Giving a conference presentation in Germany - what to wear?

[mosaica]

Hi,

This is happening in only three weeks and I have no idea what to wear. It is not an overly formal event but I know looking good will increase my confidence. The audience is about 150 people, most of them teachers or people working in education in one way or another.

I am a size 12 brunette in my early 40 with a reasonably proportioned figure, good legs but a bit of a tummy. Black does not suit me at all. What can I wear? I can spend a bit of money, particularly if it's something I can wear a lot for work. Thanks!

www.johnlewis.com/havren-tuck-neck-shift-dress-fuchsia/p627815 I like this

I used to run conferences nd I've seen a lot of people get it very right (and very wrong) over the years. You want to look smart but not too dowdy, which is a tricky one. I'd say Hobbs is your friend for this kind of thing...a nice shift dress with a black or neutral cardie over the top will be smart but not as boxy or restrictive as a suit jacket.

I've also seen a few women looking fab in pencil skirts or other fitted knee-length skirts with a soft and slightly baggy cream or white blouse tucked in. This also helps create a waist but draws attention away from the tummy! Again, you can chuck a smart cardigan over it so you don't need a jacket unless you want one. Good way to introduce some colour if you want to stand out too, I had a lovely green skirt I wore quite a lot which got a lot of compliments.

Will try to fond some links...

Nice fitted dress?m.hobbs.co.uk/product-detail?productid=0113-9897-155L000&productvarid=0113-9897-155L000-BLACK%20IVORY-18&refpage=dresses&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=150

m.hobbs.co.uk/product-detail?productid=0113-7808-9125L00&productvarid=0113-7808-9125L00-MULTI-12&refpage=skirts&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=150

Skirt shape for a good waistline

m.jaeger.co.uk/V%20Neck%20Stand%20Collar%20Blouse/650034G,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_650034G_color=09200&dwvar_650034G_size=8&start=35&q=silk%20blouse

Relaxed silk blouse

Sorry, first time posting links, not sure what I did wrong with the first one! Hope that's some use, of course it depends on your style but i do find layers are good as you never know how hot or cold the room will be either! Good luck with the presentation!

Are you presenting to German teachers? Because they're some of the most laid-back, scruffy people I know, who frequently go to work in jeans and t-shirt. Just about anything you choose to wear that looks new is going to impress them.

That fuchsia dress, for instance, would cause a group of German teachers to stare in amazement, but for the wrong reasons.

I would go for a casual, lightish trouser suit with informal blouse (not white cotton with a collar type). If it's warm you take off the jacket part. There is much less of a tradition in Germany of women wearing dresses or skirts. Angie Merkel always wears coloured trouser suits.

Thanks, some useful suggestions there. I think the pencil skirt plus blouse idea is good, any recommendations? I tell you what I would love... to find the perfect silk blouse, like the one the leading actress wears in The Fall. Where are her blouses from????? Somebody must know!

Nullius, thank you for your tip re German teachers - I did not know, but now you mention, most Germans I know do dress rather casually. That actually takes some pressure off me, as I have a couple of dresses which are probably not quite right for this sort of presentation in the UK, but might be fine in Germany.

More ideas?? Keep the links coming!

I like to see a day dress and knee boots on conference speakers. In my industry (related to education) it is seen as more creative than a suit or more bland 'business wear' but still smart.

I think your pencil skirt and silk blouse would be perfect. At the last conference I attended, a speaker had a pencil plain skirt, beigey-taupe-neutral colour, with a patterned silk blouse, tonal, not contrasting, nude patent high heels. It wasn't a conference for educators, but I remember thinking she looked just right. Not too over-the-top. The colours were lovely on hr and she looked well put together and interesting and effortless, without drawing attention away from her lecture.

What kind of colours suit you?

Oops, I meant she looked just right for any conference

I think I suit deep, rich colours, rather than pastel or black. I do love colour but i know it can be very easy to get it wrong. Where can i get a nice silk blouse from?