How to Dress for Networking Events
For the final part in College Fashion’s How To Dress Professionally series, we’re going to talk about what you should wear to professional and casual networking events.
What’s funny is that these events are almost trickier to dress for than a normal day at the office, because what you wear has a big impact on how people perceive you. As always, it’s really important to make the right impression!
Don’t worry though, I know all about this stuff and once you get it down, getting dressed for networking events will be no trouble at all! Here are some tips on what to wear and what not to wear.
Networking Dress Basics
In general, you can expect to wear business casual to most networking events, unless your boss specifically tells you to wear a different dress code.
You can also expect to see people dressed slightly more fashion-forwardly than you would in the office. This is a time when you can have a little more fun with your clothes & put some more personality into your outfit!
Sample Networking Event Outfits:
Here are a few of my ideas for what to wear to a networking event. These are all fairly business casual, although you might want to skip the bright accessories or wear something long sleeved (or a cardigan) if you work in a particularly conservative industry & want to be on the safe side!
Product Information: Blazer by Charlotte Russe ($26.99), Top by Charlotte Russe
($17.99), Wet Seal ($22.50), Earrings from Nordstrom
, Bag by Stuart Weitzman
($375 – okay, splurge-y, but you can’t deny this bag is hot!), Heels by Jessica Simpson
($69)
An easy and stylish outfit for a networking event is a simple pair of black trousers, a dressy top, and a cap-sleeved blazer. Dress your look up with a nice purse and a pair of bright heels.
Product Information: Earrings by Kohl’s ($12), Lucite Bracelet by Sequin, Clutch from Bluefly
, Dress by Forever 21 ($34.80), Black Tights by H&M ($9), Heels by Enzo Angiolini
($100)
The above outfit is a simple but sophisticated look that’s really easy to do. A simple dress is paired with purple heels and a standout clutch. Classic yet fashionable jewelry dresses up the look and black tights help you stay within business casual guidelines.
This Next Outfit Submitted By Polyvore User Chrissy_:
Product Information: Click here
I don’t usually post stuff that I didn’t pick out myself, but Chrissy_ sent me this outfit & I thought it was too adorable not to add to the list! The outfit is called “Office Wear” but I thought it would work just as well for networking events. What do you think?
Other Networking Event Tips:
Almost as important as what you wear to a networking event is how you act! Your attitude says so much about you when you first meet people, so make sure you’re feeling good and exuding positive energy! Here are a few tips to make the best impression possible on the new people you’ll meet:
- Smile! This is so important, but so easy to forget! Sometimes when you’re nervous it shows on your face, so minimize the nerves before you enter the event. Once you walk in the door, act like you’re meeting a bunch of your best friends, and relax as much as you can! You will automatically make yourself look 10x more approachable, attractive and friendly.
- Check your posture. Stand up straight and make sure you keep your body language open by keeping your arms to your sides and your shoulders back! I know it’s tempting to fold your arms, but it makes you look closed off, which is just how you don’t want to look when networking!
- Mingle. This is a networking event basic. Don’t stay in one group all night talking to the same couple of people. The point is to get face time with as many people as you can, so make sure to work the room and get to know lots of different people throughout the night!
More Information
In case you missed the other articles in the How To Dress Professionally series, here they are: Business Dress Code Basics, How To Dress For A Job Interview, and What To Wear To Work (Or An Internship).
As always, let me know what you think of this! Would you wear these outfits to a networking event? If not, how would you dress? Hit the link below to post a comment!
Posted on on April 26, 2008 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Career, Internships, Job, Networking, Work
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Mai
I absolutely love the second outfit, paired with that splash of purple its beautiful. Thank you so much for your many ideas!
Emma
Wow, I love them all!
I’d personally wear the second, purple being my colour, but I can imagine the last one looking adorable too! =]
xx Emma
Anon
The last outfit is cute but there might be just a little too much bling. If you tone down the jewelry and replace the clutch with a bag that could actually hold a pen, then it’d be perfect. I really do like the bag in the first outfit though. Stylish but not over the top.
molly
I definitely think that women should wear skirts and dresses more to business events because we need to be more feminine and be taken seriously as women. We don’t need to be masculinity to be “businessy.”
Megan
I really love the first ensemble you created. I love the little spice of the hot pink shoes.
Zephyr
Mai – I love that outfit too; purple looks so cute with black & white, doesn’t it?
Emma – Yeah, the 2nd is super-cute! I think I’d wear the first; pink is my color!
Anon – I was thinking that there might be a tiny bit too much bling, but that’s easy to tone down. It’s just an idea! I don’t know about the bigger bag though, networking events don’t require a huge purse; you really just need some business cards, maybe resume copies, and that’s about it.
Molly – That’s a good point. I love skirts! Of course, I don’t think pants are too masculiney, if they’re cut right they are just as womanly as a skirt!
Megan – Thanks :) That one is my fave!
Midgie
I love the black roses earrings. :) Nice site btw
Licia
Awesome website. This is exactly the kind of website that proves useful when going throught the whole college to career phase of life. I’m phasing out into more maddening climbing of the corporate ladder but I find that this forum is helpful to spark a few ideas and help make decisions easier.
Love the second outfit can work for various body types and the purple pumps will certainly be a talking point with individuals whom enjoy fashion as well.
Susette
Sorry to say this, but these are not business casual. They’re too informal. I am a professional networker and would never wear these to a networking event. Forget the sleeveless and ruffles. Forget the hot pink and the high heels. Forget the dinky little purple clutch bag. You’ll be too busy carrying programs and cups of coffee to have another hand for holding it.
Take a portfolio with notepaper and business cards and a small shoulder purse for the rest. Wear plain pants with a nice belt and crease or a plain skirt below the knees. Wear a blouse with a collar and sleeves. A little silk scarf, a pin, a bracelet, small earrings, a gold chain perhaps (one or two together, not all at once) – nothing flashy. You need to look CLASSY, not flashy.