what to wear to a scientific convention

[andrew96]

I'm going to a biological convention and I don't know what to wear. I'm not a speaker, but I think it would be a fairly formal event, with several famous lecturers and a banquet. I figure a understated conservative, job interview type attire. I was thinking about wearing a solid charcoal Canali 2 piece suit, black Oxfords, blue Oxford Cloth shirt and Onyx cufflinks. What do you think?

 

[comrade]

How about a Lab Coat?

 

[sellahi22]

I wouldn't wear a blue oxford shirt to a formal banquet. Why not white?

 

[james_timothy]

That sounds overdressed to me. I'd stick with a sports coat.

To set my scale: when I need to play scientist, I have to dress down- jeans is the standard among working scientists in my field, other than at reviews and for reviews it is mostly not suits.

 

[Klobber]

Nice slacks, nice casual leather shoes, nice shirt tucked in, and a sport coat. You will be adequately dressed.

I have presented at numerous scientific conferences, as well as being just an attendee. The dress sense is extremely variable, some wear high dollar high roller suits and shoes (minority), most wear some semblance of a suit / sport coat with a buttondown shirt often without a tie, and some wear jeans and tucked in shirt (minority). I dress like a high roller at these events, but am always overdressed compared to most.

Keep things to a simplistic smart casual style, and you will look better than most. Get a hair cut, wear some nice smellies, and shave / trim / style your beard as well. Bob as they will be your uncle in this scenario.

What you are suggesting, Canali suit, blue shirt etc would be fine. I would swap blue shirt for a white or white pattern shirt, but thats just me.

BTW - I usually take two suits to these events. One for daytime use, one for formal nightime use. If I am presenting, I usually wear a dark grey or navy suit. If I am attendee, I go with a casual look (chinos, loafers, button down collar, no tie, and sport coat). For formal night, I take a black suit. Yes it does mean a little more packing, but it is worth it. Dont forget the super casual stuff, you wont be tied up at conference all day and might like to enjoy the city / area you are travelling to.

 

[billsayers]

The scientists I have been around seem to think dressing up means tucking their polo shirt into their wrinkled Dockers.

 

[cmacey]

Originally Posted by comrade

How about a Lab Coat?

I was going to quip, pocket protector...I work with a bunch of engineers....

 

[tesuquegolfer]

Originally Posted by billsayers

The scientists I have been around seem to think dressing up means tucking their polo shirt into their wrinkled Dockers.

Polo shirts and Dockers, WOW, classy crowd of scientist you work with. I work at a place that is said to have more PhDs per capita than any place in the world and I can attest to the fact that they use function over form as their dress code mantra. Sorry for the generalization to any of you savvy dressing SF Scientist out there. Some of these guys look as though they cut their own hair. It has always been a big joke around here as to the way the scientist dress.

 

[Gradstudent78]

Originally Posted by Klobber

Nice slacks, nice casual leather shoes, nice shirt tucked in, and a sport coat. You will be adequately dressed.

This.

I wouldn't wear a suit unless your presenting and even then a lot of people wont be wearing suits.

 

[JChance]

Originally Posted by Gradstudent78

This.

I wouldn't wear a suit unless your presenting and even then a lot of people wont be wearing suits.

Agree

 

[HORNS]

Is this an international or American convention? I think you definitely have more leeway for dressing nicer if it's the former, but you'll be way over-dressed if it's the latter.

 

[Dave-itt]

I have to agree with Klobber. My background is Arts/Literature, but the dress code seems to be the same. I would suggest that you wear a nice sportcoat/blazer with neat dark jeans (or cords, chinos etc) and an open (tieless) shirt, perhaps an oxford in a solid collar. In this context, brown shoes, loafers or ankle boots are appropriate. If you need to smart it up, I'd recommend a clean white pocket square and/ or tie. If it's cold, a tweed blazer, if it's warm a lightweight wool, linen or cotton.

As for the banquet, I do not imagine that everyone will be wearing a suit. If the banquet is that formal, dress code should be issued. Usually people wear their day clothes to the evening dinners, though I prefer to freshen up and wear something a bit smarter.

So, for example, if I was to pack (light) for a 3 day conference tomorrow, I would bring:

My favourite dark blue 501s for day wear
Lightweight wool navy blazer
White, lilac and pale blue shirts
black knit tie (for evening/dinner)
smart, highly polished dark brown leather shoes or ankle boots
mid-grey wool suit trousers (for evening, or when presenting)
White handkerchief/pocket square.

 

[PTWilliams]

There are good replies here. A suit is not out of place if presenting an abstract or poster. These meetings tend to be in overheated convention buildings and you do a lot of sitting around, so try to be as comfortable as you can be while still looking good. Pack something casual as well, many of these conventions are in cities where crime is a problem and if you want to get out and see the town, you don't want to look like a conventioneer (although I must admit, I've never heard of someone having trouble). If it is a medical convestion, start asking about the hospitality suites-drug companies used to have buffets and entertainment. Enjoy.

 

[james_timothy]

Aren't scientists great? So unconcerned with clothes, they have developed a highly particular dress code.

 

[JKMWCL]

I would have to say that the one thing you definitely won't need......is a condom.