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Conference Attire: Are Cropped Pants Suitable? No Denim or Shorts Allowed.

In summary, most people at this conference are dressed properly, but there are a lot of people not dressed properly. Cropped pants are appropriate for this conference.
Lifeat50
138
Are cropped pants appropriate for conference?

I have read no denim. I am assuming no shorts. Any other no-no's?
 
All the No Nos you read about & when you get there you will be amazed at what you see. Most of the people are dressed proper, but ALOT are not...:rolleyes:
 
I usually wear cropped pants to conference but nice ones, no jean crops.
 
It is a business conference. Business casual is appropriate.
 
This will be my first year going as well. Are there other "no nos"? That would be nice to know a head a time. Do you take a notebook?
 
Yes to a notebook. You'll get a tote bag when you check in at the registration desk (conference, not hotel).Wear comfy shoes. We're typically spread all over McCormick Place, which is huge. There's a LOT of walking to get between workshops, general sessions and meals. There are already a lot of threads about dress code. Your interpretation of "business casual" will depend a lot on what area of the country you're in, and what industry you're in as well. A lot of people consider cropped pants biz casual, but I would have been sent home from my day job (which was biz casual) if I had shown up for work in them.A better rule is- do you feel professional and comfortable in your chosen attire? Are you sure that someone won't mistake you for a streetwalker? (Yes, I've seen people at conference who looked like they walked in from the nearest busy streetcorner.) Would you feel comfortable meeting a reporter and telling them that you own your own business - giving off an air of professionalism, not "laundry day"?
 
Excellent rules of thumb, Ann.
 
Ditto what Ann said.

Congratulations on going to NC your first year with PC. You will love it!
 
After my first conference I made myself notes on what to back next time ... #1 - VERY COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! #2 - a sweater for chilly conference rooms #3 nice capri's & top is just fine - you'll want something nice for your dinner but you should be comfortable during the day. The biggest thing was the shoes! I brought all my "cute" dressy sandals and shucked them after day 1, except at dinner.
have fun - it's so awesome!!!
 
  • #10
Whoops ... meant to type "what to pack"

PartiesbyJamie said:
After my first conference I made myself notes on what to back next time ... #1 - VERY COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! #2 - a sweater for chilly conference rooms #3 nice capri's & top is just fine - you'll want something nice for your dinner but you should be comfortable during the day. The biggest thing was the shoes! I brought all my "cute" dressy sandals and shucked them after day 1, except at dinner.
have fun - it's so awesome!!!
 
  • #11
Ann I love your wording! What a great visual you created. :) Having worked for an organization that held such corporate events, I know exactly what you mean as those same street walkers were at some of our conferences. (I do give them credit for having such confidence in themselves) And you nailed it on the head on what part of the country you come from - amazing how much location makes a difference in what we see as 'the norm' and how we interpret different things. Just my two cents for the evening.
 
  • #12
Thank y'all so much. Boy do I ever understand the whole street walker thing! WOW is all I can say for some that walk out of their homes looking the way they do. Sometimes you just want to ask if they own a mirror! LOL
I will be bringing my notedbook and COMFORTABLE SHOES!!!
 
  • #13
Leigh - that is my exact comment when I see such appearances - "Do they own a mirror?" but then as I said above, I follow that up with "If so, gosh I admire their confidence." To each their own! And that's what makes the world go round.
 
  • #14
My frequent comment is, "Well, that's an interesting fashion choice."
 
  • #15
I had a counter with me last year (the kind frequently used at sporting events to count attendees as they enter), and I counted the number of fashion disasters that crossed the stage.
 
  • #16
Like you said, each region of the US is different. Here in FL we are probably more casual than the rest of the country. We were capri pants and open-toed shoes as business casual. Believe me, we don't look like we just woke up in our pajamas. LOL
 
  • #17
I think you can tell the difference, though, between regional norms and fashion disasters. I don't wear capris. I don't wear sleeveless anything unless it's covered by a blouse or jacket. Mostly, though, that's because I'm more comfortable with a little more coverage.
 
  • #18
raebates said:
I think you can tell the difference, though, between regional norms and fashion disasters.

Absolutely! Just like there's a difference in being neat and pressed vs. throwing on something that was just pulled out of the suitcase. And one can look more professional in pressed capris and a blouse than in a wrinkled skirt suit.

The disasters I was referring to above were people wearing things that were waaayyyyy too casual for stage (if you're walking the stage, you're being recognized for one of the top awards or for promoting to Director or above - dress to reflect that), or were completely unflattering to the wearer. People who know they're going to be crossing stage should take the time to find appropriate foundation garments and an outfit that camouflages, not emphasizes, any figure flaws.
 
  • #19
Since this will be my first time going I am wondering if anyone has shown up displaying their "assets". You know what I am getting at, right? Seems like women down here in FL like to "advertise" themselves with low-cut blouses.

When I go shopping it surprises me how low-cut the clothes are. Seems like you have to buy a T-shirt to go underneath.
 
  • #20
DessertDivaFL said:
Since this will be my first time going I am wondering if anyone has shown up displaying their "assets". You know what I am getting at, right? Seems like women down here in FL like to "advertise" themselves with low-cut blouses.

When I go shopping it surprises me how low-cut the clothes are. Seems like you have to buy a T-shirt to go underneath.
Yeah- that's exactly what I was referring to when I mentioned people looking like streetwalkers. I saw one woman one year in a low-cut, spaghetti-strap, LACE cami as her shirt. And she was a large woman. The straps looked like shoelaces tied around bread dough. *shudder*
 
  • #21
DessertDivaFL said:
Since this will be my first time going I am wondering if anyone has shown up displaying their "assets". You know what I am getting at, right? Seems like women down here in FL like to "advertise" themselves with low-cut blouses.

When I go shopping it surprises me how low-cut the clothes are. Seems like you have to buy a T-shirt to go underneath.

Oh my! A couple of years ago, there was a woman who walked...as a director, or for TPC....I don't remember for what. I DO remember that she was extremely well endowed, and was wearing a very skimpy low-cut red dress. When she stopped in the middle of the stage and waved - she shook her bazookas from side to side very vigorously...and she was on a close-up on the large screen. It was crude.

I've seen women in micro-mini's w/ 6 inch platform heels, and the itty bitty spaghetti strap tops. I wonder in what profession is that considered business casual?:rolleyes:
 
  • #22
I've seen women in micro-mini's w/ 6 inch platform heels, and the itty bitty spaghetti strap tops. I wonder in what profession is that considered business casual?:rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

Only on 5th and Main.....LOL Sorry had to say that!:D
 
  • #23
I made the suggestion after last NC that the HO pair with a company to offer bra fittings and suggestions for dressing to your body type. Those two things could help tremendously.And, as for the low-cut stuff: 1) As Clinton from What Not to Wear says, "Chest yes. Boobies no. In other words, if it jiggles, cover it up." 2) That's what dickies* are for. ;)*For those who have never heard of dickies, they're sort of false collars. They look like someone has taken a shirt or turtleneck, cut out a rectangle 2" on either side of the neck and 6" to 8" in the front and back, and then finished the edge. You wear it under something to have a more finished look without the bulk or insulation of a full shirt.
 
  • #24
"Oh my! A couple of years ago, there was a woman who walked...as a director, or for TPC....I don't remember for what. I DO remember that she was extremely well endowed, and was wearing a very skimpy low-cut red dress. When she stopped in the middle of the stage and waved - she shook her bazookas from side to side very vigorously...and she was on a close-up on the large screen. It was crude."

:D Oh my gosh! I think if I see that on stage next month I will be laughing so hard they'll have to escort me out of the room! :p
 
  • #25
You will see anything and everything at NC.
I'm from TX and nice capri's are definitely considered business casual. Last year I wore them to NC, but the ones I had were cuffed, so they were pretty nice in my opinion and I felt comfortable in them. But, there were people in 'normal' capri's and the all kinds of other things. One thing I got a huge kick out of........was there was this certain male, very upper level director with the company who wore denim the entire time......now, granted his denim probably cost 100's of dollars, but there he was in denim nonetheless!!!
 
  • #26
.Ok I had considered going this year even big and pregnant. I work here in central Illinois for a large corp. our dress code is nice jeans and tops. Being pregnant going to conference would require me to buy a new wardrobe for a one time wear... yeah not so much.
I am glad this was brought up because I would have felt bad being there dressed incorrectly and probably left early
 
  • #27
JDooley said:
.Ok I had considered going this year even big and pregnant. I work here in central Illinois for a large corp. our dress code is nice jeans and tops. Being pregnant going to conference would require me to buy a new wardrobe for a one time wear... yeah not so much.
I am glad this was brought up because I would have felt bad being there dressed incorrectly and probably left early

I think you should go! Don't worry about your clothes. Personally, I think there is a LOT of leeway to be given if you are pregnant! Everyone knows when you're pregnant, you wear what fits and feels comfortable! My feet were so swollen the last 2 months of my pregnancy, I only wore $3 Flip Flops! AND almost every day, I had on one of two pairs of shorts - because they were comfy. I wore them to church, and every place else I was allowed to go!
 
  • #28
I agree with Becky GO!.. If you want your biz to grow and thrive after baby I think it would be a huge benefit. You will not only learn alot you can chat with other cons. outside your group and get advice on how they kept up their biz after a baby.

just my .02... you need to do what is best for you and your family.
 
  • #29
JDooley said:
.Ok I had considered going this year even big and pregnant. I work here in central Illinois for a large corp. our dress code is nice jeans and tops. Being pregnant going to conference would require me to buy a new wardrobe for a one time wear... yeah not so much.
I am glad this was brought up because I would have felt bad being there dressed incorrectly and probably left early

I had been thinking about posting on this thread for the same reason. I am going to conference and I will be very big and pregnant too. I have been thinking there must be some leeway for me. My nice clothes consist of a pair of decent capris and a denim skirt. I will most likelly wear both of them. I may even wear a pair of jeans with a nice shirt because of the shoes. I am dreading walking all over McCormick center in sandals and I will only wear my tennis shoes with jeans so we'll see.
That being said, I will be walking the stage so I will wear a nice black dress and then all I have to worry about is again the shoes, I hope my heels still fit in July!
I really would just come to conference and wear what you wear to work. Last year I bought new clothes for conference and this year we just can't afford it. I wouldn't let it keep me from going. If you decide to come and are in wave 1 we could hang out in jeans together so we both feel better:)
 
  • #30
cincychef said:
I had been thinking about posting on this thread for the same reason. I am going to conference and I will be very big and pregnant too. I have been thinking there must be some leeway for me. My nice clothes consist of a pair of decent capris and a denim skirt. I will most likelly wear both of them. I may even wear a pair of jeans with a nice shirt because of the shoes. I am dreading walking all over McCormick center in sandals and I will only wear my tennis shoes with jeans so we'll see.
That being said, I will be walking the stage so I will wear a nice black dress and then all I have to worry about is again the shoes, I hope my heels still fit in July!
I really would just come to conference and wear what you wear to work. Last year I bought new clothes for conference and this year we just can't afford it. I wouldn't let it keep me from going. If you decide to come and are in wave 1 we could hang out in jeans together so we both feel better:)

When I walked, I wore comfy shoes all day and just wore my nice shoes to walk the stage. You don't have to wear the heels all day!

I will be 32 weeks preggo at conference. I have capris, one skirt, dress for banquet....I think we will get special dispensation for our wardrobe. :) I know I will be more underdressed than usual, but that's life. Maternity clothes is so darn expensive!
 
  • #31
Thats what I am going to do, wear comfy shoes all day and switch to heels to walk the stage, I will be lucky if I can wear them for that long! I will be about 32 weeks too.
 
  • #32
Thanks for the support on the maternity thing glad to see others are in the same situation!!! I will talk to hubby and see what he thinks!

looks like we are all due ABOUT the same time. Doc really hates me traveling after 30 weeks. she even makes me work from home at 35 weeks because i have a hour commute
 
  • #33
Probably inappropriate but I am so jealous of all you preggos! Its just not in the cards for us financially, etc. to have more but deep down I would LOVE to get accidently pregnant! A little hard when you use birth control but they always say 1%...
 
  • #34
JDooley said:
Thanks for the support on the maternity thing glad to see others are in the same situation!!! I will talk to hubby and see what he thinks!

looks like we are all due ABOUT the same time. Doc really hates me traveling after 30 weeks. she even makes me work from home at 35 weeks because i have a hour commute

I'll be closer to my midwife while I'm at conference than I am when I'm at home. LOL
 
  • #35
Deb

Don't go into labor during conference... you might miss something important...LOL HA HA
 
  • #36
Flamingo said:
Deb

Don't go into labor during conference... you might miss something important...LOL HA HA

Yeah, but think of the excitement it would add. :D
 
  • #37
I would die of embarassment if I went into labor at conference. Of course, I'd have to be pregnant first, and that isn't gonna happen. (I can't even imagine - I'd throw myself in front of a speeding bus if I ever had a positive pregnancy test.)
 
  • #38
I can tell you that once a woman goes into labor any ability to be embarrassed immediately vanishes along with any modesty she might have had.And, Ann, you're not the first person to express to me those sentiments about getting pregnant.
 

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