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

[Lndnmummy]

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!

The black and white Reiss dress would look great in person, but even in photos, it feels like the pattern is getting lost. Any filming would likely strobe - something I have to remind spokespeople about regularly.

You are all amazing. Thank you so so much. I will work my way through all the recommendations. I have emailed the organisers and asked about seating arrangements. If bar stools I will ask to get a different one. Thank you all so so much and keep the tips coming. I love and read them all.

No. That's far too fussy as are all those blazers/ long shirts.

The Sosander stuff in another post are awful - they look cheap and garish.

I would definitely go for a v neck, as long as it's not too deep a V, as they are flattering.

Agree with trousers. I rarely get asked to sit on a bar stool but there is a craze for low sofas on a stage, and that risks flashing pants/too much leg so trousers feels much more secure. I would say wide leg trousers and a top and a Coatigan-type jacket allows for mikes etc but doesn’t ride up like a suit jacket does and is softer than a structured jacket.

Something like this maybe https://www.hobbs.com/product/bethan-coatigan/0220-9308-1185L00-BURGUNDY.html#q=Coatigan&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0220-9308-1185L00-BURGUNDY&pos=2

My top tips would be:

1. choose something you already own if you can - the last thing you want to be worried about is something gaping/ showing too much leg or just being uncomfortable when you are already nervous.
2. choose a colour which projects confidence- a bright primary colour or black is better than a fussy print.
3. think about the fabric - ideally nothing which is going to make you feel hot and sweaty under pressure or that will crease very easily.
4. as others have said , you are likely to need either a waistband or belt to clip the battery pack for your mike onto or a deep pocket which it will fit into, and you may also need a neckline which accommodates a clip on lapel mike. Some venues use headsets but some use little mikes on crocodile clips.

good luck with the presentation!

I generally dislike Reiss but your first link, the green dress, looks fine, provided the fabric isn’t too thin and the high neck actually works for you.

Alternatively you’ve mentioned wearing your own navy trousers with a top? If you’re not wearing a jacket then your top should (IMO) carry that sort of authority. So I’d probably choose something like these, both in good heavy silk that will fall elegantly and light up your face, with top buttons undone on the first, complemented with an old school string of pearls.

https://www.buddshirts.co.uk/george-plain-silk-neck-band-dress-shirt-in-navy.html

https://www.buddshirts.co.uk/buddette-silk-button-cuff-shirt-in-indian-ink.html

Preferably tucked in, with a leather belt for your trousers. (Should be ok even on an apple shape if the trousers fit well.)

If you are short then the initial dresses you linked to are going to be on the floor, at 5’2 I have the same issue!

Definitely no silk, sweat patches show terribly on silk.

I think your existing trousers seem good. Maybe with a wrap top, gently patterned, and a lovely soft structured, cashmere, blazer/coatigan in same colour as trouser, or swap the colour of the blouse/blazer around and keep trousers and top streamlined, same colour tone, and wear an amazing pop of colour blazer, teal, emerald whatever colour looks good on you.

Keep to a stretchy soft semi structured blazer so you don’t feel restricted. Wearing layers means you can adapt clothing to temperature, air conditioning.

I do quite a lot of panel stuff and am a similar shape to you. Accessories are your friends! I always wear (or have in my bag) a nice long colourful silk scarf to drape loosely around my neck which can hide lumps, bumps, big boobs and multiple spare tyres! And I wear more makeup than usual too with a brighter lipstick.

Definitely no silk, sweat patches show terribly on silk.

Happily not if it’s (more expensive) heavyweight silk and you wear a thin (preferred fabric) t shirt underneath.

If they come back with bar stools, I'd email back and ask if there is any opportunity for it to.change to seated / standing. I have done so in the past.

Without fail, the organisers who think that barstools are a good idea are men. When I explain that as a 5'4 woman I find climbing on them hard and would not like to run the risk of flashing the audience they usually back down. Especially if you mention that other women speakers haven't been told about the need to dress in a particular way.

Remember, event organisers usually find it a bugger to get enough speakers for an event. Don't be afraid to ask for something that makes your experience better. Plus they need to know the bar stools are shit in order to stop using them.

The trouble with the long colourful silk scarf is that everyone knows you’re wearing it to hide lumps, bumps, big boobs and multiple spare tyres - so instead of concentrating on your presentation of your subject, the audience sits there distracted by cogitation on your psyche, wondering whether you’re on a diet and exactly what size clothes you buy …

Seriously?? I have ADHD so my mind wanders all over the place 🙄but I'd never think any of that.

Would something like this work with navy trousers

Sorry, image did not load

Absolutely, I will do this. Thank you all. You have made me feel so much better

That looks great!
Aldo just to say that the last bar stool incident(!) for me was at a women led event, and I was being interviewed by another short woman! She wore a jumpsuit but her mike pack was tucked in her pants which I avoid at all costs!

Have done panel stuff. Glad you asked them to consider seating -I'm taller than you but have stumpy legs and have the fear of those bloody stools.

Also regarding the mike - think about your earrings. I had very small hoops but they still interfered with the wires and I had to whip them out. Studs seemed fine.

I'm rubbish at fashion but will be stealing some of these ideas so thank you for posting!

I'm tall (5' 9) but I still hate the bloody bar stools. It's impossible to get on one gracefully. I have previously raised (to an employer who I was representing on a panel about diversity) that the bar stools are actually a diversity issue but the stools still appeared. 😡 I tend to wear an Issey Miyake Pleats Please dress over matching loose plisse trousers so at least I'm comfortable and can scramble on and off the damn things.

Don't forget to think about your make-up (if you choose to wear it) and the effect bright lighting will have.

That wrap top, navy trousers and smart jewellery will look fab. Get a blowdry and spend time on your make up also. If it's a big event they may have people on hand for that - ask.
Hopefully you are sorted now on clothing but if you change your mind, here is my advice (I work with people to prepare them for speaking):

• no stripes or patterns especially monochrome. It can look like a mind trick when photographed or on screens.
• check the colours of any event back drops as you don't want to blend in
• bar stools v chairs for seating. Agree with everyone, bar stools are a nightmare for women in general and rule out dresses unless long.
• ask about hair and make up
• ask about microphone options and let them know your height if they don't already

Do you want to stand out and be remembered, or to appear professional and focus on the discussion? Is this an opportunity to boost your career so you might want to be a little memorable?

The wrap top and navy trusts look good, unless you would get too hot.

How big is the event? Are you likely to be on a stage, or is it less formal? Think about what you would expect to see/hear if you were in the room listening.

I also think the bar stools are a diversity issue. They're just bloody impractical unless you're actually sitting at a bar. Pretty much only taller, athletic people can sit on them easily, so they disadvantage everyone else.

And it isn't shallow to think about looks. Nixon lost an election because of how he looked on camera.

Ask the team preparing the event to email you mock ups of their stage set up. Or a video if it's something they've done before/ do regularly. Esp the seats as other posters note skirts can be a nightmare on some chairs! Always good to know the colours they're going to use for backdrop so you don't end up matching. Contrasting can look really lovely.

Definitely check on the mic situation as well.

Jewel tones or pastels NO patterns esp if the event is going to be recorded or photographed.

And remember they've invited you there to share what you know not what you look like. But it's one less thing to think about! Best of luck!

The Fold specialises in beautifully made wrap tops for professional women. It should be quite easy to fix a lapel microphone. This top would go well with navy trousers and is currently on sale: