company has a smart-casual dress code.
I need something that meets the following criteria:
Layered in case air con is freezing (so cardi/jacket)
Below knee length
Does not show sweat patches
Very easy to move in

I was thinking cropped trousers, nude high heels, fitted shirt and little jacket.
I am size 6-8, brunette, tiny boobs, decent legs.

What do you think?

I was thinking a dress, only because if you pick the right or it's more comfortable and "together" than seperates?

No, sorry. I think if you are to be taken seriously you have to be very conservative. I'm a lawyer and the dress code is basically to make yourself invisible so that people are listening to what you're saying not distracted by how pretty your blouse is or isn't.

So I'd go for a lightweight navy, grey or black trouser suit, medium heels, white v necked t shirt or simple fitted white blouse, understated jewellery.

But your industry may be completely different, eg fashion, in which case my uniform would be wrong.

Well I work in marketing...the only people who wear suits are the lawyers and auditors

So it needs to be a bit more imaginative and also say creativity (a bit. We are pretty mainstream)

I personally wouldn't opt for cropped trousers - I think it's a hard look to pull off.

I'd go for a suit or dress and add creativity with bold accessories

I think your outfit sounds good but would go for ankle length cigarette trousers rather than cropped.

And perhaps lose the nude heels as they're a bit Colleen/wagtastic now - well unless they're suede which I do rather like.

Have you got any links of what you were planning?

Can I suggest you take a look at the Net-a-Porter website. They have a workwear section and if you click on the items, you will see how they accessorise the items. I often look for inspiration.

Agree with dress (I also work loosely in marketing) mainly because dresses are just more flattering imo - think it's very easy to get crop trews wrong... Accessories to add omph/individuality.

PS Good luck

I'd do a simple shift dress thing with flat/low heels and hair up maybe. Well, I wouldn't at all as I'd run away screaming at the thought of presenting to 150 people

What about your outfit exactly as you say, but swap the cropped trousers for wide legged ones or palazzo pants? I wonder if they may present you as a stronger character than cropped trousers? And don't worry too much about the outfit, but try to look "polished" (good hair, make up accessories). Oh, and be comfortable, e.g. If you're not great in heels, wear flats. But as long as you're confident, engaging and animated your audience will love you no matter what you're wearing.

Good luck...it sounds very exciting!

Trousers:
www.johnlewis.com/310586/Product.aspx

www.johnlewis.com/323649/Product.aspx

www.johnlewis.com/316178/Product.aspx

Loads of great ideas here from some very stylish ladies. I do occasional presentations on a much smaller scale. Opened the link as I so often forget to account for my microphone - making sure I have a belt to clip the battery pack too and a sensible way to hide the wire & clip the mic itself near my mouth. For me (accountancy) this means a suit and blouse, nothing too ditzy as a pp said I want them to hear what I'm saying, not wonder about my earrings. This might not be an issue for you but didn't want to not say.

My absolute top tip for presenting at big conferences is to make sure you stand out against the background if the podium.

This does not mean wearing bright pink etc, but it does mean contrasting to the background. I always chose an outfit that has a light/dark top option eg dark suit with pale shirt/top or dark dress with pale cardigan. When you see the podium you can decide if you are going for dark or light.

Other absolute no nos are jangly dangly bracelets as they will be amplified and drive the audience mad. In fact I often take my watch off too.

Finally, if you are likely to be using a roving 'clip on' mic then your outfit will need somewhere to clip the bulky battery bit. So if you are wearing a dress, chose one with a belt or decent pocket! I would suggest trousers or skirt to avoid this isssue.

Good luck

Expensive, and with a tiny deodorant spray / perfume spray / pressed powder in your bag for all those pesky nerves!

When I was in a similar situation a few years ago I went to Oxford for the day, lots of expensive shops but not as daunting as London, and just picked an awesome black skirt suit from Hobbs. V v boring, so wore it with green suede heels and a fantastic necklace, then made sure I was much more marketing-funky for the rest of the conference.

My company also had a business - casual dress code, fecking nightmare to get just right. And getting the outfit just right is totally key to the massive confidence that will ace the presentation for you. Oh but it was widely ignored by directors and presenters, who generally dressed up a bit more.

Good luck!

I think the first reiss trousers look fab.

I always notice what people wear though [superficial]

I will be walking around a lot. I won't be wearing a mic. I am presenting with two other colleagues (so thankfully not all on my own). I think I will have a dress code chat with the two others so we are all at a similar level of formal/casual-ness

Good luck!

I'd definitely go minimal so nothing you're not ultra comfortable in and fairly sober but perhaps with a nice cuff and more interesting shoes. God - I sound like I'm advising Theresa May

Cos could be a good shop to look in for that type of modern/interesting look.

Wow, 150 people with no mic?

I would be more worried about that than what I was wearing (and I'm pretty loud good at projecting). I am seriously impressed.

I work in publishing where everyone dresses like mad professors IYKWIM. When I present I usually wear a brightly coloured knee length dress and a (slimming fitted short) jacket with mid (sensible) heels. I like to move a lot and use my hands to show things on the slides. Keys to success: have lots of pictures and graphs on your slides (you want people to listen to you not read your slides), learn your presentation by hard and do not read it, move a lot with confidence and get used to the sound of your own (loud confident) voice. It takes me on average 2 days to prepare a presentation (without the slides) and I never use more than 2 slides per min (ie max 40 slides for a 20 min slot, less if I can). Sorry this has turned out to be more than outfit advice...good luck!!

So you are hoping to rock some variation on this outfit but hopefully with better shoes:
www.net-a-porter.com/product/183168

Speaking as an accountant and occasional presenter I'd say it doesn't say 'take me seriously' as much as a trouser suit with full length pants would. I personally always wear something tried and tested and comfortable when presenting as you have enough to contend with with nerves and 150 people looking at you expectantly. You don't want to be tugging at your clothes or worrying about tripping as you walk across the stage. So I would choose something less fashion and add a few creative accessories to steal someone else's phrase. But I'm an accountant so we may have a different set of rules!

I would wear something like this:
www.net-a-porter.com/product/189896

or

www.net-a-porter.com/product/178731

or even

www.net-a-porter.com/product/182806

I will be doing a product demo, showing a video and getting the audience to do things. They are broken down into groups so I will do the same prsentation 3 times to 50 people. I will probably only use 5 or 6 ppt slides. So it's all v interactive and energetic. *sigh.
I would rather trousers than a dress as I'll be picking things up, bending down etc.
So now I am thinking black slim fitting ankle-length trousers, a plain fitted top and an interesting necklace/cuff. I hear you on th nude shoes mrsCB but they ar v comfortable nod leg-lengthening with the short trews. They are lkbenett patent ones.

Oh I do like the lkb ones and provided they're comfortable well leg lengthening is never to be sniffed at

Something like this could look good with the nude heels. I'd probably go for the classic crisp white shirt with and maybe a 3/4 sleeve jacket in beige or ecru.

Also, to cut down on the sweat patch risk, use anti-perspirant on your cleavage and between your shoulder blades - as I discovered on my first trip to the Far East, it's not just your pits that perspire (or should that be 'glow' ).

If you are moving about a lot then you need trousers. I'd go for plain trousers and a bright, tailored jacket, heels but not too high or spiky. Zara is your friend.