What to wear that's 'comfortable but professional' for a presentation?

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I have a university presentation coming up, and we've been told to dress in a way that is comfortable for us, yet professional. I don't have any professional clothes, so I need to go shopping but I have no idea what to look for. The only shoes I own are trainers, Converse and UGG boots

I'm a size 18 and in my 20s.

I agree @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle not the outfit, but the thicker leggings with a shirt or a plain top (not cropped) and a blazer with boots or loafers should be okay I would have thought. Here they are styled differently https://www.next.co.uk/style/ST377746/627932?dp=a&dndl=1&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA67CrBhC1ARIsACKAa8QS80VCFooocbh82XRzBiJK9SzZYryytlWUwy70N0oDFFHEq22m5KwaAiLSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#627932

No , not really. I do a fair bit of presenting at seminars and conferences, although private sector. I'd be very surprised to see a speaker turn up in leggings, no matter how thick.

wide leg trousers, a t-shirt top, blazer and converse if not too old and grungy seem fine for a student, although it does depend a bit on your subject

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle you must the the authority on these things then. Thank you for keeping us all right.

No , not really. I do a fair bit of presenting at seminars and conferences, although private sector. I'd be very surprised to see a speaker turn up in leggings, no matter how thick.

It does depend on the conference. I work in housing and there are plenty of speakers who would present in leggings. I wouldn't. But it does depend on the industry.

Second thoughts -agreed. And I didn't notice this was a presentation by a student rather than to students. Black trousers would still be better if OP is going to have to buy something anyway.

Black trousers would still be better if OP is going to have to buy something anyway.

True. I always have an 'emergency Court outfit' as well. It's worth having one. Maybe that's industry specific as well!

There's no need to be so snippy. I attend lots of conferences. I would be very surprised at a speaker turning up in leggings. Mrs TerryPratchet has commented that at housing (presumably public sector) conferences she has.

At the latter the speakers are probably already experts in their field, have done it before, and know what they can get away with. What they say matters, not what they look like.

OP clearly hasn't done this before. Being more formally dressed than necessary isn't a problem - being less formally dressed than everyone else won't be a great confidence booster.

Seen leggings plenty in arts/charity worlds too but depends how you style them. If it's a university presentation they'll be thrilled if anyone wears something dressier than Nike Pro cycling shorts and micro Uggs.

I'd happily wear this sort of thing to work with black opaque tights:
https://www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/knitwear/knitted-dresses/product.oversized-knit-dress-green.1192310001.html

I'd think about some other footwear options - surely you'd get some wear out of a pair of flat black chelsea boots?

I'd go for black shoes, black trousers and a nice jumper as you'll be able to reuse those easily.

Baggy blazer, tailored trousers and smart trainers seem like the most popular "trendy daytime professional" outfit these days. Trainers would be white/monochrome New Balance ones, Adidas Sambas or something equally sleek (nothing dirty or worn looking). Converse would definitely also work as long as they don't look too battered. At any business networking event or conference, I've seen loads of women into their 40 & 50s wearing the blazer + trainers combo. If you're in your 20s or 30s you could definitely pull that off. Under the blazer would be a smart fitted t-shirt (plain black or white) or a simple blouse/collared shirt.

I wouldn't do leggings in any form. I prefer charcoal to black tailored trousers but that's because I find black a bit too characterless.

If you are going to be somewhere where you'll have to wear a visitors badge, think about where you'd like to clip it (lapel or waist - you can't hide the latter with a sweater/untucked top).

Thank you all. I went shopping today after reading through your suggestions and managed to pick up some slim fit black trousers, some black flat boots and a black blouse. I feel really uncomfortable in the outfit though, like I'm wearing someone else's clothes! I'm going to wear my Veja trainers and then change into the boots once I'm there as they're quite uncomfortable, and that way I can judge how smart everyone else is and if it's more 'smart casual' I might keep the Veja trainers on.

My course placements that I'll have will require me to dress smart, but I'll be in school and general practice environments, so feel like I'd want to dress a bit more colourful for placements than all black - but not sure what to go for.

My go to for this sort of thing is black trousers, or black skirt, black slim fit light wool V neck jumper and black boots, then add colour with a scarf, and a long coloured jacket or long cardigan.