This thread has probably been posted before but I'm new and couldn't find one!

For all you more experienced female researchers - what do women normally wear to present at an academic conference? I'm in the first year of my PhD and my supervisor (a man so can't dare ask him!) has suggested giving a co-paper at an important conference next year. I'm very excited - All the major scholars in my field will be there and I want to make a good impression. I probably should be worried about the paper itself but I'm a typical woman! Are they very dressy affairs or is a 'smart-casual' look more appropriate? Also, what do you guys think is appropriate to wear to the conference dinner that night, the same kind of conservative thing or do women tend go all out at these things? Thanks, I havn't a clue!

Claire :$

I presented a paper at an international conference some years ago. I just wore comfy trousers and a smart shirt, so smart casual basically. Because I had a transatlantic flight and no ironing facilities ease of travel and non-creasing was also important. Everyone else there seemed very relaxed too.

Hi Claire!

I love going to conferences - because it gives me a chance to meet people with a similar interest, network, socialise and wear some great clothes! I don't stick to conservative 'smart wear' - because its good to stand out and be remembered (within reason!). I tend to go for something fashionable, but sophisticated. I do dress up a bit because its not just your research on show, but yourself as a researcher and academic. Be confident and be yourself.

And I've always had fun at the conference dinners, people tend to relax a bit more, so again wearing something a bit more casual is accepted. Bring a few things and then you can decide at the time what you feel comfortable with.

Thats the best advice I can give - based on conferences I've been too!

Thanks guys :-)

I was thinking about wearing a nice pencil skirt with a shirt or a tee and cardie, or maybe a smart dress and small(ish) heels - didn't know if I would be too dressed up or not!

That sounds fine :-)

I'm sure you'll look great!

Hi MissG

Yes, pencil skirt, tee and cardie sounds just fine. Make sure you're comfortable - you don't want to be picking at your skirt or worrying about heels while you're talking and moving around. Conference dinners do tend to be a bit dressy - you want to look really good so you make a good impression on people, so choose something a bit swish, like a really nice frock. It will also make you feel fabulous and confident, which will help when you're networking. You'll have fun!

All I would say is - make sure you have pockets!:$. I usually wear trousers and a casual-ish jacket, because it is easier, I find somewhere to put something that doesn't involve a bag is very useful. Oh, and make sure you have turned off your mobile. I was once sitting in a conference, when I remembered I had left mine on, and all through one of the presentations I was thinking 'nobody phone me' it was a relief when the clapping started and I could turn it off.

When having the same concerns for my first conference, I did a little internet research and discovered that the conference posted photos of the last year's event. So that was an easy way to see what was typical attire.

On a side note, I have always been shocked at how casual some people get at conferences; but never shocked about how fancy they are (because they rarely are). Maybe it's just my field, but I've seen baggy jeans and hoodies at banquets where I would have assumed dress pants and a button up shirt would be the absolute minimum.

I am pathetic I realise! I have spoken multiple times in the first yr of my PhD and have another major conference on 5th Jan and have neevr worn anything but my usual - jeans, top, my usuall small-heels. and my usual earrings.

So on 5th Jan, I'm wearing my jeans, a printed casual top and a nice, confident smile :-)

Ah, but bug, you will have the essential pockets!!!!:-)

But Bug, wouldn't you feel more confident wearing smart casual work clothes? I need to get a bit dressed up when I present, so I know I look good, feel good, and exude confidence. Not meaning to criticise, but I think it's important to get away from wearing student-type clothes and to look more professional. I want to come across as an aspiring academic, not a student. Great if jeans makes you comfortable and relaxes you, it just wouldn't work for me.

Thanks guys :)

Just found out about another two conferences - one in which I have to present the paper myself - I think a pencil skirt shopping day is in order :)

This might be of help to those who are, ahem, not blessed in the height department. I'm barely 5"2, and used to be frequently stuck for formal wear for any academic situations. Businesswear used to swim on me, and it was not cheap. That is, until I found that Marks and Spencers (UK shop) did a lovely range of childrenswear that also extended to formal clothes (think blouses, jackets etc). I bought a boy's secondary-school black blazer for £8, and paired it with a pair of black trousers. Bingo, instant conference suit! The most important things for me were that I didn't show too much skin, YMMV. I also needed pockets that I could load with specific items - spare pen, business cards, room for a laser pointer if necessary.
The childrenswear idea has helped me expand my wardrobe, and it looks fitted, as well as being cheap enough to buy 'fashionable' pieces that can be worn under the 'suit'.

Items I'd never part with are:
cardigan - essential for summer and winter, can be thrown on over a blouse/shirt if you feel 'naked' without a jacket
Patterned shirt - basic pinstripe, but I love it, pure white reminds me of being at school
black trousers with pockets - I can't function without pockets!
plain black socks - I will never forget the cautionary tale of one girl in her A-levels who had unthinkingly put on a christmas gift of novelty socks. The kind that sing 'rudolph the red nosed reindeer' when jiggled. The poor girl was rigid with fear throughout the exam that she'd be thrown out for cheating and taking a 'device' into the exam hall...we had a very strict invigilator...

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Hi Sue,

Am absolutely Ok with this image of mine! And no, I wouldn't be comfy with 'work' clothes as you say. my work vs life clothes mix is that I wear shorts/parallels/tees at home in varying levels of tatter (or not!) and very well maintained jeans and nice, colourful tops at work. As for student image to professional image - well, apart from steadily raising the bar for the content I present, I am not very bothered with the visual aspects of this! Things have been burgeoning from one conference to another, and one event seems to always trigger a wider network and another talk/event/invitation! Not just conferences, jeans-top is exactly what I wear on my two pan European project related workshops/conferences/meetings etc and things have been brilliant!

:-) I think clothes and image management is an entirely personal choice and people wear what 'goes' best with who they are and where they are. Like you, I too spend thought on what I wear, and my image is not a coincidental thing. I feel, look and think good up there, exude confidence as you say, and am told that I come across as a future scholar (sup's words!) and posied and articulate (recent panel chair's wods who emailed sup about me !!) So am taking it that things are absolutely fine!

Just dont want to write this on new years day, but something pulled me back to this post, Sue, and I realise you did actually criticise without meaning to! Anyway, as I said, it was uninentional, cheers, bug