Style Dilemma: What to Wear to a Conference

Next week, I head out to staff a conference booth at a Big Industry Conference in San Diego. All of our Big Wigs are going, and all of our clients' Big Wigs are going. So we have a booth in the Big Exhibit Hall.

Guess who's the Booth Babe?

We all get to wear the ubiquitous corporate logo polo, which is fine, even expected. There is something to be said for corporate branding.We'll have navy blue ones, and a red one, I think. And while I haven't quite gotten to the concept of packing for the trip yet (I'm a night before - even morning-of - packer), I do know that I have a serious hole in my closet that I need to fill before I go.

Or the conference attendees will get a bit of a show.

You see, I'm bottom-less.

I literally don't have any pants that fit. Nor do I have any skirts - at least none that would pair professionally enough with a polo shirt (my new weekend favorite denim mini skirt that hits just below, well, you know, probably wouldn't be appropriate).

So off to the mall I go.

I've been plotting a shopping trip with another recently-reduced girlfriend; we're in search of jeans. We'll also now be in search of conference-appropriate bottoms. To expedite our trip and leave more time for our jeans shopping and, well, the cocktail and dinner portion of our day, I've done a little research. Yes, it's mildly predictable in its sources, but when you're honestly looking for servicable, professional, well-fitting pants or skirts that won't break the proverbial bank, there are a few dependable retailers to which we can turn.

Banana Republic Jackson fit linen-cotton button-tab trousers: The first thought is (regrettably? predictably? sadly?) khakis. That being said, a paler color, the pretty and flattering tab front, and elegant linen blend add a teensy bit of style.

Gap Perfect trouser linen pants: Again with the khaki-like shades (when you've got to pair both with navy and red, the neutral works) and linen elegance. Since I'm flying blind on fit and size at the moment, with this new #healthyme body and all, I'm going to have to try on a slew of choices, I'd expect.

Old Navy The Sweetheart Perfect Khakis: The classic. The original. Serviceable. That being said, if they fit well, they could really do the trick. For this conference.

The Limited Cassidy Linen Flare Pants: True, they're not in the neutral tan zone, but a girl's gotta push the envelope a little, doesn't she? It's possible this fit, with the slightly higher waist and flared leg, could work. Also, a heathered blue would work as a neutral.

I am a Booth Babe, and, in my book, I should use my relative assets to draw people to our booth. That means showing my gams (will also be carefully considering my heeled shoe options, to accentuate my sculpted calves, thankyouverymuch), which means: skirts.

Banana Republic Chino pencil skirt: It's a classic, but I've picked grey here, just for a little twist. A little one. Plus, grey is really, really pretty, and I'm envisioning kelly green bowed blouses and soft autmnal knits on top of this in just a few short months.

Banana Republic Dayna ponte knit mini skirt: I know, I know, it's a mini skirt. I also know that mini skirts may or may not be appropriate to professional activities. But the color is so pretty, the knit forgiving, and, if I try it on and the cut isn't too short, well, go gams go. Pairing it with a slightly lower heel (Lillybee Kates in blush, for example) and that navy polo would have a pretty retro vibe.

Banana Republic Heritage Military pencil skirt: I'm a sucker for anything military. I love the tailored detailing on this, and the tan is just a little softer and deeper than Regular Ol' Khaki. Beyond the conference, this staple has all sorts of styling and accessorizing possibilities.

Banana Republic Welt pocket pencil skirt: The seam. The welt pockets. The color. So it won't pair (in a mildly stuffy conference setting, at least) with a red polo. I think I can swing the navy polo. And it's so very, very pretty.

(Yes, I realize that all of my skirt choices are Banana. What of it?)

Banana Republic Slim ankle pant (already gone from the site, but another slim fit ankle pant here), Gap Perfect Khaki pants in lava orange, Gap Slim cropped refined pants in citron, T Tahari Roberta Pants, Lauren Ralph Lauren Nicklaus Cotton Twill Sailor Pants, Rachel Zoe Pants Hutton Flare, Sonia Rykiel Pants Color Block, The Limited Drew Sleek Ankle Pant in pink

So there isn't anything particularly crazy in here, but these choices are all unexpected enough in either color, cut, or detail to satisfy this I-Refuse-to-March-to-Anyone-Else's-Drum Girl. Whether cropped or ankle, on-trend orange, buttoned, or bright, each of these pants (and I must say, I'm really always drawn to skirts first) has a Leetle Something. Not all of them are affordable, but some of them certainly are, and they're interesting enough to add to my closet and I can happily get substantial wear out of them.

Admittedly, this post covers Bottoms. It's specifically for those of you (and me!) who have to wear some prescribed top to an Official Function. What to Wear to a Conference still has lots of answers. There are business casual conferences, business dress conferences, and even, well, there's Comic-Con. For some other tips on conference wear, head over to these friendly bloggers for their takes:

• Vyque of Fasshonaburu asked three local bloggers to put together some conference-worthy looks, here.
• Alison of Wardrobe Oxygen authored some basic conference fashion rules, then breaks it down into a few different types of conferences, here.
• Naina of Style'N shared her fashion conference look, which I think you could definitely take to another, not-as-conservative-but-still-businessy conference, here.
• Emily of Capital Style dissects the current boys' shirt trend and puts together a look (and some options) I think perfect for a conference attendee who's both professional and stylish, here.