Conference attire

[Peclet]

I have a new job and part of it will be presenting at conferences. Sometimes standing up and talking and sometimes as part of a panel. workshops and training events too on a national level.

area of work is educational, so not very formal like say banking but I still wnat to look good. Suits would be great overkill.

what sort of things should I wear?

short, slim, middle-aged.

I present a lot for work and prefer jumpsuits as they look put together and there's no risk of flashing too much leg getting on and off stage. Otherwise trousers and a smart blouse. Jackets are rarely seen in my experience. I'm in a senior role in a public body for context.

Make sure you have a waistband or pockets for a mic pack and try to avoid bold patterns especially if your presentation is being streamed on screens in the venue. Some patterns don't work well on screens.

I also tend to avoid things with buttons down the front as a) I'm booby and b) I have a real fear of giving the audience an eyeful of my bra if a button pops. Also avoid jangly necklaces as the sound can get picked up by the mic

Given that you’re almost certainly free to choose your own wardrobe without restriction, it rather depends on your own preferences. And your budget.

How do you usually dress? Do you want to look in any way fashionable, or is that of no interest? Do you want your clothes to be purely utilitarian, or to make an impression? Do you want to buy new, or pre-owned?

I am fairly on trend as age appropriate…

I wore barrel leg jeans, a long sleeved ribbed top and an alpaca wool boxy jumper with May Jane type shoes today.

so fat to day I am really casual. I’d like to smarten up.

I have a big wardrobe to choose from but would buy for the right thing-

maybe some smart wide leg trousers and a slim fit shirt? Pointy flats?

This went down very well on a similar thread...

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/emily-burgundy-jumpsuit-10012680258.html?clickref=1101lCmYQpvs&app_clickref=1101lCmYQpvs&utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=skimlinks_phg

Thank you but the sleeves are too voluminous and would drive me batty.

like the shape and colour though.

I am also looking for similar clothes.

I'd get some trousers and a few tops and maybe a dress from Massimo Dutti. They do really good trousers.

I’d forgotten about massimo duttti. Good reminder!

I mostly wear Cos stuff for conferences, neutral but quietly quirky in natural fabrics. Stage can be very hot under the lights and synthetics can look weird under bright lights, but do have the advantage that they don't need ironing when they come out of your suitcase. You stand up and sit down a lot, so nothing that needs tugging down or creases. For me, something that hides the coffee when I wave my hands about.