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!

This is a great idea. I will be getting my nails done but didn’t think of the hairdressers!

I don’t even bother with make up when I’m presenting online, this feels so alien to me 🙈

Idk, it sounds a bit old fashioned to me, especially if you’re only doing it because you think it’s ‘business wear’.
by all means wear a coat / jacket for the journey there, you don’t need to keep it on just because you need to be warm en route.
i don’t wear my coat all day at work.

the jumpsuit is beautiful, it looks like it would hold mic pack if needed.
if you’re worried about being cold get a nice thin heattech top or cami to wear underneath , the old school blazer / suit jacket is just going to add further bulk and potentially be frumpy or too much visual clutter .
one colour from head to toe is far more flattering and stylish, not cutting you off anywhere, especially if you’re conscious about your tummy

Gosh I had no idea a suit jacket was old fashioned 😳 as I work from home, I am not used to this kind of style at all. Can’t remember the last time I even attended a conference in person as a delegate, everything tends to be online these days. Plus pre-Covid I was much lower down the ranks and wouldn’t need to be thinking along these lines.

I wouldn't wear a jacket over the jumpsuit, but I might over a jersey dress.

find these places are often a bit chilly for only thin or short sleeves

Aircon can be vicious. I'd always have a jacket of some kind if going to a venue I don't know. Being cold is miserable.

I speak at a lot of events, and I go to block colours, usually strong tones like red or pink. A standout colour that photographs well. No ditsy patterns, no pastels. I always ask for a clip microphone, and I always ask for no bar stools/high chairs as I’m short! Avoid clippy-cloppy heels.

Things I’ve worn in the last year are:
black pants, black tee, cream blazer
Hobbs red dress
Hobbs Kelly green shirt dress
Ralph Lauren shirt dress in navy with leopard shoes
Next pink dress with belt - nice but I wore black patent courts and it gave 80s vibes
Karen Millen dress in burnt orange
Lipsy royal blue jumpsuit - not a success, looked fat and my underwear was visible
Silk Fred olive green jump-suit - not a success, nice colour up close but looked washy on stage.
black pants, hot pink silk blouse with neck bow - not a success as the blouse looked hot and fussy
black pants, black top and beige Mango jacket - looked washed out on stage
Chinos, blue shirt, flats - terrible, looked like a Disney store sales associate

So I now go unashamedly for a bold look with great hair. Make an impression and go for it.

I really like this. Its the nicest suggestion so far. Sorry but I think dresses can look very frumpy very easily.

If you’re determined to wear a structured piece of outerwear why not look at standalone blazers rather than a suit jacket?
it will look less Corporate at Next circa 2003 and could look pretty cool depending on how you wear it.
I honestly feel less is more here, especially from the way you describe yourself.
Start adding loads of extras and it’s going to be overwhelming very quickly.
keep it simple, strong clean lines, a colour to really complement your colouring and something that will make you look put together.
separates don’t always cut it.
i say this as a bumpy & curvy person

This is great advice. I also go for block colours, never ever patterns, and preferably jewel colours although I think black trousers and a fitted tee look great in the right environment. I have a lot of Hobbs dresses as they hang well on me, a lot of jumpsuits, I never wear jewellery apart from simple earrings and I always get a blow dry.

@SallyDraperGetInHere 's advice is great.

@Holidaymodeon , that's why I suggested a knitted/jersey blazer. The right one can pull a look together. A suit jacket or oversized blazer won't.

https://www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/i/felicity-organic-cotton-printed-jersey-midi-dress-leaf-green-203643
Fantastic quality. I have several weird fish dresses and they wash beautifully.

https://www.roman.co.uk/rochette-longline-blazer-15054260

And as a person with generous norks, I struggle with wrap-over necklines as they aways gape. Not sure what your norkage is like OP, but something to bear in mind.

This type of thing with a jacket (but which has pockets to contain a mic battery pack)?
John Lewis Sleeveless Fit & Flare Ponte Midi Dress, Black

That's a dress that needs a cardigan or jacket in a bright colour.
Why do retailers sell sleeveless dresses when they suit so few people and we're not in a warm country?

I would avoid those Weird Fish dresses personally. A block colour is much more professional.

OP has already stated that she wants a dress or jumpsuit with a jacket so I thought this would work well. As a person who has to wear business attire regularly, I find sleeveless dresses or tops under a jacket far more comfortable than long sleeves under a jacket. otherwise it all just feels too bulky. Wearing a jacket or cardigan gives you flexibility if a conference room is too hot/cold.

The dress would look a lot better and be more practical with sleeves. A ponte dress with sleeves should be fine under a jacket.

It would be fine for a presentation. This John Lewis Single Breasted Ponte Jacket, Black, Black is the right idea but all black is too funereal.

Jumpsuit is fab...also spotted this in Phase Eight...https://www.phase-eight.com/product/yasmine-textured-midi-dress-10010550258.html

You need to start at one of the big Tesco. Their work wear is fantastic & you’ll find something for much less than the budget you’ve mentioned. It generally all washes up great too.

I might have an interview coming up and these are the 2 dresses I have identified!

I have this blazer.

https://www.whistles.com/product/slim-jersey-jacket-30908.

Very comfy to wear, still smart but a bit softer look than woollen formal blazers.

I prefer navy to black as well. Suits me better plus black can feel too formal / funerally.

Is it this one?
Women's Black Slim Jersey Jacket | Whistles UK |

Yes - thank you. Don’t know why the link didn’t work.

I thought I'd add it.
On the strength of this thread I have bought a jersey blazer.