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[fashionista]

I'm hoping my colleagues on the other side of the Atlantic can help out here. I'm presenting at a large humanities conference in the UK in early September and want to make sure I make a good impression. What do academics usually wear to conferences there? Can I wear a summer suit, or will it be too late in the year? What fashion advice would you give? If it helps, I am in my 30s and female.

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[euro]

Whatever. Are you speaking, chairing or commenting? Casual-smart is always good

[anon]

I have been to conferences in the UK and US and haven't really noticed women in their thirties (and I am one) dressing any differently at them.  I did once go from a hot Midwestern summer to a cool August in Cambridge, and found myself with all the wrong clothes, freezing day and night. So I would definitely advise being prepared with lots of layers in case of wild weather variations. And a raincoat. A nice summer suit would work well as long as you had a coat you could wear if it got chilly; if it was hot, you could take the suit jacket off. I think linen works really well if you are willing to put up with the crumple factor. I have a cotton seersucker (not blue and white striped though) suit that is really wrinkle resistant (got it at Ann Taylor) that I have been traveling with this summer and really love. The silk sweater over a tank/twinset, and nice pants or skirt with sandals look is also a good one for the second day of the conference or the day you are not presenting. Oh yes, don't forget your umbrella! I had to buy one. One thing I did that I have never regretted is bought a cheap UK hairdryer that I tote back and forth--hotels there are not as good as here about providing hairdryers, and of course sometimes you are stuck in a dorm at conferences. Have fun!

[soon-to-be expat]

Also, if you will be at Oxford or Cambridge, sensible shoes are a good idea, particularly if you have to struggle walking on cobbles.   Have fun!  England in September can have some brilliant weather.

[anon]

Black wool suit
2 hand washable silk blouses
camel trousers and either black or camel silk turtleneck (worn with suit jacket)
beige raincoat with removable liner
black Ecco walking shoes
second pair of black shoes (in case first gets wet in rain)
travel steamer (lightweight; keeps things perfectly ironed on second day of wearing)
folding umbrella
pearls

It all fits in a carry-on, everything matches everythings else, and the outfits are blandly acceptable everywhere on all occasions (interviews, presentations, social events).
Quality, of course, is important. It's better to have one *really good* suit than an infinite wardrobe of slightly mediocre clothing. In England, its worth seeing if any of the sales are still in effect -- Aquascutum, Jaeger, Austin Reed, Dax, Jerry Weber, etc. all make really good classic professional clothing -- and you get the VAT refunded at the airport.
If you're a younger academic, remember that a good suit may cost a great deal ($600-1000 on sale), but if it is in a classic style, you'll be able to wear the jacket for 10-20 years. More trendy clothing won't last.

[un-K]

People in the UK are the worst dressers in the entire world, without a doubt, so if you just wear anything reasonably stylish you will make a good impression.

Snicker.

[Expat in UK]

I wouldn't recommend buying clothes in the UK. They are horribly expensive and usually poorly made. With the UK/US exchange rate they are even more horribly expensive.

I also find carrying an umbrella quite awkward here in 'sunny' England. The streets are usually quite crowded making it difficult to walk without poking someone in the face with your 'brolly', or it's raining AND windy so that you struggle to keep the silly thing from turning inside out. A nice raincoat with a hood usually works best (IMHO).

The weather in September is usually quite lovely.

I hope you do have a wonderful time.

[anon]

Try Aquascutum or Dax or Pringle  (triple ply cashmere sweaters!) -- beautifully made. Clothing at the low end is horrid (where isn't that the case?) -- but for a really exquisitely tailored jacket, or the perfect trench coat, I think the best UK shops really are superb. And they have decent tailors as well, so that you can get those fine adjustments which make all the difference. Of course, if what you are looking for is something trendy, the French are better, or if you want explicit sexual allure, the Italians, but if you are looking for a certain type of timeless classic, the Brits really do an excellent job. In crass terms, if you compare a Dax to an Armani jacket, the quality is the same and the Dax a bit less expensive (especially on sale and with the VAT refund), less likely to go out of style, and will probably last a bit longer.

[fashionista]

Thanks, anon(s)! These are great tips and really helpful. I'll be presenting a paper on one day, and then just attending for the rest of the conference. I'm already planning a trip to Regent St for some shopping--I figure at least one or two really good pieces for the classroom and other conferences is a good investment.

[Expat in UK]

anon wrote:

> Try Aquascutum or Dax or Pringle  (triple ply cashmere
> sweaters!) -- beautifully made. Clothing at the low end is
> horrid (where isn't that the case?) -- but for a really
> exquisitely tailored jacket, or the perfect trench coat, I
> think the best UK shops really are superb. And they have decent
> tailors as well, so that you can get those fine adjustments
> which make all the difference.

Or... better... buy all one's clothes when one visits the States! I go back to the US at least 4 times a year on business. Prices are usually dollars for pounds... so it's a lot cheaper in the US. And I find US tailors perfectly fine for alterations.

I just got back from Milan and was horrified at the prices there. The same goods in the US are cheaper. Don't ask why... I don't know.

[working in the UK]

Expat in UK wrote:

> I just got back from Milan and was horrified at the prices
> there. The same goods in the US are cheaper. Don't ask why... I
> don't know.

Italy has become incredibly  expensive in the last five years, after they introduced the euro. Their government did a really crappy job of containing the natural inflation due to the change in currency (not surprising, considering how crappy the whole Berlusconi government is).

[to un-K]

un-K wrote:

> People in the UK are the worst dressers in the entire world,
> without a doubt, so if you just wear anything reasonably
> stylish you will make a good impression.
>
> Snicker.


I don't think I have ever seen 300+ pound people in shorts and skimpy tops in the UK......

Snicker back......

[observer]

I don't think I have ever seen 300+ pound people in shorts and skimpy tops in the UK......


Well, maybe in Blackpool! ;-)

[Expat]

I am an American citizen at a top UK institution.  I know it's hard to imagine, but sleek, super-professionalised looks just don't make all that much difference here.  In the UK, there is still room for academics who look like they spend more time with books than ppl.  At international conferences over here, you can easily distinguish the Americans by what they wear.  They seem to put a lot more effort into appearances than the homegrown attendees who just blend in.  So don't worry about how you look.  They really will be much more interested in what you have to say.

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