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.

This is the Style & Beauty board, @Pookerrod - where people talk about clothes and perhaps look for styles and brands and ideas to add newness to their wardrobes.

Perhaps you’re not familiar with this space?

And the idea that women en masse are too stupid to take an interest in their clothes and hold down a job simultaneously is frankly bloody insulting.

Very familiar with this space thanks, love clothes and shop a lot!

But the OP was not talking about “looking for new styles and brands and ideas to add newness to their wardrobe”.

She was worried about imposter syndrome and wearing something that makes her look professional and like she belongs in a room full of male colleagues.

So no need to buy anything new or overthink it. All the men won’t be. So be like the men. Throw yourself into the conference and give little thought to what you’ll be wearing as long as it’s presentable and comfortable.

Why?

Why be like the men?

And thinking does not invariably equate to ‘over-thinking’.

The OP came to S&B to cogitate over what might help her to feel more confident. If she’d gone to a therapist they’d take a different approach. But perhaps a new item of clothing - which she might then plan to wear to other conferences, interviews, whatever, might be exactly the fillip she needs to see herself anew.

Or she could wear what she has …

I work in a male dominated industry and to conferences I wear either

Chinos / smart slim fitting tailored suit trousers / corduroy trousers + white button up shirt + nice monochrome jumper over the top (so in essence the woman equivalent of the men's outfit).

Or a smart work dress, like from hobbes, boden, or that style.

Black chelsea style boots with either option. When in doubt I wear entirely black and white.

ummm I don’t know if this was picked up in a later post but are you suggesting the op wears a top with a … checks notes… Pearl necklace…. To a conf full of men???

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pleat-front-relaxed-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60634528?color=GREYMARL#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r2c3

https://www.marksandspencer.com/slim-single-breasted-blazer/p/clp60610139?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r5c2

https://www.marksandspencer.com/relaxed-pinstripe-blazer-with-wool/p/clp60625620#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r9c1

https://www.marksandspencer.com/v-neck-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22574613?color=PURPLE#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r6c2|prodflag_Online%20Only

Op I would look online / on your work intranet for photos of previous events, to see what people are wearing.

I know you say that men will be wearing shirt and tie or just shirts, but that’s probably with a jacket. MHA / logistics / transport events are usually a sea of men in suits , with a collar and tie / open neck shirt / smarty chinos and blazer. With the occasional polo shirt worn with a company fleece with a logo on it 😁

As it’s a quite traditional and conservative industry and you want to fit in, I’d wear a blazer / jacket with a simple blouse / top / shirt underneath and whatever bottom half you feel most comfortable in ( the shape / scale of the trousers or skirt needs to work with the blazer. I agree with wearing flat shoes ( or only a slight heel).

I see you are very tall and slim, so you might have to try on quite a few jackets to find one that fits on the shoulders and has long enough sleeves.

If you buy one in a neutral colour you will be able to use it in the future ( I’d wear navy as I’m more of a blend in person 😳) .

If you are brave and want to stand out from all these men in grey , black and navy, then buy a bright colour !

In the unlikely event that you get there and it’s very causal and you feel over dressed, then you can just take off your jacket. Have a lightweight sweater / cardigan in your bag if you think you might feel cold.

I’m not very confident and feel that I’m a few pounds overweight and a jacket makes me feel more covered up IYSWIM. Also people mostly see your top half when you are sitting at meetings / conference table / eating etc.

Congratulations on being invited . I assume it’s because you are good at your job and they see you as promotion material.

I think accessories really make the outfit. So coordinating shoes/bag. Resist high heels.

Fairly low key jewellery and hair cinched back in a clip if longish. You want to be smart, put together and professional looking I think to feel comfortable.

The M&S blazers that @madroid linked to up thread look good. However, the fact that the 5 foot 10 tall model is wearing them with the sleeves rolled up suggest they would be too short for you @Kellioo .

On your budget, I’d check out Next. They have about 45 blazers for tall women, so hopefully one of these would work for you.

https://www.next.co.uk/search?w=blazer%20for%20tall%20women&af=sizetype:tall&isort=price&p=1#446

If you have shopped in Next before , I’m sure you will know that there’s no point in just popping in to the store. The easiest thing is to order the items into your local store and go and pick them up, try them on and then immediately return all the ones you don’t want.

The quality and cut are very variable from shockingly bad to surprisingly good for the money. So give yourself plenty choices and enough time to reorder in another size.

Hawes and Curtis sale has some nice pieces of tailoring and some lovely women’s shirts for reasonable prices

@ParsnipAndPoppy - it helps if you read the full thread! But no. I was not recommending the top. Just the skirt. Which did not have a full entry on the website at the time. And it was simply a suggestion of a type of skirt. I have no idea why it garnered so much opprobrium here.

Though I have often worn pearls (not sewn onto clothes) in roomfuls of men - and as far as I recall Nothing Bad Has Happened.

I'm retired now, but as CEO in a very male dominated environment, I have to say, we always dressed down for Conference - particularly internal .

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. I always wore trousers, nice top, flat shoes and tiny cross body bag I could wear to lunch/ break out sessions, leaving my briefcase bag by my desk.
Not trying to generalise, but ime no one notices what you're wearing unless it's outrageous in any way.

Relax and Enjoy OP

I'm roughly your age and dimensions: I'm a huge fan of drapey sculpturey black dresses from COS (got to get the right one though COS is 70% bizarre, 30% amazing). They last forever and travel well. In the sale you will get one in your budget for sure. That said I'm in quite a creative field, so if you work in something more commercial you might be better off with wide leg black trousers, drapey nice dark coloured shirt, and some don't-fuck-with-me jewelry (either necklace or earrings, not both). Or fake pearl studs (nobody can tell) in a conservative field. Patent leather brogues are your friend with the pants or with opaque tights and a COS dress. Dressy and practical without being at all mimsy. Bags: there are super chic backpacks out there now, v convenient for conferencing. Minimalist modern brands look at the iconic Rains bag but go for a cheaper imitation or secondhand. Also for conferences you want to be COMFY as there's a lot of sitting trying not to fall asleep as some people crap on and the last thing you want is a waistband. Good luck and have fun: no doubt you belong far more than some of those dudes who've never ever wondered if they belong and unlike us don't have to give a second thought to how they look. :)

this is great

Long tall sally have some nice jackets and bits in the sale. I'd go for a dress, jacket and heels..

Some nice dress pants and a blouse. Get wider pants if you are insecure about your middle. I like to wear a cardigan or a blazer to give me a little more shape. You can also substitute a tailored skirt. I would advise against heels for a conference unless you are VERY used to them. You will be on your feet a lot.

I used to have to wear a blazer to work and I bought all my blazers at charity shops. They get donated a surprising amount and usually are like brand new.

I'd start with not referring to any woman as 'totty,' tbh.

I've seen your posts in response to the several comments taking issue with your remark about being seen as 'totty.' I know you're trying to row it back and explain what you meant, but your comment WAS reductive.

OP, I've been a lot of similar things, in my area (niche area of law, still male dominated), and casual comfort is spot on. I usually do black stretchy, soft cigarette-style pants and loafers, and a very light sweater or 3/4 sleeve jersey top in a neutral shade or black again. I wouldn't go near anything tailored, button shirts or heels for a conference. No blazer, no handbag - I use a slouchy leather crossbody bag for any papers etc. I want to feel smart, contained, no flappy bits, no shirts getting untucked, etc. - complete comfort.

Hope all goes well!

Hi
Hope I am not too late to offer my thoughts - I work in a senior position in my company , the only gal in a sea of men. I find when I have been invited to such events as you have stated I wear something that I feel very comfortable in, regardless what that may be and also color wise too. Don't shy away from who you are. You are invited due to the worth you add yourself. How exciting ! Enjoy the planning and the event.

Buying this for an event I have in April. Thanks @madroid . May not be high fashion, but I love the colour, and I don't like oversized poufy dresses.

I’d say polo jumper and a midi skirt.

Think it depends on your style too