Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 2024 AfroTech Conference! Conferences can be a whirlwind of networking, learning, and inspiration. But let's be honest, they can also be a bit of a fashion challenge. How do you balance showing up authentically when you are at your most comfortable in sneakers & sweatpants and be viewed as a professional? I'm currently working on refining our mission so it's even more clear what we do and who we do it for but one thing that always remains, Hippie Adjacent makes joyful adornments to empower authenticity at the intersection of style & comfort. During my time at AfroTech, I hacked the code to conference attire and really lived into the Hippie Adjacent mission, so I thought I'd share three tips on how I did it to help you show up at your next conference as your most authentic self while balancing style and comfort.
Prioritize your comfort
The concept of professional attire is a completely made up construct, like most things in our world but that is a post for another day. The main thing is that you can't shine as your most full self if you are experiencing physical discomfort. You can achieve that comfort by choosing breathable fabrics, prioritizing comfortable footwear, and layering strategically.
- Choose Breathable Fabrics: Opt for natural fibers like cotton, linen, or bamboo that allow your skin to breathe, preventing discomfort and keeping you cool.
- Prioritize Comfortable Footwear: Choose shoes that you can do a LOT of walking and standing in. Consider sneakers, loafers, low-heeled boots, or even a dressy sandal depending on the type of conference and what is on your agenda that day.
- Layer Strategically: Layering allows you to adjust to changing temperatures and personal preferences. A lightweight cardigan, blazer, or jacket can be easily added or removed.
Take calculated risks
A suit is always going to win points for polish but there are a few ways to jazz it up and make it memorable. When building your outfits keep in mind versatility, color, and experimentation.
- Versatility is your friend: think about pieces that can be worn different ways through a few tweaks like cuffing the sleeves or an item that can be worn as a shirt jacket.
- Play with color: Back to my suit commentary. A suit will always be a win but a calculated risk might be wearing a suit in tomato red rather than black. Its memorable and fun but also still leans on the norms of professional dress.
- Experiment with different shapes, cuts, textures: One of my favorite social media trends of the past year has been fashion creators showing examples of why an outfit is interesting. The advice is that "if the outfit is not interesting through color, then it has to be interesting through shape. If not through shape, then it has to be by texture. If it’s not interesting by texture, then it has to be interesting by color.” This has been such good advice that I've kept in my back pocket when dressing. That might mean a dramatic sleeve over a t-shirt or satiny pant over traditional slacks.
Accessorize Mindfully
There is a difference between wearing and styling an outfit. Accessories go a long way toward putting the final touches on a look and a few well placed accessories can make or break the result. For this most recent conference I focused on earrings (of course), brooches, and bags.
- Cool Earrings: The overall silhouette of your outfit will probably make an impression on its own. As people get closer you want to keep it interesting with the details. Accessories that people notice as you make eye contact enhance the overall effect and a cool pair of earrings definitely helps. Hippie Adjacent has a great selection at your fingertips and each pair has a story of their inspiration and/or creation on the product page so they can also act as a conversation starter.
- Brooches & lapel pins: Some may call them an artifact of a bygone era but that is exactly why they are an opportunity for you to stand out. You can find really cool ones at thrift or vintage stores and I think they always add a layer of nuance to a look. You can opt for ones that are artsy or make a statement or both! If you look at your outfit and feel like its missing just a little something a brooch might be that something.
- Bags & belts: Form and function matters here. A stylish and functional bag is essential for carrying your belongings especially at a conference. Consider an oversized tote bag or a quality backpack that can be dressed up or down. Lean into cohesion with a belt that matches the color and metal tone in your other accessories. Brown leather, and gold accessories are an easy win of you have a warmer skin tone.
A few final thoughts- a great outfit only goes so far. As RuPaul Charles always says "we're all born naked and the rest is drag". Confidence is the real key. Own your look, be kind, and smile! Conferences present unique opportunities to make new connections, learn helpful information, and have a great time, so go out there and shine!
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