What to wear to present at a conference?
In the next two months, I have to give four presentations--1 at a departmental seminar, 2 at other universities (travel required), and my main presentation is at a conference. I've been trying to figure out what to wear for a few weeks. I've decided to wear a button down shirt or a twinset, a black skirt, and black flats for my three university presentations.
I've been stumped about what to wear to the conference (for four days) and to my presentation. I found an article written by Plonkee about what to wear to a 3 day business conference. She and all of the commenters agreed that a suit is necessary for the presentation. I don't own a suit, so I will probably have to buy one for the conference (in the middle of November). Here is a list of items I do own:
Bottoms
- Straight black skirt
- Gray wool pants
- Dark red twinset
- Button down shirts--yellow, blush, and light pink
- Black Cardigan
- Black Flats - extremely uncomfortable. Look extremely bizarre with skirts.
- Brown Flats
- Black heels - way too high to wear to a conference
Looking at the list of items I own that are acceptable to wear to a conference is eye-opening. Since I normally wear a solid colored shirt (t-shirt or polo shirt) with jeans to classes, I really don't have anything to wear to this conference.
Items I need to purchase
- Suit - preferably black. Should I buy a skirt or pant suit?
- Black flats - can wear with skirt or pants.
11 comments:
I recently presented at my alma mater, and I wore black pants, a pink cowl neck shirt and a black 3/4 length cardigan. Maybe that's a bit too casual for what you're doing, but I could have swapped out the cardigan for a jacket and been all set.
I'd start with a mix-and-match suit set from a place like Express or NY&Co--you can add pieces later on and the colors will always match. Go with black pants and a black jacket. You should wear heels either way, not flats. I think heels give a much more professional appearance, particularly in a situation where you want to look confident and in charge. They don't have to be high; even kitten heels (with a pointy or pointy-ish toe, not round or box) will work.
Suit jackets with button-down shirts tend to give women a masculine appearance (another reason for heels). If you can, get a shell top or blouse to go under the jacket instead.
I don't think you need to go with a skirt suit. I never see women wearing them at work, and then you don't have to worry about hosiery or not. Just jacket, top, pants and heels, and you should be all set.
You can find extremely nice used-suits at different consignment stores. Google used suits in your area to see if there is any place like that. Additionally, if you have any friends that are your size, ask if you can borrow theirs for the week. You can have them dry-cleaned afterward, which will cost a little money, but it will be substantially less expensive than buying a suit to wear this one time. If you are planning on doing more presentations, then buy one black suit - you can wear a suit again and again - just change your camisole underneath and your shoes and no one will remember! (not even the women!).
Hope this helps!
If you don't want to have a suit on hand for interviews when you complete your degree, you don't necessarily have to buy a suit right now. I work in an industry which can get very business formal. As a woman, I don't need to wear a full-on suit, though, provided I wear a sufficiently dressy shirt.
My last big meeting, I wore a silk top (saturated color, with darts and cap sleeves) from Macy's INC brand, some nice trousers from Ann Taylor Loft, and about 2.5 inch heels. The pants and the top combined were less expensive than a suit would have been, but the top was sufficiently dressy that it was appropriate without a suit jacket.
I don't know if a silk shirt would be considered too formal for an academic conference, but a dressy shirt/formal pants combo might be something to look into. I think the last time I bought a full-on suit, it cost about $350 for the jacket plus the pants... which would be an awful lot of money on a grad student budget. It's an investment, but it may not be an investment you want to make right now.
If you already have a skirt and pants, why not just buy a jacket? I don't think that a suit necessarily needs to match 100% to be nice.
I agree that Express and NY&Co have some great mix and match suits. I've picked up assorted jackets to dress up pants on several occasions. If you think you'll be presenting fairly often or needing a suit another couple of times, its a good idea to start looking for something a bit more permanent. Keep in mind when you're browsing clearance racks, that a tailor can make adjustments if a slightly out of size suit is a bargain.
I agree with the looking for a jacket - I don't know that you necessarily need to invest in a suit for this one presentation or future ones like it.
If you do decide on a suit, I would go with what Little Miss Moneybags said. NY&Company has great suits or suit pieces that mix & match easily. I should know, I own one for job interviews. They are also very comfortable. I imagine Express is much the same. Hope this helps!
A twinset is too casual.
For me, I love a patterned dress with a very formal blazer. This allows you to wear a little bit of color, and the blazer will up the formality. When people are only seeing you chest up, that's important. Don't forget a necklace!
The good thing about a dress + blazer is that you probably already have a dress that will work. If not, that's easy.
I think a good blazer is an investment piece, but it's also easy enough to pick up a mismatched one at TJ Maxx, as opposed to shelling out for a whole suit.
For what it matters, longer term, I think skirt suits are more practical in Texas because lined pants are just way too hot.
I have quite a few suits and dress-suit things from SYMS, which is in Dallas and in Houston.
You can get a decent suit there for more or less $100, which is what you need right now.
Regarding shoes a heel is a great idea. However, they must be comfortable. You never know how much walking/standing you'll have to do.
Ditch the uncomfortable flats. When your feet hurt it's hard to focus on anything else. Besides you're setting yourself up for future foot problems. I know.
I was just at TJ Maxx and they had a few really nice things that could definitely be very professional for not that much. I'd check them out in addition to consignment shops. Show us pictures!!! It will be easier for us to give you good opinions.
you should check out this blog: http://www.academichic.com/ These three girls are graduate students who document what the wore and ways they can stretch what they already have in their wardrobe to meet the demands that graduate school places on them.
You may get inspired to use a few more pieces from your current wardrobe and dress them up :)
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