Outfit advice for presenting at a conference

[PorkPieandPickle]

I’m looking for advice on an outfit for presenting at a large professional conference at the beginning of April. I usually work from home and if I go to my office it’s very casual. It’s about 15 years since I’ve worked in a ‘smart’ office!

I’m not massively keen on suits, I find separate top/bottom quite uncomfortable, and something I have to keep rearranging, and I want to feel comfortable on stage as well as confident. I’d prefer a longer dress with a jacket or a smart jumpsuit and jacket. Nothing too clingy though as I’m conscious of my belly: I’m a size 18.

I really want to impress and look ‘effortlessly, stylishly, smart’ if that is a style! Budget £100 ish but can go up to £150 for the right outfit! Ideally, I’d like it to work with brown or black boots so I don’t have to buy shoes too. I

I’m absolutely useless at choosing clothes like this so I would really appreciate some help!

I speak at conferences fairly often and my go to are the Me&Em travel tailoring dresses. A little above budget but they have good sales. The dresses are heavy, forgiving on lumps and bumps and generously sized.

that's perfect imo

A dress and boots will look great and you'll feel appropriately dressed.

I speak at conferences and present quite a lot, as well as attend and this is fairly standard dress for women.

I'd say mid calf length is best and then you don't get caught out if they have you sitting on chairs, as a shorter dress might ride up.

On microphones, I've never seen anyone had one attached to them, it's always been a lectern mike, plus either ones in the ceiling or there could be a handheld one, but if it's only the lectern, you'll just have to not wander too far.

The jumpsuit is really nice but I'd also be worried about needing a last minute wee.

I would look for a midi length shirt or wrap style dress in a natural fabric (or viscose, which is semi synthetic but breathable and drapes really well). Polyester has a habit of going static/clingy and can make you sweaty, which could be an issue if it's warm or you're nervous.

I searched dressed on John Lewis filtering by size, length and selecting the natural fabrics, and loads came up.

If you like a pattern, as I do, I think this is lovely:

www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-brigitta-belted-shirt-dress-pine/p114904791?deepLink=false

If youd prefer plain, I find Hobbs dresses tend to be lovely quality and flattering. This one comes in a few colours:

https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-brigitta-belted-shirt-dress-pine/p114904791?deepLink=false

Or

Gah! I linked the same dress twice and can't edit it. Here's the patterned one I love:

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-charlotte-geometric-shirt-dress-navy-ivory/p114489942

If you are wearing boots then wouldn’t a trouser suit be better ?

I think this dress is lovely

Only go to a size 16 though

But late to this but if you are determined to stick to your budget you have two options: rent something, or buy pre-owned.

The brand I would be looking at in particular would be

Studio Nicholson

They don’t officially go up to an 18 but their sizing (in dresses, at least) is vast so if you could source something pre-owned it would be worth trying the 14.

If you choose to rent, this is useful:

https://www.redonline.co.uk/fashion/a37750531/rent-clothes/

Ridiculous

I’ve had a few issues recently with button down dresses where the bloody buttons keep popping open, so I’d want to feel sure that won’t happen.

Boden I think very generally is more the dress and boots style vibe than say phase 8.

Something like this, as long as the buttons are reliable enough?

https://www.boden.com/products/women-marcia-jersey-shirt-dress-hunter-green-painted-dot-d1033mgr

I’ve decided against a jumpsuit. All the comments about difficulties having a wee have bought the reality of that to life!

those who asked about trousers, I just find that I am constantly fidgeting at whether things are tucked in right. I feel like they would make me fret on stage.

There are some lovely dresses linked, so I’m going to order a selection, and see which I feel best in, in lots of the links they are already paired with boots so it’s great to see how they’d look! (it will probably end up roasting in April and I’ll want to wear sandals!)

thank you so much everyone 😄

This burgundy jumpsuit is fantastic and a bargain!

My only tip from personal experience is I did a presentation standing and my legs were shaking a bit as I went up. And I think it would have been less noticeable if I was wearing trousers. (I was wearing a dress, jacket, flat shoes and tights). It was an outfit I was confident wearing and felt good in. Just didn't account for the leg shaking !!

I avoid shirt dresses as there is the danger of gaping at the boobs and buttons undoing. You say you don't like separates, but I would recommend a rethink. M&S do some great wide leg trousers (the crepe tab ones are perfect). They hang well and smooth out any bumps. I recommend a structured popover blouse that eliminates any gaping concerns. It's my 'uniform' for guest speaking slots. These days, as Phil Collins advised, no jacket required!

Don’t write off a shirt dress / buttons down the front for fear of gaping. Just wear a slip in a complimentary colour underneath which will make it hang better anyway and look more expensive. You can unbutton a few more buttons too which often looks better and assists with fit.

I have several slips from Marks and Spencer in black, or if you want cotton, Next usually do them in two packs with a white one too.

The dress is fine but wrap dresses can have a mind of their own. Mid-presentation wardrobe malfunction potential.

I do loads of conferences. Be prepared for them to change the set-up on the day, so they might want you to have a lapel mic if for example the lectern mic isn’t great or if they don’t have enough hand-held mics for the panel. Similarly be prepared for a bar stool rather than a chair. We were on beanbags once!

If you end up with a mic pack you want to be able to put it in a pocket or waistband ideally but if you wear a dress they can clip it to the neckband at the back.

A bright colour works well so you stand out on a panel, particularly if there will be photos taken and you want to share them on LinkedIn. I tend to go for a brightly coloured suit or separates.

It’s a great thing to do so the main thing is to relax, smile and enjoy it. Good luck!

Some great advice above.
I'm a conference planner and as well as finding out about the mic (in a dress, they may need to attach it to your bra. Will you be comfortable with that?) and the seating (both stools and low, soft armchairs can be awkward for arranging yourself but looks good on stage so are generally chosen), I'd ask the organiser about the stage set

If asked, I usually recommend wearing a block, fairly bright colour. If you have a large screen behind you showing slides it's easy for you to disappear into the void in a dark colour even with good lighting. The screen is there to compliment your presentation not steal the show.

I'd avoid small patterns (small floral, checks etc) as these can look a bit strange if you are being projected onto a larger screen.

The Roman dress shared above would be a good option.

I am presenting at a conference in a couple of weeks. I am not a suit person either. I will be wearing a simple shift dress - I have a slate grey one, and a Hobbs one which is a sort of check, with opaque black tights and black shoes/boots.

You need to be comfy, you don't want to be concentrating on how a waistband is digging into you or whatever rather than what you are trying to say. Charity shops can be rich hunting grounds for this sort of outfit.

I'd go for a simple shirt dress, dark colour and no garish patterns that will distract people from what you're presenting. 3/4 length sleeves so you're not too hot and you're tempted to fiddle with your cuffs while talking, and flat shoes/boots.

There's loads on here depending on what sort of colour / pattern suits you, although I particularly like the stripe one
Buy shirt dress in 18 Midi from the Next UK online shop

Buy Live Unlimited Black Curve Contrast Stripe Belted Midaxi Shirt Dress from the Next UK online shop

The jumpsuit is very nice. I'd get it and wear it.

Don't drink a lot in the hours before the presentation.

I am a lecturer and yes, if the mike is on the lectern you definitely don't want to walk around.
Mike packs are very much designed for male clothing, even women's trousers that have no pockets aren't always great if the waistband is a bit tight OR a bit loose as it can pull down your trousers/skirt.
Our mike packs where I work are heavy and you definitely wouldn't want them clipped to your dress, but the actual mike clip is small and OK on your collar/neckline (I have never thought of clipping it to my bra and would avoid that in case of rustle. I once had to take off my Christmas earrings because they were jingling into the mike).

I always wear a suit when presenting at conferences. But I see a decent suit is likely out of your budget and not worth buying if you will never wear it! But if I were to wear a dress to present in, I do like those Chanel inspired ones that are popular at the moment. I have a gorgeous boucle one (no longer in stock) but even something like this might be a good starting point: https://www.marksandspencer.com/ponte-jersey-button-through-midi-skater-dress/p/clp23049531?color=BLACK&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_3pb_ch__-UK-_-_womenswear&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22697911888&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bRFstwuZeQIbrZrv_8ECkWaB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2ZTrqb_lkgMV-ZNQBh18XgonEAQYGiABEgKpTPD_BwE