Putting Together the Perfect Conference Outfit

Happy Tuesday, friends!

I recently attended my first blogging conference Create + Cultivate in Dallas, TX (recap coming soon). Being relatively new to the blogging scene, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I did know that I would have the chance to meet and interact with some pretty incredible people while there. So while it may seem to you that picking something out to wear for the conference would be a breeze for me (as a fashion blogger)…it was actually one of the hardest things ever!

For the conference, I wanted to wear something that skirted the line between dressy and casual–something us Maggies refer to as “college cute”. But above all else, I wanted to make sure that I felt comfortable in whatever I decided to wear. That’s not to say I was going to show up in sweats and a tshirt, but rather that I wanted to wear something that I felt like myself in…like Kristin. Because goodness knows I’d be nervous enough meeting so many new people. I’m a bit of an introvert and didn’t need the added pressure of feeling like I wasn’t in my own skin.

So I set out to find the perfect outfit that would meet all these needs for the conference.

After deciding on how I wanted to feel in my conference attire, I just needed to find and put together the perfect pieces, hanging somewhere in my closet.

My style is usually very bright and colorful, so I knew I wanted to make a statement of some sort. However, for the conference I wanted this statement to be made in a more subtle kind of way. I wanted to wear something that caught people’s attention but didn’t distract from what we were there to do, learn and share with others. For lack of a better way of putting this, I wanted to wear something that wasn’t too flashy so that I had the option of being a listener. For me, I learn more from listening to others than from speaking myself, and I wanted to make sure I had this opportunity at the conference. Do you know what I mean?

Additionally, I wanted something that would compliment my personality in such a way that people could see a picture of me and remember the conversation we had. There were nearly 400 other women there, so I wanted to make it a little easier on people to recall who I was. I know, I know. Sounds like I put a lot of thought into this, right? And I did! I set out to make the most of my first impressions with people and the most of this conference opportunity overall.

So what did I choose? I decided to wear this silky floral top in the most gorgeous pastel color palette. I loved how the muted colors toned down the louder floral aspects perfectly. And the pops of coral red gave me just the right amount of color that I felt comfortable in.

I decided to pair the floral top with this classic olive green skirt that falls at the perfect length.

When it comes to skirts, I really love the pencil skirt (here, here, here, and many more). They add the perfect amount of curve to my shape while simultaneously slimming my waist, and I feel surprisingly sexy and put together in them. But at the conference, I didn’t want to come across too business-formal and up-tight, so I opted for a more flirty silhouette that was still slimming around the waist but with more twirl-finity (if you know what I mean).

For the conference, I brought a large cognac leather tote to keep all my notes and goodies in. And for afterwards, I brought along a pale pink clutch for dinner and drinks with girlfriends. It made for the perfect little pouch to keep my pens, lipstick, and business cards from getting lost in the enormity of my tote during the day too! I kept my jewelry simple, pairing my go-to crystal bracelets with my favorite gold watch.

As for shoes, I wanted to pick something I would feel sexy and confident in while also remaining comfortable in (the conference was a full day’s worth). Flats were my obvious first choice, since those are what I wear to work everyday. However, I don’t feel particularly adventurous and ‘go-getter’ in flats most of the time. I generally choose them as a dressier option to tennis shoes, or a more comfortable options to heels.

So heels were my next option. I know that when wearing heels (for presentations) I not only hold myself higher physically, but I also feel more confident and ready to answer any questions thrown my way. But I also know that heels are one of the most uncomfortable shoes on the planet. #truth.

So as a compromise among all the competing factors, I decided to wear my favorite pair of pumps that has a chunkier heel for comfort. And what do you know? I was so happy for my choice. I not only felt confident and sexy, I was also able to walk around the whole day without resorting to hobbling. And luckily for me, the coral color of my pumps matched the coral color of the floral pattern in my top as well. Two birds, my friends!

I finished off the outfit with a vintage-inspired layered necklace and the sweetest pink shade of lipstick.

Overall, I felt incredibly confident in my ensemble and had an amazing time networking and learning from experienced and novice women entrepreneurs alike. And while it may seem excessive the amount of time I spent on picking out my outfit, I was so happy that I put the time towards it. It was one less thing I had to worry about during the conference activities so that I could focus on just being myself, sharing my thoughts and listening to what others had to share as well.

And I wanted to share my thought process with you here in the hopes that it could help someone else in a similar situation. Whether you are a fashion blogger or not, picking out the perfect outfit for your next event can be a challenge. And I think all too often, (myself included) we assume that the perfectly curated outfits we see in blog posts are thrown together flawlessly as a passing thought. On the contrary, as a fashion blogger myself I usually spend quite some time putting together outfits each day and especially for the ones that appear here on Cupcakes and the Cosmos. It’s something I have to work hard at and something that is constantly evolving. So I hope that this post not only disproves that all bloggers put outfits together effortlessly, but also that it may help you when putting together your next perfect outfit. My number one advice: Above all else, make sure it’s you! and that you feel confident in your own skin when you wear it. You are…after all…who people want to get to know! And fashion is but a means to show the unique and one-of-a-kind personality you own with the world. So flaunt it!

What about you? What are your thoughts on putting together the perfect conference outfit?

Photos by Outside Ourselves

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Get the Look…

Top: Anthropologie (similar here, here, here, here, here, here) | Skirt: Banana Republic | Heels: J. Crew Factory (similar) | Purse: Francesca’s | Necklace: Francesca’s | Watch: Fossil | Bracelets: J. Crew Factory, Francesca’s | Rings: Aggie Ring, Francesca’s | Lips: Burt’s Bees (Sedona Sands)