Do’s and Don’ts of Conference Attire

Attending a conference is a great way to learn about new ideas in your industry and network with other professionals in your field.

The dress code for a person who attends a conference, seminar, business meetings, etc., is somehow different than what you might wear for a job interview or other venues that require business professional attire.

To help you decide what to wear, check if there is a conference dress code, or do a little research about typical attire for conferences in your field.

Here are some general guidelines to consider for business casual dress.

Dress Code for Men

Getting the right outfit together to make a good impression will be important. It will take some planning.

Suits

It will be conservative if men wear a full suit for formal meetings, with two-button and single-button coats. Find a suit in a flattering shade that is professional without being over the top. Classic grey or navy look great with light colored tops and nearly any color tie. Some use solid or striped suits; if you use striped ones, make sure the lines are thin enough not to be so attractive.

It is very important to open both buttons when sitting down. When standing or walking immediately button up your coat. It is not a good idea to put something in the pockets of your coat. Do not put anything in the inner pockets of your coat, because it will create a very bad bump when you button up your coat.

Shirts

Long-sleeved shirts are considered dressier than short-sleeved and are appropriate even in summer. Choosing white or light blue solid, or conservative stripes is your safest choice. Polo shirts (tucked in, of course) are acceptable in more casual situations.

Socks/Shoes

For shoes, your trainers might be comfortable but they’re almost certainly not conference-appropriate, so leave them at home!

Smart leather shoes or boots which can be worn under your trousers are the best choices. Do remember to try out your shoes by wearing them around the house for a few hours to make sure that they’re comfortable – you can do a surprisingly large amount of walking during a conference and you don’t want to be dealing with blisters or sore feet from ill-fitting shoes.

Black and brown shoes with simple straps are good choices for your attire in a formal meeting like a conference. Don’t buy big platform shoes. For classic men’s shoes, the most common heel heights are 1″ or 1 1/8”, corresponding to about 25 mm and 29 mm respectively. No sandals, athletic shoes or hiking boots.

The socks should be completely black in color. The rest of colors for socks are not acceptable at all so don’t waste your time finding another color!

Ties/Belts

Accessories like colorful ties or bow ties, tie pins, or pocket squares are fun ways to add a bit of individuality to your look.

If you want to wear a tie, bright colors like violet is a good choice. The choice depends on your taste.

Your belt is better to be leather, black, and plain, and with a bucket that does not attract attention.

Dress Code for Women

For women, it can be a bit of a challenge to know what to wear to an academic conference.

Pants/Skirts

For the most businesslike appearance, pants are good choices. A knee-length skirt is preferable although a long skirt may be more desirable. This is worth considering as some situations in a conference setting will benefit from a level of modesty.

Shirt/Sweaters/Jackets

A tailored shirt, blouse or knit sweater is an appropriate business casual choice for women. A tailored jacket can be a good choice. Hosiery should be considered with skirts.

Shoes

Closed-toe shoes, sandals which are neither extremely dressy nor extremely casual are appropriate. Regardless of what is in style, avoid extreme. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes.

Accessories

If you want to add a pop of color or bit of visual interest to your outfit, you can add a colorful but still muted and appropriate accessory, such as simple emerald earrings or a patterned pair of loafer socks.

Avoid selecting any jewelry or accessories that are too large, bright, colorful, or distracting. Instead, focus on choosing accessories that subtly add to your outfit and that are in-line with the professional tone of your outfit.