Conference outfits (only female attending)

[Kellioo]

I don't know what to wear. All men who will be a mix of shirts and ties or shirts and chinos.

I'm a lower level than everyone else. I'm flattered to be invited but wondering why and have massive imposter syndrome anyway.

I want to look professional, confident and like I belong.

5ft 10in size 10 but some excess lbs so not feeling great.

Budget needs to be less than £100.

I got some really comfy but smart non-creasing wide-legged trousers from Uniqlo.

I'm mid 40's, mix of ages but lots late 30's. Small boobed, very clumsy and prone to spilling so that's a good point actually!

What DO they wear then? And in what sort of industry are you talking about?

I am also prone to spilling and I absolutely hate feeling cold, which is why I rarely go to these things without a scarf in my bag.

It’s not particularly elegant but I tend to make sure I’m (already) wearing the scarf before sitting down to eat. It has protected sooo many white shirts… (especially from tomato sauce!)

@ImJustMadAboutSaffron

Read this post! Great source of info to answer your question

I'm asking because you should all see what women in my workplace wear!!

Batshit.

Oh another thing I’d recommend (which maybe a bit anti-feminist) is that if you wear lipstick make sure you reapply it frequently- there is a lot of chatting and staring at faces, but the eating and and drinking isn’t kind to lipstick. I just feel more professional with lipstick on, as I’m quite pale and washed out otherwise. I’ve worn the same shade for about 10 years!

(Obviously don’t reapply in public, I mean make sure you have it with you when you go to the loo!)

@ImJustMadAboutSaffron

I work in marketing so I see a lot of women across a wide range of industries in professional wear and I've not see the tight panelled dress or the pencil skirt stiletto combo in years!

From IT to Pharma to Law to Education I see a lot of jeans with a smart blouse or jumper, low heeled boots, blazer. Satin midi skirts with block heels or boots. Wide leg or cropped cigarette style trousers, blouse or jumper, flats (loafer or pointed flat) or block heel sandal like the Chanel style slingbacks. Shirt or jumper dresses with flats.

The MandS cotton rich fitted collared shirt has a bit of stretch and looks good on all shapes either tucked in with jacket or cardigan or even left untucked for a more casual (equivalent of shirt and chinos) look.
It works with trousers or a straight skirt.
Later in the year they'll do one with 3/4 sleeves. It's an office staple I think, particularly because it stays looking crisp.

Yep. I'm in academia.

Wide leg or cropped cigarette style trousers, blouse or jumper, flats (loafer or pointed flat) or block heel sandal like the Chanel style slingbacks.

The BIB is me today. And most days tbh.

I think a turtleneck or similar would get very hot and stifling in a conference.

I went to a conference recently and wore wide leg trousers from uniqlo

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/brushed-jersey-pleated-wide-leg-trousers-regular-463706.html

A polo neck

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/100pct-extra-fine-merino-ribbed-turtleneck-jumper-461065.html

And a pair of chunky black boots with a 2 inch heel. A bit like this

https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/7,845/4994100000050?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=18465396228&cq_med=pla&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA44OtBhAOEiwAj4gpOSUfBMzdMzYzDydlauld5LjucZrywwDLQUBwJuEE-rCt54fmil0QfxoCovIQAvD_BwE

In hindsight the main room was a bit hot, so maybe should have gone for a thinner top with a jumper to put over if needed but you get the gist! Jewellery-wise i just had my normal silver chain with a little diamond pendant and some little sparkly studs.

If younger, I’d suggest that you go very subtle and plain so as not to feed any thoughts that you have been invited as the totty

Wtf is this comment? The OP has been invited as she staff. And staff are invited. Totty??

Totty? WTF.

Thank you - just ordered this!

What ageist shite is this? Do you think young women are fair game for ageism?

I'd wear something like this with black tights and brogues or boots - https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/mini-dresses/product.mini-wrap-shirt-dress-blue.1169408002.html

Oh great! I bet you'll look heavenly in it.

Some lovely sounding ideas thank you. I'll be a woman on a shopping mission this weekend!

@PumpkinsAndCoconuts genius tip thanks

Plain, slim trousers (black probably). Smart t-shirt. Blazer or jacket. Done. Jazz it up with a chunky necklace or a scarf if you want. decent trainers or ankle boots.

A lot of weird comments on here. Women are not responsible for men's thoughts. OP just needs a smart, comfortable outfit that suits the occasion.

That Reiss dress is fab by the way, sadly it would make me look like a Christmas sack of spuds.

Absolutely do not wear the grey a-line skirt from & Other Stories unless you want to look like you're at school.

Also, there's a lot of over-thinking on here about 'dressing with intention' and what's 'appropriate for a corporate environment' and whether you have to spend £100 on a dress for a conference.

If you're going to be the only woman at this event, and it's the sort of event where shirts and chinos and perhaps the occasional tie will be worn by most of the men, I can absolutely guarantee you that nobody is going to think 'Hmmm, that's a cheap dress' or 'Oh, not sure those trousers are sufficiently corporate'. They're not going to have the first idea about any of that stuff. They're a bunch of blokes who wear shirts and ties or shirts and chinos. They're not going to pick up on details and they're not really going to have a clue what women usually wear to these things. So my advice is wear what makes YOU feel confident and comfortable and put-together - whatever feels appropriate to you, for your industry, and whatever makes you feel confident and which you can pretty much forget about once you're there.

“If you're going to be the only woman at this event, and it's the sort of event where shirts and chinos and perhaps the occasional tie will be worn by most of the men, I can absolutely guarantee you that nobody is going to think 'Hmmm, that's a cheap dress' or 'Oh, not sure those trousers are sufficiently corporate'. They're not going to have the first idea about any of that stuff. They're a bunch of blokes who wear shirts and ties or shirts and chinos. They're not going to pick up on details and they're not really going to have a clue what women usually wear to these things. So my advice is wear what makes YOU feel confident and comfortable and put-together - whatever feels appropriate to you, for your industry, and whatever makes you feel confident and which you can pretty much forget about once you're there.”

Again, spot on.

Unfortunately they have those thoughts whether you like it or not. And age is part of it.
I tend to dress like the men. But always impressed by the women who don't.

Wear what's comfortable for you.

Good luck. You have as much right to be there as anyone else. Probably more than others!