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There have been a TON of queries on right here lately about what to put on to a conference in 2024’s weird style era… so let’s talk about! I’ll throw out some subjects I’ve observed brought up and I’d like to see you guys weigh in on them in the comments…

In the previous, we’ve discussed the 5 points you have to bring to conferences, how to network at conferences, and we even took a stab at what to put on to a beachy conference with a “resort company casual” attire.

connected: The Ultimate Guide to Small business Casual for Ladies

What Need to You Put on to a Conference in 2024?

A lot of the queries I’ve observed wonder about the following sorts of workwear products:

• dresses: are they in or out? sleeves? pockets?
• blazers?
• can you repeat portions of an outfit (such as wearing the identical blazer on two unique days)?
• can you put on tights if it is going to be cold in May well? what if it is some spot like Florida and will be chilly that day — will black tights appear out of spot?

For my $.02…

Do not Put on a Skirt or Dress To a Conference Unless You Know What to Put on on Your Legs

If it is a query — of no matter if tights are seasonally proper, or if the conference is formal adequate to call for pantyhose — then skip the dress and go for pants as an alternative.

(That stated, I’ve stated in the previous that a perform dress with pockets and sleeves is the fantastic issue to put on to a conference… and we just rounded up a bunch.)

Put on Blazers and Layers to Ward Against Chilly Conference A/C

I, of course, am constantly a fan of a blazer (or sweater blazer, if the conference is much more casual or if the rest of your outfit is much more structured) — and I’d also recommend bringing a cardigan or wrap in your bag so you can throw it on major of the blazer for much more warmth. (A wrap can also go on your legs if you are freezing for the duration of the conference

Put on Garments with Pockets to the Conference

Yet another large bonus to the blazer (if you pick out wisely): you will have a pocket for company cards. Otherwise, make certain your pants have pockets!

Put on Comfy Footwear That Appear Vaguely Qualified

If you know you are going to be walking a lot — or that you may be walking numerous blocks to lunches, dinners, or cocktail parties — you actually do not want to be that individual complaining about your footwear.

At the identical time, I really feel like you can get away with a lot of footwear that may be a small bit fug in the interest of wearing comfy footwear.

(We’ll place some of our preferred comfy-but-qualified footwear at the bottom of this post…)

A fantastic backup: maintain foldable flats in your bag to modify into in case of emergency. (I’ve also made use of them as hotel slippers.)

Do not Repeat Outfits, But Really feel Totally free to Put on Separates Many Methods

I feel everybody understands that your conference attire is restricted due to packing restraints — so do not really feel overwhelmed to have a entirely new outfit. I would attempt to differ it adequate to make it clear that you are not wearing yesterday’s clothing, even though — if you are going to put on a blazer with pants one particular day, I’d perhaps put on the identical pants with a unique blazer on day two, and Blazer 1 with a dress or unique style of pants on day three.

When In Doubt, Appear for Conference Photographs From Prior Years

There is ordinarily someplace, no matter if it is the conference internet site or Instagram hashtags, exactly where you can figure out what individuals have worn at your precise conference. This is going to be your very best guide!

I’ve also (meticulously) asked ladies colleagues who I know have attended the conference in the previous broad queries like “is this a pantyhose type of circumstance?” I say “carefully” for the reason that you in all probability want to have a quite close partnership with a senior colleague to even ask a broad query like that. (There can also be perform politics at play, if only a handful of individuals are selected to attend the conference just about every year, or whatnot.)

Hold In Thoughts That Unique Conference Days Could possibly Have Unique Attire

I feel it is widespread for the final day of conferences to have a lot much more variation in people’s attire for the reason that individuals could be leaving midday for yet another occasion. The individuals who are headed to court or other Massive Meetings may be in much more formal suits than they’ve worn the rest of the conference — even though a lot of individuals may also be in comfy traveling attire.

(This is a terrific time to bust out your preferred pull-on pants for the workplace if you are asking yourself what to put on for the plane! Know your audience, but particular athleisure — like Athleta pants — may be proper right here also.)

Can You Put on Sneakers to a Conference?

Know your audience, right here — for much more formal, corporate conferences, I would in all probability lean towards no, but it could actually differ widely… as an alternative, go for comfy flats like loafers, Mary Jane flats or pointy toe flats.

Yet another fantastic alternative right here: that subset of fugly-but-comfy-and-vaguely-qualified heels that we’ve referred to as “commuting heels” in the previous. (These are specifically terrific to know about as wide leg trousers have come back into style, for the reason that they keep hem length!)

Some of our preferred brands for this type of shoe include things like FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, Børn, and Miz Mooz.

What Need to Ladies Put on to Speak at a Conference?

This is a slightly unique query, of course, but I’ve observed it adequate right here (for the reason that you guys rock) that we ought to talk about right here also. How is it unique?

The two primary considerations I’ve observed readers note time and time once more:

Be wary of microphone cords. For instance, if you are going to be miked with wires and cords, a dress is significantly less than terrific for the reason that a lot of these cords will have to go up via your dress.

Be wary of skirts. Will you be seated for the duration of your speech or panel? Or at any point for the duration of it? Will you be on a raised dais? Will there be something strong in front of your legs, such as a tablecloth or a strong podium? If the answer to any of these is “maybe,” then, once more, a dress or skirt in all probability is not what you want to put on.

(That stated, if you nonetheless want to go with a dress, do verify out our current roundup of day to evening dresses — they have adequate of an effect to be fantastic for a leader or VIP.)

For my $.02, I’d recommend that ladies who are speaking attempt to convey authority with a blazer or Chanel-like jacket… this is a terrific chance to go for anything bold and memorable, but it is also a fine time to justify anything like one particular of our preferred pricy blazers.

This could also be a terrific chance to bust out a “fun suit” like the ones we function on Wednesdays… I’ll place some of my most recent favorites under. Of course, know your individual brand (and profession ambitions for the conference, no matter if it is having new customers or getting memorable as an professional), as nicely as the common conference attire just before having a bit as well wild…

Our Most recent Favored Blazers to Splurge On

Hunting for a luxe statement blazer? 2024 favorites include things like Smythe, include things like McQueen, L’Agence, Veronica Beard, The Fold, Armani, and Anine Bing.

Our Most recent Favored Chanel-Like Jackets

Some of our most recent preferred Chanel-style jackets for perform in 2024 include things like these, but in common verify brands like Chanel, St. John, IRO, L’Agence, Sandro, ba&ampsh, and J.Crew. On the price range side of points, verify out Mango, Express, and White Home Black Market place.

Some of Kat’s Most recent Favored Enjoyable Suits

We round up a exciting suit every week for our “Suit of the Week” function — some of Kat’s most recent favorites include things like this gold brocade quantity, this blue velvet pant suit, this rockstar-like jacquard suit with tiny birds, and this incredibly uncommon print suit from Etro.

What are the Finest Footwear to Put on to a Conference?

I’ve observed requests right here for wedges, comfy heels, comfy flats, and much more! I feel most readers would agree that this is not the time to attempt out these 4″ heels that you have only worn in the division retailer.

I’ll place some of our most recent preferred footwear in these categories below… but readers, I’d like to hear what you have to say!

Comfy Flats to Put on to a Conference

Loafers

As of 2024, some of our preferred loafers for perform are from Sam Edelman, Everlane, and Madewell. If you want anything much more classic, readers like Sperry and Ferragamo if you want comfort, Vionic and Dr. Scholl’s each have alternatives. Meanwhile, if you want anything a bit much more feminine or slouchy, the Tory Burch loafers are all actually hugely rated at Nordstrom (specially this “ballet loafer“)! (Tory Burch also tends to make a “rain loafer” if you do a lot of commuting in wet climate!)

Mary Jane Flats and Other Strappy Flats

Ballet Flats and Other Slip-On Designs

Foldable Flats

Comfy Heels to Put on to a Conference

Wedge Heels

As of 2024 there are a lot of wedge heels for perform lately that appear terrific for commuting or understanding to stroll in heels… Nordstrom specially has a ton, as do J.Crew and Vivaia! Some of our present favorites:

Commuting Heels

If you are hunting for commuting heels, as of 2024 we’d suggest brands like FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, Børn, and Miz Mooz. These assistance you keep height for pants hemmed for heels — but with much more comfy footwear for your commute.

Yet another alternative: wedge sneakers.

connected: verify out our Guide to Comfy Heels!

“Comfort” Heels

If you are looking for “comfort heels,” verify out brands like Clarks, Naturalizer, Trotters, Cole Haan, Vionic, and Lifestride! If you absolutely want a steady base, verify out brands like FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, Børn — they’re terrific as commuting heels (for the reason that you can keep height for pants hemmed for heels), but they could also be just the ticket if you want anything much more comfy.

Some of our most recent preferred comfort heels for 2024 are below…

Low Heels

These are some of our preferred comfy low heels for perform as of 2024… also verify out CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flynt!

Stock photo by way of Deposit Photographs / toxawww.