MeaganWhat to wear to a tech conference?
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Choosing what to wear to a Tech Conference can be a bit tricky, since most tech conferences are very lax. But the thing is, if you’re looking to network/meet with professionals, its best to wear an outfit that would leave a good impression, right?
However, the great thing about tech conferences is that a majority of them do not have a dress code – aka you can wear whatever you want.
I’ve been to both big and small tech conferences, and I would see people wear anything from a pantsuit to a hoodie with sneakers. To give you an idea, check out the outfits I wore to the Facebook F8 conference in 2018 (which did not have a dress code, by the way) – the first picture shows the outfit I wore on Day 1. And the second picture shows what I wore (minus the slippers!) on Day 2.
Completely different styles, right? And I felt like I fit right in on both days. Matter of fact, I only decided to go with a casual fit the second day because a lot of people were dressed casually the first day.
So before I give you a few suggestions on what to wear, first things first check what the dress code is for the conference. Some conferences require you to dress smart casual (aka in between business-casual and casual). Others (I would say a majority) suggest to be completely casual (such as the Facebook, Microsoft, and Google conferences I have attended).
However, if you still need some ideas, I hope the following guide helps you out!
Outfit #1
Top: Long Sleeve Chiffon Green Blouse
Bottom: Black Straight Leg Work Pants
Outfit #2
Top: Black High Neck Top
Bottom: Straight Leg Tie Pants in Camel
Outfit #3
Blazer: Tan Office Blazer
Tank: Plain White Tank
Bottom: Black Straight Leg Pants
Outfit #4
Top: Burgundy Lily Blouse
Bottom: Medium Wash Jeans
Outfit #5
Top: White Contrast Top
Bottom: Black Straight Leg Pants
Here are a few more tips to help you out some more:
- Try checking out YouTube videos or Instagram pictures of the conference from a previous year to get an idea of what people wore then.
- If you get cold easily, bring a cardigan (!!!) – the venue might be cold. Especially during the summer time, when buildings tend to put the AC on blast.
- COMFORT is key! Make sure you wear a pair of comfortable shoes (such as sneakers or a good pair of ballet flats) since you may be walking/standing all day long.
And last but not least, here are a few of my go-to sites for business-casual conference outfits:
- Showpo Workwear
- Naked Zebra Office Wear
- H&M Workwear
- Boohoo Workwear
- Shein Workwear
- Lulus Office Fashion
