PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Finance and Business
Business
Business Skills
Meetings
How to Dress for a Conference Download Article Co-authored by Elle Monus
Last Updated: July 6, 2025 Approved
Download Article
Professional Business Conferences
|
Casual Conferences
|
Presentation Attire
|
What Are Some Staple Wardrobe Items for a Business Professional?
|
Q&A
|
Tips
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Elle Monus. Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 85% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 335,276 times.
When you attend a conference, you often do so with the intention of establishing connections and creating impressions with other professionals in your field. As a result, you should put your best foot forward in the fashion department. Before you decide what to wear, verify whether or not the conference you attend has any guidelines for dress. Otherwise, use your best judgment to determine what level of dress your conference requires. Also remember that presentation and reception attire will likely vary from attendance attire.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Professional Business Conferences
Download Article
1 Bring a blazer or sports jacket.[1]X Expert Source Elle MonusImage ConsultantExpert Interview This is especially important for men. You do not necessarily need a wool suit jacket, but some form of structured jacket, in a traditional color like black or brown, is a good idea, even if you only end up carrying it.
2 Wear dress pants if you want to leave a lasting impression. Black, gray, navy blue, and brown pants are the standard colors of choice. Advertisement
3 Consider khakis. Khaki pants are common for men's business casual, but women can also pull them off for business casual, as well. Keep your khakis pressed and wrinkle-free.
4 Women may choose to wear slacks, khakis, or to try out a knee-length pencil skirt. Dark colors, like black or dark brown, are the most traditional and best received.
5 Wear a button-down collared shirt or polo shirt.[2]X Expert Source Elle MonusImage ConsultantExpert Interview Light and dark colors are both acceptable, but avoid anything bold or flashy.
6 Women may consider a knit blouse, silk blouse, or close-weave sweater. Choose a top that flatters your figure without being skin tight or low enough in the front to be revealing. A solid color works best for casual fabrics, but a print in a rich hue can look appropriate on nicer fabrics like silk.
7 Men - decide whether or not you want to wear a tie. Ties make you look more professional, and you may want to wear one if you intend to mingle and establish contacts for the future.[3]X Expert Source Elle MonusImage ConsultantExpert Interview If leaning toward a business casual style, however, ties are not necessary.
8 Wear black or brown leather shoes. Men can opt for a lace-up style or a more casual loafer, but either way, your shoes must be polished and in good condition.
9 Women - wear flats or a low heel (no high heels). Closed-toe pumps or flats, are preferable. Black and brown leather are ideal.
You can choose a colored heel to level-up your attire with a little bit of interest while remaining business professional.[4]X Expert Source Elle MonusImage ConsultantExpert Interview
10 Match your socks to your trousers. This applies to both men and women. Black socks are the most common and most versatile color, but you should try to match the color of your socks to the color of your shoes or trousers in order to blend the two together. Avoid white or colored socks that might stand out.
11 Women, if you choose to wear a skirt or dress, check the fabric to see if it is clinging to you. If so, wear a slip underneath.
12 Minimize your accessories. Avoid non-traditional jewelry, like lip piercings, and only wear subtle pieces that do not look flashy.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Casual Conferences
Download Article
1 Break out the khakis.[5]X Expert Source Elle MonusImage ConsultantExpert Interview Khaki pants are just about as dressy as you need to be for a casual conference. Look for trouser-style pants with wide legs, and keep the material pressed and free of wrinkles.
2 Consider a dark wash denim. Light and medium washes may look too casual, so the darker the wash, the better. Stick with a trouser-style leg and avoid styles that sag at the waist or taper past the knee.
3 Also consider a knee-length skirt, if you are a woman. Pencil and A-line skirts work best, but you can play with the color and pattern more than you could at a professional conference. Avoid extravagant embellishments and stick for conservative "Sunday best" skirts.
4 Go with a polo shirt, especially if you are a man. Stick with solid colors and avoid crazy patterns. Traditional button-down shirts also work well.
5 Wear a nice blouse or sweater, if you are a woman. Cotton, knit, and silk blouses look especially nice. You can opt for a button-down blouse or choose one that slips on over your head.
6 Go for a dress. Instead of a separate top and bottom, women can also consider a solid dress. Choose one in a work-appropriate style. Generally, this means that the dress has a solid print, conservative neckline, and knee-length hem.
7 Stick with leather shoes. Black and brown loafers work well for guys. Sneakers are too casual and must be avoided.
8 Keep your heel low. Women have a little more room to play around with their shoe for a casual conference, but you should still opt for a closed-toe style with a relatively low heel. Feel free to play with color and texture, however.
9 Match your socks to your shoes. Black, brown, gray, and tan socks work best. Avoid white socks or socks with patterns.
10 Wear hosiery with skirts and dresses. For extremely casual settings, pantyhose many not be necessary at all. It still would not be a bad idea to carry them, however. If you realize later that they are not necessary, you can slip them off.
11 Keep your accessories to a minimum. Even at a casual conference, accessories should still be unobtrusive and simple.
12 Dress up for dinner. The required dress code for meal functions can vary. Luncheons may only require business casual dress, but most evening receptions require you to dress up. Women should opt for conservative cocktail dresses and men should go with a suit and tie.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Presentation Attire
Download Article
1 Wear a collared, button-down shirt. Basic colors like white or light pastels work best, but bright colors and patterns should be avoided.
2 Throw on a wool suit jacket. Choose a single-breasted style in a dark color like black, navy, gray, or brown. The jacket should be tailor-fit for both men and women.
3 Match your trousers to your jacket. Garments that come as part of a two-piece suit are best, but if you buy your slacks separately, you should match the color to the color of your jacket.
4 Consider a knee-length skirt, if you are a woman. Both trousers and skirts are appropriate business attire for women. Select a pencil skirt that matches the color your suit jacket, preferably black, navy, gray, or brown.
5 Wear polished leather shoes. Men should consider formal lace-up styles, like Oxfords, in black or dark brown.
6 Wear closed-toe leather flats or pumps. Women can wear low heels, but avoid high heels or strappy styles that look more sexy than professional. Black and dark brown shoes are the most appropriate and least distracting.
7 Stick with socks that coordinate with the color of you suit. This applies mostly to men. Black socks are the most common since they create a smooth transition between dark slacks and dark shoes.
8 Slip on nylon pantyhose, if you are a woman. Hosiery is necessary for skirts and recommended for trousers, as well.
9 Choose a conservative tie, if you are a man. Select a tie made of high-quality fabric, like silk, and a subdued color or pattern. Avoid bold patterns and character prints.
10 Match your belt to you suit and shoes. The color of your belt should fit in with the color scheme the rest of your outfit follows.
11 Keep your accessories to a minimum. This applies to both men and women. Watches and other jewelry should be low-key. Avoid any non-traditional jewelry, like eyebrow piercings or nose piercings.
Advertisement
What Are Some Staple Wardrobe Items for a Business Professional?
Watch
Community Q&A
Search Add New Question
Question Why should accessories be minimal? Community Answer Keeping accessories to a minimum helps to give you a more professional and sophisticated look. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 15
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
If the conference you're attending is for white-collar "business professionals" or an academic conference, you should adhere to a stricter style of business dress. Business casual is often appropriate for passive observers, but you may want to lean more toward traditional business attire if you're there to impress anyone. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you are attending a conference with other co-workers, then by default, you should dress according to your office's dress code. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Keep the climate in mind. A winter conference will require heavier clothing than a summer conference, even if it is indoors. Likewise, a conference in Florida will require lighter clothes than one held in Alaska. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Things You’ll Need
Dress trousers
Khaki pants
Dark-wash denim jeans
Skirt
Dress
Button-down shirt
Blouse
Sweater
Polo shirt
Blazer, sports jacket, or suit jacket
Belt
Leather shoes
Socks
Pantyhose
Necktie
Simple accessories
You Might Also Like
How toDress for WorkHow toDress for a SpeechHow Do You Dress in Business Casual Attire?How to Dress Professionally for WorkWhat to Wear to a Job Interview (For Men)How toDress Like a LawyerHow toDress for an Interview (Women)How toDress (for Businesswomen)How toDress Like a CEO (Men)How toDress when You're a TeacherHow toDress Smart Casual (Females)How toDress for a Banking JobHow toDress For Church ServicesHow toDress Semi‐Formal As a Guy Advertisement
Co-authored by: Elle Monus Image Consultant This article was co-authored by Elle Monus. Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked. This article has been viewed 335,276 times. 7 votes - 85% Co-authors: 17Updated: July 6, 2025 Views: 335,276 Categories: MeetingsArticle SummaryX
If you want to look your best for a conference, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, so bringing a blazer is never a bad idea. Pair your blazer with either dress trousers or a knee-length skirt in the same color. Under your blazer, wear either a button-down collared shirt or a formal blouse. A knee-length professional dress is also an option, but if you’re wearing a skirt or a dress, make sure to wear pantyhose underneath. Your shoes should be black or brown leather loafers, flats, or heels. For some tips on accessorizing with ties, belts, and jewelry, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
In other languages Spanish Italian Russian French Indonesian
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 335,276 times.
Reader Success Stories
Donnett Hutson
Aug 24, 2016
"The length of the skirt or dress and the type of heel or shoe was helpful. It was so interesting to know that you should not wear high heel shoes to a conference and that slack pants are suitable."..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Elle Monus Image Consultant Co-authors: 17Updated: July 6, 2025 Views: 335,27685% of readers found this article helpful. 7 votes - 85% Click a star to add your vote
Donnett Hutson
Aug 24, 2016
"The length of the skirt or dress and the type of heel or shoe was helpful. It was so interesting to know that you should not wear high heel shoes to a conference and that slack pants are suitable."..." more
Anonymous
Dec 30, 2017
"It's important to wear a suit and tie to a conference because it's looks more formal."
Venkatesh G.
May 6, 2019
"It is very useful for people attending a conference for the first time."
Christine Gilsenan
Jun 17, 2018
"How to do smart casual with mix and match." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
Quizzes & Games
What Should I Wear Today QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Wear Tomorrow Styling QuizTake QuizWhat's My Clothing Style Quiz (For Men)Take QuizWhat Is My Style QuizTake QuizWhat Are The Best Compression Socks For Me QuizTake QuizWhat's My Guy Type Based on Their Outfits QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How toDress for WorkHow toDress for a SpeechHow Do You Dress in Business Casual Attire?How to Dress Professionally for Work
Trending Articles
Am I Good at Flirting QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Many Secret Admirers Do I Have QuizRank My Attractiveness Quiz5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your ShapeWhat Would My Nickname Be Quiz
Watch Articles
How toImpress a Girl on a First DateWhat Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?How toWear a HoodieHow toChiffonadeHow toMake a Fabric RoseHow toConfront a Bully
Trending Articles
What Is My Intelligence Type Quiz210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-BlowingHow toTell That Your Crush Likes You BackDepression Test for TeensSCP Fight Simulator: Who Will Win?Am I Autistic Quiz
Quizzes & Games
Fashion Stylist QuizTake QuizEngagement Ring QuizTake QuizJock Nerd Prep Goth QuizTake QuizStyle Finder QuizTake QuizWhat Color Season Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Colors Should I Wear? Get a Professional Color Season Analysis HereTake Quiz
Categories
Finance and Business
Business
Business Skills
Meetings
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Home
About wikiHow
Experts
Jobs
Contact Us
Site Map
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info
Contribute
Follow Us
×
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve
Download Article Co-authored by Elle Monus 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Elle Monus Image Consultant This article was co-authored by Elle Monus. Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked. This article has been viewed 335,276 times. 7 votes - 85% Co-authors: 17 Updated: July 6, 2025 Views: 335,276 Categories: Meetings Article SummaryX
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
852 
1 Bring a blazer or sports jacket.[1] This is especially important for men. You do not necessarily need a wool suit jacket, but some form of structured jacket, in a traditional color like black or brown, is a good idea, even if you only end up carrying it. 
2 Wear dress pants if you want to leave a lasting impression. Black, gray, navy blue, and brown pants are the standard colors of choice. Advertisement 
3 Consider khakis. Khaki pants are common for men's business casual, but women can also pull them off for business casual, as well. Keep your khakis pressed and wrinkle-free. 
4 Women may choose to wear slacks, khakis, or to try out a knee-length pencil skirt. Dark colors, like black or dark brown, are the most traditional and best received. 
5 Wear a button-down collared shirt or polo shirt.[2] Light and dark colors are both acceptable, but avoid anything bold or flashy. 
6 Women may consider a knit blouse, silk blouse, or close-weave sweater. Choose a top that flatters your figure without being skin tight or low enough in the front to be revealing. A solid color works best for casual fabrics, but a print in a rich hue can look appropriate on nicer fabrics like silk. 
7 Men - decide whether or not you want to wear a tie. Ties make you look more professional, and you may want to wear one if you intend to mingle and establish contacts for the future.[3] If leaning toward a business casual style, however, ties are not necessary. 
8 Wear black or brown leather shoes. Men can opt for a lace-up style or a more casual loafer, but either way, your shoes must be polished and in good condition. 
9 Women - wear flats or a low heel (no high heels). Closed-toe pumps or flats, are preferable. Black and brown leather are ideal. 
10 Match your socks to your trousers. This applies to both men and women. Black socks are the most common and most versatile color, but you should try to match the color of your socks to the color of your shoes or trousers in order to blend the two together. Avoid white or colored socks that might stand out. 
11 Women, if you choose to wear a skirt or dress, check the fabric to see if it is clinging to you. If so, wear a slip underneath. 
12 Minimize your accessories. Avoid non-traditional jewelry, like lip piercings, and only wear subtle pieces that do not look flashy. Advertisement 
1 Break out the khakis.[5] Khaki pants are just about as dressy as you need to be for a casual conference. Look for trouser-style pants with wide legs, and keep the material pressed and free of wrinkles. 
2 Consider a dark wash denim. Light and medium washes may look too casual, so the darker the wash, the better. Stick with a trouser-style leg and avoid styles that sag at the waist or taper past the knee. 
3 Also consider a knee-length skirt, if you are a woman. Pencil and A-line skirts work best, but you can play with the color and pattern more than you could at a professional conference. Avoid extravagant embellishments and stick for conservative "Sunday best" skirts. 
4 Go with a polo shirt, especially if you are a man. Stick with solid colors and avoid crazy patterns. Traditional button-down shirts also work well. 
5 Wear a nice blouse or sweater, if you are a woman. Cotton, knit, and silk blouses look especially nice. You can opt for a button-down blouse or choose one that slips on over your head. 
6 Go for a dress. Instead of a separate top and bottom, women can also consider a solid dress. Choose one in a work-appropriate style. Generally, this means that the dress has a solid print, conservative neckline, and knee-length hem. 
7 Stick with leather shoes. Black and brown loafers work well for guys. Sneakers are too casual and must be avoided. 
8 Keep your heel low. Women have a little more room to play around with their shoe for a casual conference, but you should still opt for a closed-toe style with a relatively low heel. Feel free to play with color and texture, however. 
9 Match your socks to your shoes. Black, brown, gray, and tan socks work best. Avoid white socks or socks with patterns. 
10 Wear hosiery with skirts and dresses. For extremely casual settings, pantyhose many not be necessary at all. It still would not be a bad idea to carry them, however. If you realize later that they are not necessary, you can slip them off. 
11 Keep your accessories to a minimum. Even at a casual conference, accessories should still be unobtrusive and simple. 
12 Dress up for dinner. The required dress code for meal functions can vary. Luncheons may only require business casual dress, but most evening receptions require you to dress up. Women should opt for conservative cocktail dresses and men should go with a suit and tie. Advertisement 
1 Wear a collared, button-down shirt. Basic colors like white or light pastels work best, but bright colors and patterns should be avoided. 
2 Throw on a wool suit jacket. Choose a single-breasted style in a dark color like black, navy, gray, or brown. The jacket should be tailor-fit for both men and women. 
3 Match your trousers to your jacket. Garments that come as part of a two-piece suit are best, but if you buy your slacks separately, you should match the color to the color of your jacket. 
4 Consider a knee-length skirt, if you are a woman. Both trousers and skirts are appropriate business attire for women. Select a pencil skirt that matches the color your suit jacket, preferably black, navy, gray, or brown. 
5 Wear polished leather shoes. Men should consider formal lace-up styles, like Oxfords, in black or dark brown. 
6 Wear closed-toe leather flats or pumps. Women can wear low heels, but avoid high heels or strappy styles that look more sexy than professional. Black and dark brown shoes are the most appropriate and least distracting. 
7 Stick with socks that coordinate with the color of you suit. This applies mostly to men. Black socks are the most common since they create a smooth transition between dark slacks and dark shoes. 
8 Slip on nylon pantyhose, if you are a woman. Hosiery is necessary for skirts and recommended for trousers, as well. 
9 Choose a conservative tie, if you are a man. Select a tie made of high-quality fabric, like silk, and a subdued color or pattern. Avoid bold patterns and character prints. 
10 Match your belt to you suit and shoes. The color of your belt should fit in with the color scheme the rest of your outfit follows. 
11 Keep your accessories to a minimum. This applies to both men and women. Watches and other jewelry should be low-key. Avoid any non-traditional jewelry, like eyebrow piercings or nose piercings. Advertisement 
Community Answer Keeping accessories to a minimum helps to give you a more professional and sophisticated look. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 15 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.