What can I wear for a conference next month!!!

[Spaceprincess]

Hi, I work in Healthcare and next month I'm going to a 3 day conference including 'Gala Dinner' ha.
I'm not uniformed so wear cheap tunicy dresses for work with thick tights or leggings. It's a pretty relaxed environment appearance wise.
I'm also slightly alternative.
I'm 51, 5'4 size 12 but have G cup boobs and no waist. Haven't worn fitted things with no stretch for years.
I want to look professional but also like me?
Last time I went to a conference was about 6 years ago and I was 2 stone lighter.
What would be the right thing to wear?
I'm happy to buy a couple of things and more or less only wear dresses.
I have included pics of me for reference

I think you would look lovely in something like this

www.oasisfashion.com/v-neck-linen-mix-tailored-midi-dress/BAA01331.html?color=135

Conferences can be pretty casual. I would stick with tunic dresses or similar as you will be comfortable in them but upgrade to better fabric / quality. Pair with smart flat shoes and a nice necklace to dress it up and you are ready to go.

For the gala dinner something more dressy- black dress or jumpsuit is an easy option.

Thank you both, I love that Oasis dress!
My mum was trying to steer me into Next trouser suits!

I find gala dinners at conferences tend to be timed after the sessions, to avoid people disappearing so many people are still in 'work gear'. Unless all attendees are in one giant hotel, then some people go back to rooms to change while others hit the bar! So I wouldn't worry too much about going all out glam. I would however have a jacket or something as conference rooms are usually baltic! They are the one place I love a pashmina 😁to wrap up in during sessions then stuff in a bag later.

Just in defence of your mum and a trouser suit or probably more trouser and jacket to avoid being too matchy matchy - they actually work well for 3 day conferences. Day 1 travel up in trousers and teeshirt or top with jacket over for the conference, Day 2 (also usually day of gala dinner) dress with jacket over the top, remove jacket for slightly more glam gala look, Day 3 another travel day so back to the trousers/top combo for the last sessions and heading home. I get its not your look but for doubling up they work well! Something like this www.oasisfashion.com/lori-crepe-wide-leg-trouser/AAA06573.html

Yes I was going to say a fun jumpsuit for the dinner, maybe a fun print if you lean towards alternative. A recent conference I went to was not super smart at all. Mainly people in dark jeans and light (weight) jumpers with flat shoes/ankle boots/'smart' trainers.

I'm at a conference right now. It's quite large and there's a mixture of dressing. Nobody is formally dressed. Smart casual is the general framework but it's quite a wide band - someone's smart casual might be my underdressed and vice versa.

One thing I usually forget but didn't this time is footwear. There's often a lot of walking between speakers/auditoriums at conferences and the floors are often stone. Can be a lot of standing between events too or at coffee breaks. Wear comfortable shoes!