Dress to Impress for Conferences
When you prepare for a conference, there’s more to pack than just your presentation script and laptop. You need to assemble a tried-and-true wardrobe that you can wear throughout the event. Though conferences keep you busy with walking, socializing, and participating in a seemingly endless series of activities, don’t sport activewear sets. So, how do you look good and feel comfortable at the same time?
You can stay comfortable and look great by sticking to casual business uniform attire. These professional tops, bottoms, and shoes blend well in a business setting and are suited for long-term wear. For maximum comfort, find pieces with a bit of stretch. Mix and match to create a great conference wardrobe. No matter what unexpected events come your way, you will have the right clothes to make yourself presentable. Here is how to dress to impress for a successful conference.
Keep it Professional 24/7
When selecting your daytime clothing, think about three words: comfort, class, and cleanliness. Be intentional about ironing any button-down shirts that have wrinkled in your suitcase, choose cotton blends with stretch if you know you’re going to be walking a lot, and above all, make sure that your clothes look professional on you. When it comes to professional fashion, a great fit is half the battle. Avoid anything too loose or tight, with controversial slogans and images, or in bright colors such as neon pink that make you stand out too much in a sea of people.
And, oddly enough, what you wear to sleep matters too. Most conferences last a series of days and are out of town. Unless you have a private room, you will be sharing living quarters with another coworker. While you may love to wear revealing pajamas to bed, your roommate may raise an eyebrow. Instead, bring full-coverage pajama sets that you can comfortably wear around your roommate.
Impressive Tops
How you dress for the day depends on your scheduled activities. Are you going to give a speech or presentation? Then you should plan to wear your best clothes that day. For an ultra-sharp look, wear slacks, a button-down shirt, and blazer. Ladies can also look great in a knee-length business skirt, tights, custom dressy blouse, and blazer. Finish your impactful outfit with a fresh pair of loafers or short heels. When you are doing more walking and less public speaking, embroidered company work polo shirts, blouses, cardigans, vests, and v-neck sweaters are excellent choices. Every piece you select should speak to the dignity of your profession and the pride you have in your company. Dress with the intention to meet new people and to make a great impression.
Complementary Slacks and Jeans
A great top needs uniform work pants of equal caliber. These bottoms are both modest and tasteful. Not only do you need a great fit, but you also need to make sure that they are in good condition. This is not the time to sport board shorts! Slacks with a little bit of stretch work great for both men and women who need easy, no-nonsense conference pants. Jeans also work, provided they are appropriate for the conference setting and not ripped, faded, or too tight. Wear a button-down shirt, polo, blouse, vest, or blazer to make the jeans look more formal. A pair of black jeans also work well and can often pass as slacks. Ladies can also wear knee-length skirts throughout the weekend, as these bottoms match with practically any top. If it is cold, stockings will complement the skirt to chase away the chill.
Accessories for Business Travel
How can you go to a conference without your trusted laptop, tablet, and chargers? When you can store great information immediately through a recording or quick notes with your stylus, you get more out of the event. The way you store these essential items matters just as much as your outfit. If you don’t plan ahead, you can end up carrying around your phone or tablet in any bag you find. But if you invest in a business bag that has plenty of compartments for all your needs, you can look extra-sharp. Make sure your bag is not ostentatious; choose a solid color in dark or neutral tones. A well-made bag will make storing and retrieving key items like your stylus, pens, notepads, and phone chargers easy. Go from session to session knowing that you have all your items with you and that your bag complements all your business casual clothing.
How would you like to dress for your next conference? What ideas will you integrate into your professional wardrobe?