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Original poster

I'm going to be a speaker/panelist outfit help

76 replies

Lndnmummy · 14/08/2023 21:05

Calling all you lovely lot. I'm going to be speaker/finalist later in the autumn. Financial services, high profile. I feel rubbish about myself. I am short and v overweight (working on this but it is more of a long term thing). I don't want to wear a suit because it does not suit (sorry for pun) me at the moment. I am short, apple shape and have a large chest. I would preferably prefer a colour to black so am thinking green or blue. High heels a given due to my height. Budget wise I'm looking at £300 max.

I am thinking a dress. My usual go to is COS or Massimo Dutti but I just don't know with this one. Help!

OP posts:
Mountainormolehills · 14/08/2023 21:12

I do a lot of public speaking and I almost always wear separates as you don’t know what mic you’re going to get. If it’s a battery pack one then you need some sort of waistband or somewhere to tuck it in and I don’t want it in my knickers!
If you want a dress effect you could have a matching two piece? I usually wear a blouse and trousers, or a skirt and a simple top. If I know that I’m not being miked up and I’m just using a hand held then a nice dress from Reiss, Cos or similar - a sort of interview level dress IYSWIM?
Do you have any links to anything you like?

HundredMilesAnHour · 14/08/2023 21:12

Do you know if you'll be standing or seated? I'm also in FS and have been a panellist a number of times and there seems to be an annoying habit of some places having panellists sitting on high stools/chairs (so bar stool height) on stage in front of the audience. As a result, I tend to err on the side of caution and wear trousers. Whereas if I'm presenting I know I'm standing so then I wear a dress.

Green or blue sounds good. Definitely no prints, and if you're on the shorter side, block colour is better.

cruffinsmuffin · 14/08/2023 21:14

Ooo what colour is your hair / what tone is your skin? What colours tend to suit you?

You could do something swish like a lovely navy wrap skirt and then a complimentary colour silky blouse in a nice steel grey, blush pink or jewel tone? I'm very fair skinned and dark haired and tend to like those colours on me. Also large chested! Wrap tops / blouses are my friend personally, they don't accentuate my chest but also don't hide it under teams of fabric making me look bigger.

Block colours and avoid prints (can look fussy imo) - are you walking around and standing or sitting behind a panel?

CrapBucket · 14/08/2023 21:17

Avoid anything where you might flash your knickers(eg if in a dress perched on a bar stool) and avoid thin stripes that will make camera go fuzzy.

Also you are there for your intelligence so what anyone thinks of your appearance is Not The Point and they can go screw themselves.

Original poster
Lndnmummy · 14/08/2023 22:12

You are wonderful! Thank you so much for all your pointers. The mike thing I had no idea about, thank you! I am dreading the bar stool one. Dreading it. I am 5.1 so always have to climb up them like a toddler.

In terms of colouring I am blonde/blue eyes.

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Original poster
Lndnmummy · 14/08/2023 22:12

will send some links now

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mynameiscalypso · 14/08/2023 22:55

I agree with PP saying trousers. I often speak at panels and have been caught out a few times in a dress/skirt. I normally wear black skinny trousers and ankle boots and then a lighter coloured top but nothing in too crazy a pattern, especially if the panel discussion is being filmed. I have some nice silk shirts in muted patterns that I find work well. I find suit jackets don't really work for me when sitting down - although they're helpful for mikes.

I always really stress about my clothes because it feels like the bit I can control most so I totally get it.

CrapBucket · 14/08/2023 23:01

The third one is lovely! The first one I think would swamp most people (and reminds me too much of a Handmaids Tale wife) the second one is beautifully swishy but without pockets. The third one is perfect. I like to wear patterns because I am clumsy and likely to spill coffee down myself on a day when it most matters, or get sweaty armpits, and the pattern helps disguise any mishaps.

Mountainormolehills · 14/08/2023 23:06

I like the first and second ones, I would be worried about a lot of leg showing with the third. I would get the sleeves altered on the first though.
Im also 5’1 and they seem to love putting us on bar stools! I wore white trousers and a navy silk blouse for one of my last in person talks, and a green dress for the very last one. I will always choose a dress if I know I’m going to be standing and either using a handheld mike or no mike

Original poster
Lndnmummy · 14/08/2023 23:11

Thanks so much everyone, all your advice is so much appreciated. The bar stools man, they are really stressing me out. I am not at all worried about the speaking. Just fretting about the stools!

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Girlattheback · 14/08/2023 23:12

I was going to suggest Reiss as they now do a petite range Reiss petite dress I like a pattern (or dark colour) when I’m presenting, I am prone to spills - only ever when I’m somewhere smart 💆their petite trousers fit beautifully.

Reiss Blue Tabitha Petite Animal Print Midi Dress - REISS

Shop for Reiss Blue Tabitha Petite Animal Print Midi Dress online at REISS

https://www.reiss.com/g221810s7/192145#192145

Changingplace · 14/08/2023 23:13

In terms if colours, does the event have a particular brand/theme? Just in case it’s worth considering for what outfit you pick.

I think you should ask about the seating, I work in conferences/events and personally always aim for comfy bucket type chairs rather than stools, I want my panelists to feel relaxed :)

Good shouts about mic pack, if they give you a wireless mic rather than handheld it’ll need attaching to something so a belt/separates is better than dropping it down the back of a dress!

Original poster
Lndnmummy · 14/08/2023 23:14

Thank you again all. I have some lovely navy trousers that hang surprisingly well even with all the excess weight. Perhaps I should focus on a drapey nice quality blouse type thing?

OP posts:
Original poster
Lndnmummy · 14/08/2023 23:20

Maybe something like this with my navy trousers? Only issues are I would not be able to drink any coffee all day and my husband says they are something only Margaret Thatcher would wear. Not a huge problem as he isn't going to the event!🤣

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NatashaDancing · 15/08/2023 00:06

Lndnmummy · 14/08/2023 22:47

The green is a possibility.

The navy and white one looks , to my eye, far too fussy for the event. I've done fair a amount of speaking at conferences and couldn't imagine wearing that.

The dress in your other link would be good too, if the cuffs fasten- if not and they're meant to hang loose it'll be a complete pain and distraction.

This is Max Mara filtered for midi length with full sleeve or 3/4 sleeve.

Max Mara dresses

TossacointoHenryCavill · 15/08/2023 00:20

One trick that might work is to wear a basic top the same colour as the trousers (could be like a silk camisole/shell type thing, or merino wool if that’s suitable for the weather/air conditioning, no sleeves needed) then something more interesting - I’d go patterned but with some navy in it somewhere, worn open over the top - could be a blazer, cardigan, or even a silk shirt. You’ll get the elongating effect of wearing the same colour on top and bottom, and it will be flattering if you’re perched on a barstool because the shirt or blazer will skim over your midsection even when seated. Also no pulling buttons over the chest. Make the inner top layer either stretchy or silky and you’ll avoid any bumps caused by fabric rucking up.

bridgetreilly · 15/08/2023 00:30

Definitely pockets! In a jacket or smart cardigan, if not the dress itself. That should sort out the microphone issue. Mostly, make sure you feel comfortable and that you are confident. Good advice about considering how it looks both seated and standing and at funny angles.

TossacointoHenryCavill · 15/08/2023 00:45

So the trousers you already own plus an inner top like this:
https://www.johnlewis.com/reiss-riley-silk-blend-vest/navy/p6172615
or this:
https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-curve-chiffon-swing-vest-navy/p110534366
Then an outer blazer or shirt worn open, like this:
https://www.johnlewis.com/mango-berries-floral-print-blazer-blue-white/p110470751
or a different colour rather than print:
https://www.johnlewis.com/sosandar-leopard-print-lining-blazer-hot-pink/p110346141
Or a shirt, so thinner material:
https://www.johnlewis.com/mango-sicilia-shirt-blue/p110470785
https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-curve-floral-print-resort-shirt-blue/p110509382
or shiny and flowy in a contrasting colour
https://www.johnlewis.com/ghost-ellie-satin-shirt/pink/p109889174

You get the idea. Using an open, untucked and slightly oversized shirt means you get the collared shirt formal look but without the annoying problems of pulling buttons and messy waistbands.
If you go with a blazer you want a more fluid one with either no real buttons or just one in the centre. Nothing double breasted

declutteringmymind · 15/08/2023 07:40

Something like this?

With eshakti you can change most aspects and it will be completely made to measure.

www.eshakti.com/shop/Jumpsuits/Stretch-velvet-palazzo-jumpsuit-CL0088942

PacificState · 15/08/2023 07:46

This isn't clothes advice and ignore it unhelpful, but I also really hate bar stools when doing panels (short legs and herniated discs in my back) and I've promised myself next time I'm asked on one I will say in advance that I find bar stools really difficult. It feels like one of those things where men are assumed to be the default human, and it can't hurt to ask politely whether they can ask the venue for a different seating arrangement - maybe mention that lots of the women you know find them difficult?

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 15/08/2023 07:49

Definitely not the black and white one in your link. Too fussy.

Green one is lovely.

I wouldn't wear silk because it shows every drop of sweat and speaking in public can be a sweaty affair.

Have someone take photos of you, sitting down, standing and perching so you see how it looks like from a distance and whether your clothing creases.

I wouldn't wear something for the first time, I'd go for something I've worn before.