Trying to decide what to wear to Blissdom (or whatever blog conference you are headed to) seems like a monumental deal.
Do you need an all new wardrobe? How dressed up do you need to be? How many outfits should you bring with you?
Ask on twitter and the overwhelming response to what to wear to a blog conference is be yourself. Dress in what you are comfortable in.
And yes, that is truly the answer: you need to feel comfortable in the clothes you pick. That will make you feel more confident.
But, for those of us who need to know exactly that means in terms of what to pack in our suitcases, I’ll break it down a little more for you and share what I’ll be wearing.
Just how much do you need to bring with you?
Shoes: You’ve probably heard from everyone how huge the Gaylord Opryland is and how much you’ll be on your feet. This is NOT an exaggeration. Go for comfort here. I’m wearing my Uggs, bringing a pair of ballet flats for daytime, a pair of silver sandals(okay, they might just be flip flops) for the nighttime parties, a pair of running shoes in case I join in any of the fitness sessions(at 7am…ha!), and a pair of slippers for Saturday’s Girls’ Night In.
Daytime: So tempting to say to be you, but I’ll resist. You will see everything from jeans and t-shirts to skirts and cute tops to dresses, maybe even a few suits. Do make sure you dress in layers. At the very least, bring a sweater in case you get cold. Last year, I couldn’t concentrate in one of the sessions because I was shivering. You’ll need something for Thursday’s Blissdom Newcomer Welcome, Friday’s sessions, Saturday’s, and something to wear home on Sunday. I recommend bringing ONE extra outfit in case you spill or discover that your roommate brought the exact same outfit as you.
White House Black Market sweater, skinny jeans, paired with Uggs
Tibi Dress from Rent the Runway (image from RTR), though I'll wear with flats
Fitness Sessions: I only participated in one last year, which was a walk/jog around the Opryland. Yoga pants and a tee/tank are fine here.
Love me some Jockey
Nighttime:
Thursday night kick-off party: This is a more casual party, but this is the first time you’ll get to see a lot of your blogging friends, so you can go as dressy as you want. Think how you would dress for a girls’ night. You’ll see a lot of jeans with cute tops, as well as some dresses. I’m going a little dressier with a sparkly purple dress, just because working from home means I practically live in yoga pants and I love an excuse to get dressed up.
Recycling this sparkly dress from Hubs's Christmas party
Friday night Girls’ Night Out: This is where you can go all out if you want to: after all, the entertainment is Rascal Flatts! That dress that has been hanging in your closet that you never get a chance to wear- pull it out for this! You can never go wrong with a LBD, either. Once again, I’m going for more sparkle. I like sparkle. But, keep in mind that even this night, there will be plenty of people in jeans!
Lots of sparkle from Rent the Runway (image from RTR)
Saturday night Girls’ Night In: Bring a second set of pajamas and wear them to this event. You probably won’t want to wear the same pair you’d been wearing for the past 2-3 nights, so have a second pair. If you’d rather not wear pajamas, still go for comfort in sweats/yoga pants.
I have matching slippers, too. Forgive the wrinkles!
For the record, I’ll be in a hoodie, tank, and leggings for Sunday: comfort all the way.
Find clothes that make you feel like you and make you feel fabulous! Whatever you choose to wear, wear it with confidence and you’ll be just fine.
Ashley and I hope you have enjoyed our Blog Conference Prep Series. You can head over to her blog to see her take on what to wear to Blissdom. You can also catch up on any of the posts you may have missed:
Wait, what happens Sunday? I thought it was over on Saturday evening.
Maggie S. recently posted..Breaking the Ice
It does end Saturday night- but since everything goes really late, I’m not heading home til Sunday afternoon- going to try to catch lunch with friends before heading home!
Im SO excited!! Just 7 days away!
Jessica recently posted..Reverse Bucket List
Cannot wait!
I think I will be a little dressier this year too only b/c I spend so much time being frumpy at home w/ spit up on me and whatever….but I don’t own much sparkle…may have to bring one sparkly top though, just in case I’m brave enough to wear it…
helpful and fun post, Shell! SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!
erin margolin recently posted..Censorship, Playboy and Women’s Bodies in the Media
That’s how I feel- I am so frumpy at home lately, I want an excuse to get dressed up!
Can’t wait!
LOVE it! And I’ll be one of the ones in jeans and a fancy shirt on Friday night.
Nothing wrong with that!
I’m just feeling like getting a little dressier b/c I’ve been living in sweats lately.
Sounds like you will have an amazing time! I’m so excited to hear all about it.
Sandy
momof12 recently posted..The Monster Concert
Thanks! It should be a blast!
recycled dress or not, you look hot hot hot in that dress mama
Mama and the City recently posted..No, I Won’t Be Your Valentine
Thank you!
I love reading your blog, soI left a little something for you over on my latest post.
sister sister recently posted..The Versatile Bloggers
I love your style! Wish we could go shopping together and you could help me out
Kristen recently posted..Love Is…
A shopping trip would be fun!
Love this! Thanks for the tips. As a fashion reject, I did need to buy almost all new clothes just so I don’t look like a hobo!
Heather recently posted..Christian Upbringing is a Foundation Not a Force Field
I wear a lot of comfy clothes- sweats and yoga pants. So I did have to buy some, too.
This sounds like so much fun! I really hope to make it to one of these conferences someday – all of your prep posts have made me a little jealous.
I’m still so impressed by your blog redesign, too!! Every day I click through in my reader just so I can see the full page.
Jocelyn | ScooterMarie recently posted..Memories Captured – February Edition
You do need to go- they are so much fun!
And thank you! I love what Nap Warden did with my blog!
I knew you would have some flip flops in there! I may go for the LBD as I never dress up at home. If I were to actually dress as myself, I would be in jeans, t-shirt, topped with a hoodie. So I guess I will step it up a bit: Jeans, a turtleneck, and scarf. :)
Bernice @ The Stressed Mom recently posted..Are we stressing out our kids?
Of course I have to go with flip flops!
Such cute outfits and one of these days I’m actually going to need this conference prep advice.
Jessica recently posted..Lost In Translation
I hope it’s to a conference where I’ll be so we can meet!
Can I just say you two looked AMAZING on the Saturday night after Bloggy Bootcamp Atlanta – I felt very underdressed in comparison!
Thank you!
Though, no need to feel like that- there are people in all sorts of styles.
That sparkly purple dress is HOT – you should wear it with no provocation whatsoever!!
Jessie Powell recently posted..Surfing
Thank you- I love that one. And believe it or not, it’s SUPER comfy.
You are going to look awesome at this conference.
Thank you!
Hope you’ll be at Type A again!
I’ll be sporting jeans the whole time probably because they are my favorite!
Jessica recently posted..Most Likely To #Blissdom Edition
I put on a little winter weight and my dresses are more forgiving than my jeans.
Shell, you’re gonna be smokin’ hot!
Have fun! (and say hi to Flat Alison, won’t ya?)
Thank you!
Wish you could be there!
Love all your looks. I am crossing my fingers that I get to Blissdom next year!
Making It Work Mom recently posted..Happy Valentine’s Day
Hope you do get to go- Blissdom is a lot of fun!
Looks like you have it all planned out. You will look gorgeous, as usual.
Maybe next year.
I wish I could be there.
Kim recently posted..I love HDR
So bummed that you aren’t going!
Shell, this just makes me want to go to a conference with you one day! Have fun!
Sherri recently posted..Where My Words Live
Oh, that would be fun!
I like the advice about feeling good and comfortable. That is essential in anything we wear.
Barbara recently posted..That was the day….
Definitely the most important!
Hot hot hot!
Oh Shell, I’m so jealous. Give Ashley my love and have a great time.
And the redesign? How fun. I really really like what Nap Warden did for you.
So excited!
Thank you- I love what Nap Warden came up with for me!
Talk about hot Mama on the Christmas party. You look fabulous Shell. One of these days I’ll be attending a conference or something like that. Great outfits. All of them.
Sela Toki recently posted..My very ownTarot card reader
Thanks- the best thing about that dress? It’s also super comfy!
Really great tips, Shell! I love the way that you broke things down by day/ event!
Galit Breen recently posted..Less, and More
Thanks. Truly, I could have said wear jeans and a tee to everything. That’s what I love- it’s really okay to wear whatever. Just thought I’d share what I’m wearing. I feel like getting a little more dressed up.
So helpful! I’ll most likely be wearing jeans the whole time because that’s what I’m comfortable in. Also that whole baby bump thing too kind of hinders the dresses.
I’ll see you in a few days!!!
Kimberly recently posted..Here, There, and Everywhere
Such cute clothes! I especially love the skinny jeans and sweater.
Lady Jennie recently posted..Peanut Butter (Sugar-Free) Teff Cookies
I have those BIg Star jeans and I LOVE them!!!! You’re going to look great no matter what! Have a great time!
Rebecca @ Unexplained X2 recently posted..Do I Even KNOW You??? Marriage with kids…the first year