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How should I dress for an academic conference?

post #1 of 45
1/16/12 at 5:08pm
Thread Starter 
Dear MC,

I have to present a several conferences in the next couple months, and I have no idea how to dress. I don't really want to ask the people in my department because they are slobs. I was thinking a navy blue suit, shell shoes and a simple tie, or is that too much? Should I ditch the jacket and just put on a sweater?

Love,

Teger
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post #2 of 45
1/16/12 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teger View Post

Dear MC,
I have to present a several conferences in the next couple months, and I have no idea how to dress. I don't really want to ask the people in my department because they are slobs. I was thinking a navy blue suit, shell shoes and a simple tie, or is that too much? Should I ditch the jacket and just put on a sweater?
Love,
Teger

Suit+shirt+possibly tie when you present, maybe sportscoat or sweater, no tie and grey pants or raw jeans when you don't (depending on how people dress).
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post #3 of 45
1/16/12 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teger View Post

Dear MC,
I have to present a several conferences in the next couple months, and I have no idea how to dress. I don't really want to ask the people in my department because they are slobs. I was thinking a navy blue suit, shell shoes and a simple tie, or is that too much? Should I ditch the jacket and just put on a sweater?
Love,
Teger

On days you are in audience: Wear what you like. A smart casual look is a safe bet particularly if you are there to also meet people.

If you are presenting: What you suggested is fine. I usually present in a dark colored suit like gray or navy wearing a white shirt and a nice subtle patterned tie. Lower key conferences I usually mix and mash between sport coats, chinos, button down collar, no tie. It just depends on the conference. If I feel it will be a largely casual affair, I will dress in accordance to the occasion.

Many of these academic conferences are lower key. I have seen presentations from fellow academics where the guy was wearing jeans and a leather jacket, complete with flaming eagles etc on the back.
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post #4 of 45
1/16/12 at 5:39pm
^This. You can also go biz casual with blue blazer, gray slacks etc.
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post #5 of 45
1/16/12 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klobber View Post

On days you are in audience: Wear what you like. A smart casual look is a safe bet particularly if you are there to also meet people.

If you are presenting: What you suggested is fine. I usually present in a dark colored suit like gray or navy wearing a white shirt and a nice subtle patterned tie. Lower key conferences I usually mix and mash between sport coats, chinos, button down collar, no tie. It just depends on the conference. If I feel it will be a largely casual affair, I will dress in accordance to the occasion.

Many of these academic conferences are lower key. I have seen presentations from fellow academics where the guy was wearing jeans and a leather jacket, complete with flaming eagles etc on the back.

+1
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post #6 of 45
1/16/12 at 5:59pm
Just to add to my previous comment and Fuuma's comment:

When you travel, take a suit, pack a biz/smart casual outfit, and a casual outfit (raw denim, button down collars etc). You will likely be at the conference for at least a couple of days so you will need to cater for at least 2/3 outfits. Unless you present the first day you arrive, you can attend some of the early sessions and feel the place out.
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post #7 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:07pm

these are typically low key, particularly in the more vacation type locals.  business casual all the way.  

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post #8 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:15pm
If hot locale, Blazer then, chinos or jeans except when presenting, than gray gabardine or cool wool. Tie when presenting, then lose it. OCBD. Shell goes with all 3 types of slacks. Argyles or stripes for socks. Forget the suit. You will be the only one wearing it unless there are salesmen.
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post #9 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:22pm
What type of academic conference? I've presented at multiple medical conferences and I tend to always wear the typical interview garb: navy or charcoal suit, dark brown shoes, white shirt, with a semi-conservative tie. The way I see it, a large part of presenting at conferences is to network and meet potential employers.
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post #10 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:24pm
Thread Starter 
history conference. it's only 2 days. im going to bring a navy suit and some chinos, and use the jacket as a blazer for the day i'm not presenting. i'll wear some shell captoes with the suit, and some brown chukkas with the chinos.
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post #11 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:28pm
Ah, history should call for a tweed or corduroy with leather patch elbows smile.gif
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post #12 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:31pm
I always go in guns blazing but then there's nothing at stake for me except vanity.
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post #13 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:38pm
. . . (zero)
Edited by Plestor - 1/18/12 at 3:39am
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post #14 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:52pm
Nobody will hold it against you if you dress CBD for your presentation. I think people subliminally realize that it does filter out extraneous details and lets them concentrate on your message.

So no, a navy suit and tie are not too much. If you have several presentations coming up, it might also be worth rotating with a charcoal suit to vary things.
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post #15 of 45
1/16/12 at 6:54pm
Sport coat,grey trousers,button down shirt and a pair of oxfords,bluchers or loafers,preferrably suede.
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