What to wear for this work event

[LittleArithmetics]

Speaking at an event in the summer. Roughly like a conference but smaller scale.

Just trying to think what to wear. Generally I like wearing wide leg trousers with a top tucked in. I have a nice blazer which is sort of beige/greige checked, but I'm not sure what trousers would be best with it. Also, maybe there's a risk a blazer would be too warm in the middle of summer, although the venue itself will be AC so maybe okay.

What would you consider wearing for this brief?

There was a thread in this a few months ago in S&B. Beige/pale tops can look very washed out in stage, and busy patterns aren’t great if you’re being videod or on a big screen, but strong block colours on your top half, matched with any dark trousers, looks good.

For a summer conference I have black wide leg linen trousers with a cropped green and gold tweedy jacket, and black tweed & patent leather shoes.

Or a figure hugging navy and turquoise cotton dress, just above knee length and light tan sandals.

If it's a corporate setting, then I would stick to neutral colours. Black, navy, white, beige.
I would play it safe black trousers and black top. Bring the blazer if it's chilly.
You can dress it up if nec with jewellery, bag or shoes too add interest or bit of colour

@Pinkyhere not super corporate. Broadly in the area of public sector/academia. I was thinking about wearing wide leg black (or possibly navy) trousers with my blazer, but it would need to be a white top, black on top half doesn't suit me.

Are you shopping your wardrobe or do you want something new? And if the latter, do you have a budget?

(I wouldn’t feel it’s necessary to stick to drab black or navy for a summer conference amongst academics. From my own wardrobe I’d probably choose a white piqué cotton Margaret Howell shirt with a wide sculptural collar. I’d probably buy a new skirt, rather than trousers. (If the event were in the UK, at least.)

@SeditiousPam Either really. I already have the blazer, and I have some wide leg trousers but probably not the right ones for the blazer, so would be buying trousers if I decide to wear the blazer. I think the main alternative option would be a dress (also would need buying), I never really wear skirts.

I do loads of stuff like this. My go to is smart wide leg trousers and an eye-catching blouse of some sort (Me + Em
are very good at these). I get too hot in jackets if I’m speaking, and I don’t think they’re necessary if the rest of your outfit is smart.

This is the blazer with wide leg trousers, although I don't think these specific trousers are quite right.

I would put a blue top with that blazer, so either the black trousers or a pair in navy should be fine.

@Pearlstillsinging blue as in navy?

If it is academia-adjacent then anything goes! Wear something bright so people will remember you. My go-to is black or navy tailored wide leg cropped trousers and a jade green or fuchsia pink shirt/blouse. You’ll probably be too hot for a blazer. Good luck!

Dresses:

Simple:

Community Clothing

Not so simple:

Studio Nicholson

Neutral:

Cos

(Not that a single person in the academic world will care - but a little updating of your work jacket / t shirt / trousers might not be the worst thing in the world.)

@SeditiousPam umm thank you. Only the blazer is really relevant here, the trousers and T-shirt are just placeholders really. Although the trousers are current in that they're a current range in M&S, but I'm going to return them.

I'm coming round to the view that a blazer might be too warm anyway, so maybe a blouse is a better idea.

Thanks for the dress suggestions but I can't wear black.

Yes I think you're right about it being too warm and a blouse might be a good move, although I don't really suit bright colours.

Each of those brands has a variety of frocks, @LittleArithmetics. I wasn’t suggesting you limit your looking to just the specific dresses I linked.

Cos would be most productive for shirts and blouses probably.