I joined this forum, it must be three years ago, for help deciding what to wear for a work conference at which I was scheduled to speak.
And I've asked you all for help for every conference speaking engagement I've had since.
So, in keeping with tradition - I'm speaking at my normal fall conference this week. I have work shirts from the spring conference that I'm not required to wear, but it's somewhat expected that I do (besides that most of my other clothes are still packed from moving).
The conference is three days, but I'm only required to go to two of them, so I may or may not attend the third. I need at least two solid outfits. I'm speaking the second day, which means that the first impressions outfit will be different from the speaking outfit.
I have three possibilities for trousers (light gray, dark gray and black) and two colors of shirts (black and white - but I own two of the black). Here's what I've managed to come up with as possibilities so far.
#1 - black work shirt, dark gray trousers, cognac belt, shoes and jacket.
#2 - same as #1, but with a white work shirt that just seems glaringly bright to me.
#3 - black work shirt with light gray trousers - belt and shoes also black.
#4 - column of black with a white jacket.
New options:
#5 - Narrower black pants with black top (white belt and jacket, black shoes). I like these better than the black pants in #4, which feel too big to me. These are also big, but less obviously so, to me.
#6 -Same as #5, without jacket
#7 - Cropped navy trousers, with high-shaft beetle booties, so that I can wear socks. This looks strange, right?
#8 - Same as #7, but removed the socks and put on the more comfy shoes. It's summer, maybe I can get away with showing my ankles? I'm nervous about the frigid A/C, but it's quite warm outside (almost 90F).
#9 - same as #8, removed the white belt. I'd add a black belt for low contrast.
#10 - same as #9, but with navy ankle pants rolled.
#11 - Navy jeans with black shirt (they're a dressier fabrication than most denim, and would be dressy enough - this is construction industry and Nebraska).
#12 - Navy jeans with white shirt. I'd add a black belt, or maybe a white one.
#13 - As long as I'm considering bare ankles, why not culottes? I have a pair of silk long underwear under these, and they were very warm for this try-on. (Still no guarantee that my ankles wouldn't freeze, but the rest of me wouldn't).
#14 - Culottes with black shirt.
#15 - added the white jacket. There's no belt loops for me to add a white belt, and I'm not sure the jacket goes by itself.
#16 - totally bare legs and knees. I think I'd freeze. And it's not seasonally appropriate to add thermal tights to it, so I doubt this one will happen (besides that the proportions are off, aren't they?)
All of these are dressy enough - that's not a real concern for me. My real care is to look competent and be comfortable.
What would you suggest? (Do you see a combo that I'm missing? I don't think I can get away with a skirt or ankle pants because they keep it 65* in there, and I'll freeze to death).
My current thoughts are to wear #5-6 one day, and either navy trousers, navy ankle pants or culottes the other... I'm not sure. What do you think now?
