What does one wear to a writers' conference?

A snorkel and a balaclava.

I only came in here to see what sparklepeaches said, sorry.

Nothing. They will never forget you!
But seriously, wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident.

But what if what makes her feel comfy and confident is a Grateful Dead t-shirt, never washed because it was touched by Jerry Garcia himself, a pair of acid washed jeans that were the best bargain EVAH, her pink scrunchie from 1987 that she thinks is lucky, and a pair of white lace ankle booties that she's confident she can bring back into style?

What then?

A tweed jacket with patches on the elbows.

I vote business casual--although the balaclava might be memorable.

Lucite heels, sheer blouse, leather pants and duster, topped off with a fedora, natch. Ya gotta stand out!



Seriously, business casual seems to be a safe choice. Nice jeans, a blouse, flats, that sort of thing.

No on but Soccer Mom is even trying to help this woman.

We ought to be ashamed of ourselves.

Ok, and Cranky.

Shadow_Ferret said:

A tweed jacket with patches on the elbows.

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Don't forget the "John Lennon"/"granny" wire-rim glasses, a flask of cheap whiskey, and a pipe. Super bonus points if you're a woman.

Knock 'em dead!

People wear all sorts of things to SCBWI events. I went to an Editor's Day recently and there were lots of people in jeans. However, the editors and agents always seem to be dressed in business casual clothes, so I'd say that's your best bet. FWIW, I wore a casual skirt, top, and flats.

Smish

clothes

Business casual, usually. But be comfortable. Jeans are fine, but no T-shirts and shorts.

All writers must wear a Marvelous Hat.

Kitty Pryde said:

All writers must wear a Marvelous Hat.

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Yes. Like the kind they wear to the races in England.

Whatever the equivalent of "business casual" is that still makes you feel like yourself. That is, if you're not an "office-y" person (I'm not), you shouldn't feel like you need to look overly conservative.

I wear clean and pressed comfortable clothes. Business casual to a man means sportcoat and tie in many circles, and that is probably overkill, unless those are one's comfort clothes. Business casual is a little easier for women because it can inlcude a great variety of outfits. If one is meeting with editors and agents, they are going to have glazed-over eyes from being in the pitchpit, so the only thing that will elevate you from drone status is what you say in your pitch. These people are going to be interested in your brain, not your body (regardless of what you hang on it).

For me, I'd wear polo shirts and khakis or maybe dress pants for the day. Or button-down shirt with a sport coat and jeans.

For nighttime stuff (special speaker dinners, etc.) probably a bit more dressy, but not too much.

If meeting editors or agents, probably more on the business than the casual side.

Still, try to be yourself and have your own "unique" style if you must. We're artists, after all.

bettielee said:

No on but Soccer Mom is even trying to help this woman.

We ought to be ashamed of ourselves.

Ok, and Cranky.

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I've never been to a writer's conference. Tweed isn't the answer?

attire should be garden chic.

I am the geeky marketing person so I say what image are you trying to portray? Techincally this is part of your personal author brand.

For example - meg cabot writes chick it for tween/tweens - she is usually dressed in dresses, skirts, hip clothes.


Whatever you feel comfortable in but I definately would be sure it is polished. You never know who you will meet

sometimes conferences are a bit chilly - so take a sweater

I always agonise over this, too - because you do never know who you will meet, and you want to make a good impression!

Business casual sounds like a sensible suggestion to me. Comfort is also important, though. You often spend a lot of time sitting around listening to people talk, and you don't want to be fidgeting because your waistband's digging in, or whatever.

I usually also take a nice dress to wear to dinner in the evening, where things are often slightly more formal.

Shara

All I know is that the first time I went to WorldCon, I loaded up on business casual. This was fun because everyone assumed I was an editor or agent and kept following me around with MSS and wistful eyes. All the writers and fans were in shorts and T-shirts. Okay, so Neil Gaiman dressed up a little to MC the Hugo Awards, but other than that...

I imagine the SF/F community is one of the least dressy. For the SCBWI crowd, I'd go more with dressy casual than business casual, unless you're having an appointment with an agent or editor, in which case you might bump it up a notch. If they give a dance or formal dinner at night, then pack along a nice dress or suit. Of course if they have a cosplaying event, go nuts.

I really like strech twill and other strech cotton materials. I would also bring a light sweater or jacket in case the air conditioning is turned up high. I hate being cold.

Use Her Name said:

I would also bring a light sweater or jacket in case the air conditioning is turned up high. I hate being cold.

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YES! Sometimes those conferences centers are icy.

And yeah, I vote for nice jeans or khakis, and a nice blouse or polo shirt. Comfortable shoes that fit the outfit.