Conference outfit

[Shf]

Mulling this over now in case there’s anything on the sales. I’m presenting at a conference this summer. Not huge, so more likely to have mikes on a podium than to be miked up. Also not always that smart, so no need to be fully suited and booted.

If it was in the winter I’d have no problem as I could wear black tights with a cool dress, but that won’t work in summer. I’m petite, pale, and that frustrating figure where even though I am only an 8/10, I carry weight on my stomach and upper arms. Suit trousers don’t often do a lot for me, but are an option with the right top - not a shirt, they either fit my boobs or shoulders but never both. Wide legged trousers and mid length dresses make me look shorter and plumper and like I’m wearing my mum's clothes.

I wear a lot of Closet and Emily & Fin dresses as they suit my frame and hide my bumps, but as I’m so pale I’m not keen on being on stage in one on summer with deathly pale legs…

What would you wear?

I would wear your dresses with good quality sheer nude tights or depending on the colour of the dress, sheer black tights.

I don't get the MN obsession about not wearing tights. I don't see it in real life in formal dress situations. Before lockdown when formal office wear was expected no one in my office wore dresses or skirts with bare legs.

You're right however about pasty white bare legs looking awful on a podium. Saw that in action this year with three presenters - one wearing trousers and socks and shoes one wearing a dress and tights and one wearing a very tailored dress, high heels and bare legs. The first 2 looked fine, nothing to remark on. The third looked as if she'd forgotten to finish getting dressed.

I hate tights due to hot flushes and they always get laddered or rough patches, but how about nude fishnets if you don't want bare legs? Or a gentle fake tan?

How do jumpsuits look on you are you comfortable In them?

My problem areas is also my stomach and sometimes a good peplum cut skirt ir jumpsuit hides it a bit for me

You need to know if it’s definitely a podium mic or not as you need a waistband for a radio mic

A fake tan might be safe. I’m conscious I'd prefer to wear heels for the height but I don’t often find closed toe heels comfy which could rule tights out.

Jumpsuits never feel like they look good on me but as everyone else swears by them I’ll try some!

I suppose something like this could be forgiving and smart?

Fake tan on bare legs in a formal work place setting just looks awful.

Why do you need to wear heels? I've done a lot of conference speaking. I always wear flats. If I'm standing to speak heels are wobbly and uncomfortable.

The jumpsuit is too casual/ going out in the evening - or certainly would be for the events I speak at. Although I admit I don't like jumpsuits.

Tbh I’m no fashion guru, but I always think presenting at events / being on a panel / hosting something, is a nice excuse to wear something new and fab! Particularly if there are going to be photos popping up on Linkedin (no idea if this is the case for you or not OP…). So go for whatever meets that criteria for you and makes you feel comfortable and great!

You could be right, what if the tan went wrong? Aargh.

I’d be happy wearing wedges to talk in, or heeled boots. I prefer the height as it makes me feel like I stand and walk better when presenting. I’m REALLY short and feel quite self conscious in certain situations without some heel.

In terms of how smart it needs to be, it’s quite a small and not cool profession, so there’s no need to look super smart, or on the flip side, super cool.

Whatever you wear I would just stress that if you're standing speaking at a podium, or even walking around a stage, you need comfortable shoes - whatever "comfortable" means for you.

For me, it's dressy, ballet flats or flats with no more than 2/3 cm heel, and a block heel rather than a kitten or low stilletto. Wobbling at the podium is not a good look.