Issue #1  ---What Do I Wear?    

Yes, I know this is trivial, but it is one of the first things I am asked by women.  As a general rule, meetings that are held immediately after work usually call for business attire.  Saturday night events and other “extravaganzas” may require evening wear.  Daytime pool, beach or other outdoor venues, will usually warrant “business casual” attire.

The easiest way to insure that you are properly outfitted is to call the person responsible for the event and simply ask, “What is the dress?”   Or, if you chicken out of this one, you can try something like, “Should my date wear a coat and tie?” You can also poll your co-workers for consensus or ask other people who are going to attend what they are wearing.

Remember what your mother said, “It’s always better to be over dressed than underdressed.”  Also, make sure you wear appropriate shoes.  Fashionable, but comfortable enough to allow you to be on your feet and “work the room.”  It does you no good to get to the conference and have to sit down because your feet, which look great in those new shoes, are killing you.

 If you carry a purse, you may want a shoulder strap so that you can juggle your drink and food.  You also need a free hand for shaking!

Coming Next:  Issue #2  “What Do I Talk About?”