Need outfit for major conference presentation

[googlenut]

First major conference presentation. Got a lovely dress out of coast but husband said it was too patterned - you noticed the dress before be. So I need something quite neutral but with a bit of style.
I'm 5ft 3, size 8. Usually need to go for petite sizes especially if tailored. Have had a look at next tailored stuff which looks good on website but then looks a bit cheap when you see it in the shop.
Anyone got any ideas?

I frequently present to academics. I usually wear a dress rather than a suit. My only advice is be careful about your shoes. I once presented at a conference on a day when I was going swing dancing with my sister immediately after the event. I was wearing a 50s style dress and Irregular Choice shoes. The twitter stream (very common in educational tech events) consisted almost entirely of comments about my shoes.

What people notice does depend on your audience though - I presented to 500 physicists and Drs with big video screens when I was feeling very self concious about my newly fused wrist and a finger that was pointing backwards, and I use my hands a lot.

Afterwards I mentioned to someone about this and they didn't know what I meant

What I'm wearing is more about how I will feel. I'm under no illusions that an academic audience won't really give a monkeys!

Thats v true Babybarrister - prior to a big conference (where I will talk 10 hours a day, plus seminar presentations to big groups), its eyebrow shape, eyelash extensions, and shellac nails as I need the added omph

Saw someone today with the perfect outfit on (but wasn't in a position to ask her where she got it). It was a brown dress (I suit autumn colours)!with a cardigan which was a sort of tomato red but less red in it, a deep rather that bright colour. Then she had a scarf which tied in the two colours. Looked not overly smart but really well dressed.
So where do I start putting that together who does nice coloured cardigans?

I always seem to get super hot when presenting so bear the underarm issues in mind. Light jacket or little cardigans are good.

Am a very similar size to you OP. Last conference I went to I wore a DvF wrap dress and suit jacket one day and this dress. Second the Banana Republic recommendations but they come up quite big, you may be size 2 instead of 4 particularly in dresses.

I love that dress but they only have size 16 left!