What would you wear to speak onstage?

[reabies]

Hi everyone, I am the MC for 2 days of a conference in the next couple of weeks, I introduce the next speakers and keep the programme running to time, so I'll be on and off stage all day but not speaking on a panel or keynote myself.

What to wear? I work from home fulltime and I'll be honest, it's mostly in trackies and jumpers. The conference is a technology conference, so will have attendees in hoodies and shorts as well as those in suits.

I'm 5'7, a 12-14, early 30s. The conference is in a tropical location, though I'm sure the conference centre has aircon. And I'm a nervous sweater, aircon or no. Budget...under £100 really. Will probably just scrape something together from the few presentable bits I do own, but interested to see any suggestions you may have!

A nice hobbs suit

Some soft but structured high waisted wide-legged trousers, with pockets. A simple t-shirt in a contrasting colour, and a softly-structured jacket/blazer. So, not a suit, but still fairly smart. Comfortable, flattering, you can take the jacket off if too warm, or take it off when you're not on stage. Flat shoes or fresh-looking trainers.

Edited to add: just seen it's over two days. So you could swap out the t-shirt for a shirt or just a different coloured t-shirt the next day. If the trousers/jacket are in neutral colours, you wouldn't have to change these. Or you could swap out the jacket as well, maybe for a shirt over the t-shirt or over a vest top or body. Shirt could be tied at the waist.

I'd go for the M&S ruched sleeve blazer and the wide legged trousers that go with it - I love the cobalt blue if that suits you and will make you pop on stage - you can wear a plain white tee underneath and white leather trainers if you have any, and could ring the changes with black trousers if you wanted the two days to be different.

Wear a plain black top so the sweat patches don't show.

Wear something with a waistband or belt or whoever is fitting your radio mic will have to attach the pack to your bra (voice of experience)

Thanks everyone! I like the idea of trousers and jacket where I can swap the top for day 2 and still look fresh. I tried some trousers on in M&S at the weekend but just felt bleh in everything, I maybe need to go for a wide leg rather than a tapered cut as they hang weirdly.

Also thanks for insight re microphones - guess a dress isn't the easiest option then!!

Loose-ish jumpsuit or shell top and wideleg trousers. Wouldn't bother with a blazer in tech and if tropical weather definitely no! Maybe a linen overshirt?

There was a thread recently about being a panelist and what to wear, with lots of good tips and clothing suggestions:

S&B thread here