| How to Give Posted: 03 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST Giving is extremely rewarding, and most of us really want to lend a helping hand. Lending a helping hand doesn't have to mean giving money. Everyone can donate their time, compassion, or even patience to someone else. To get started on a giving journey, think about the different things you have to give (money, possessions, time, compassion), and focus on ways to make giving a habit. Then, jump into action by giving your time as a volunteer, donating goods or money, giving to friends and family, and furthering your giving mindset. [Edit]Donating Money or Possessions to Charity - Donate old clothing and household goods to charity. Most homes are filled with items that go unused all year round. By donating old items to charity, you can declutter your space and contribute to a good cause all at once! There are many national and local organizations that will accept your old household items (from clothing to kitchen appliances to furniture) and give them to those in need.
- Consider donating to your local Goodwill, which operates as a kind of thrift shop and provides job training to the unemployed. In 2017, Goodwill placed more than 288,000 people into jobs through extensive job training efforts.[1]
- You could also donate to the Salvation Army, which provides disaster relief and help to the homeless; Vietnam Veterans of America, which helps veterans; Operation Give, which distributes supplies abroad; or any number of national and local organizations.
- Gather up old books to give to literacy projects. Most of the books on our bookshelves sit there, lonely and unopened, for years at a time. Declutter your bookshelves and put your books to good use in the fight for global literacy. Many local, national, and even international organizations will accept your books and donate them to kids and adults who are learning to read, or provide them to people who don't have access to new books, like soldiers or prisoners.[2]
- International Book Project, the Global Literacy Project, and Darien Book Project are a few examples of organizations fighting for literacy in the US and abroad.
- Books Through Bars sends books to prisoners, while Books for Soldiers directs books overseas to US military.
- Give away old electronics, professional clothes or sports equipment to specialized non-profits. If you think something couldn't possibly be useful to an organization, think again. There are thousands upon thousands of organizations coming up with ways to recycle and treasure old items, and you can help them fulfill their missions with your old stuff.[3]
- Instead of sending old electronics to the landfill, you can give old video games to Games for Heroes, computer supplies to World Computer Exchange, and even used cell phones to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
- For old sports equipment, you can donate to a number of organizations, including Bicycles for Humanity, One World Running, and Bikes for the World.
- Donate old suits to Career Gear, Dress for Success, or the Women's Alliance, to help provide professional clothing to low-income individuals who are job searching.
- Contribute money to charity regularly if you have the extra funds. If you have gotten to a point in your life where you are comfortably earning and spending money without debt, try establishing a giving allowance in your monthly budget. Maybe you can cut down on personal spending in one area, like dining out or buying to-go coffees, to find some extra giving money.[4]
- If you're totally new to budgeting, the first step is to create a budget (or a budget spreadsheet).
- When donating money, choose effective organizations to financially support. Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GiveWell are examples of organizations which rank the effectiveness and accountability of charities to help you maximize the possible difference you can make when you donate.
- Chip in to disaster relief efforts in times of crisis. Whenever there is a tsunami, an earthquake, or any other kind of natural disaster, multiple organizations will spring into action to provide relief in the affected areas. Be on the lookout for ways you can help, like donating money, clothes, or food, whenever something shows up in the news that will affect a lot of people.
- You want to make sure the money you're donating is going to as many people as possible, so research the track record and the effectiveness of the charity you're donating to.
[Edit]Giving Your Time as a Volunteer - Find sporadic volunteer opportunities if you have a busy schedule. A hectic schedule can make volunteering seem intimidating, but you really only need a couple of hours for many volunteer opportunities. For example, you could volunteer at a park or beach clean-up, spend a few hours organizing cans at a food pantry, or spend a weekend working on a habitat house.[5]
- VolunteerMatch.org, Idealist.org, and HandsOn Network are all good websites to search for volunteer opportunities in your area.
- When political campaigns are going on, you can volunteer your time to support a local candidate in an election. All campaigns need people to man the phones and help others register to vote.
- A lot of volunteering organizations aren't going to be picky about how much time you give them. They will appreciate a few hours here and there if you're doing good work.
- Find recurring volunteer positions to give back to your community. Going back week after week is the best way to get invested in a cause and build relationships with those you are working for and serving.[6] Search online sites like Volunteer Match for recurring tutoring gigs, teaching fellowships, or fundraising positions at local and national organizations.
- Choose volunteer jobs that take advantage of your talents. For example, if you're musical, you could sing or play at nursing homes. With sports skills, you can coach a sport on a volunteer basis, perhaps working with special needs kids or underserved communities.[7]
- Inquire about volunteer positions at local non-profits. Call or email local non-profits, working on issues like poverty, homelessness, or animal welfare in your area, and ask if there are ways you can help. Some national organizations, like the YMCA and the Red Cross, consistently need volunteers and are great places to engage with your community.[8]
- On top of being a great way to give back, volunteering can also give you invaluable experience working in a field or cause you're excited about.
- Volunteering can also be a good way to see if certain career paths would be a good fit for you. Volunteering in hospitals, for example, could help you decide whether you might in the future want to pursue medicine.
- Serve in a full-time volunteer position, like the Peace Corps. It is possible to spend 1-2 years working full-time in a volunteer position. These kinds of positions allow you to make a more sustainable impact on people than once-a-week volunteering jobs. In the Peace Corps, volunteers spend two years in another country, working on a specific sector of development, like education, health, or agriculture.
- Teach for America is a well recognized volunteer organization in the US, where volunteers spend two years working as teachers in public schools and receive teacher training.[9]
- To make an impact on a place that is sustainable, it is important to do your research, work with a quality organization, and spend time getting to know a place before you jump in to help.
- Be wary of "voluntourism," or going to other countries for short periods of time to serve, which sometimes does more harm than good.[10]
[Edit]Sharing Gifts with Friends and Family - Give friends and family gifts on holidays or birthdays. Even though material gifts aren't the most important thing you can give a person, a carefully selected present can brighten a holiday or birthday. Pay attention to what your friends, family, and significant others enjoy in their daily life and use that knowledge to give them personal gifts.
- Think about what food and drinks your friend loves. For example, if your friend is a total coffee lover, you can buy them really quality coffee beans.
- Think about other things your friend enjoys, like certain books or movies, and come up with gifts that relate to those. You could get them a Princess Bride T-Shirt or a pair of Game of Thrones socks, for example.
- When you can't think of something personal, go with something classic, like ice-cream or flowers.
- Make your friends homemade gifts for an affordable, personal option. If giving a gift to a close friend, create a photo collage, make them a CD mix with songs you both love, or write them a poem about your friendship. Making gifts yourself shows you put in effort into the gift giving process, and your friend, teacher, parent, or sibling will definitely appreciate it.
- Purchase small trinkets to give to friends when you're traveling. This can be a nice way to let people know you were thinking about them on your journey. To make it more special, buy something you know the person will value, like a painting, or get them something they can eat or drink, like tea or coffee.
- Most people don't want to accumulate a bunch of random trinkets, so choose something special that you know your friend will enjoy.
- Give special gifts randomly and "just because." Sometimes there's nothing better than receiving a gift just because someone thought of you. For instance, if you see a book your friend has been talking about wanting to read, you could buy it for them as a surprise.
- Letters, postcards, and care packages are another great "just-because" kind of gift to give someone. Especially if you are far from a friend, these items can help you communicate and stay connected.
- You can also give your friends "rainy-day" gifts for when they're not doing too well. If you know your friend's favorite ice cream flavor, give them a carton of that ice cream on a bad day to make that person smile.
[Edit]Practicing Giving Daily - Provide support to people in your life. When you have the ability to help someone through a difficult time, be there for them in whatever way you can. You can provide support by listening, driving someone somewhere they need to go, offering advice, or comforting them when they're sad.
- Always be honest when giving advice. If you have no experience with the difficulty the other person is dealing with, say so.
- Or, just listen. Oftentimes, people simply need a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.
- Give praise to those who deserve it. Everyone needs a little encouragement sometimes. Giving an honest word of praise without being prompted can help boost the receiver's self-esteem and self-confidence, even on a bad day.[11]
- The praise you give should always be honest. Insincere praise can do more harm than good.
- Show patience with people and loved ones. Even the best of people will have an "off" day every now and then. Do your best to be understanding and patient with someone in a bad mood. The gift of patience might be exactly what that person needs to calm down.
- If you find that patience is impossible for you at some point in time, consider stepping away from the situation. Spend some time calming yourself down before dealing with this person again.
- Grant respect and kindness to the people around you. Respect and kindness are two of the most basic gifts you can give someone, and they're also two of the most important. Show respect and kindness to everyone, not just to people who are "above you" in a hierarchy or who are your elders. Treat everyone, from a homeless man on the corner to a CEO with respect and compassion.
- Treat people with sincerity. Don't answer seriousness with sarcasm.
- Any action meant to demean or cut someone down should be left behind.
- Empathizing with others can help you treat them with kindness. Consider people's situations and empathize with the fact that people can have hard days.[12]
- Develop a generous attitude towards others. To further your giving mindset, take note of reasons you have to be grateful, maintain a positive attitude, and spend time with generous people. It's important to believe in your own ability to positively impact the lives of others. Giving will be easier if you trust that your contribution will make a difference.
- For daily practice, try writing down three things you are grateful for each day in a journal.
- Friends and family influence you more than you might realize. When you surround yourself with generous people, their giving nature will begin to rub off on you.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Help End Hunger in the United States Posted: 02 Dec 2019 04:00 PM PST Hunger is a real problem in the United States—while there's plenty of food to go around, there isn't a great system in place for distributing the food efficiently. To help end hunger in the US, it's a good idea to spread the message about how big the problem truly is. You can start raising money to donate to organizations, volunteering at local food banks, or writing to local lawmakers asking them to help with your mission of ending hunger. [Edit]Raising Awareness - Read about hunger in the US for up-to-date information. Go online to find information about hunger in the US—you can read articles providing statistics and peruse news stories covering the problem. Researching the topic beforehand will help you understand the problem, allowing you to come up with helpful solutions.[1]
- Memorizing specific facts and statistics will help you be more persuasive and knowledgeable when discussing the topic with others.
- Spread the word to friends and family to encourage them to help. Start up a discussion with your family and friends about the information you've learned through researching hunger in the US. Encourage them to talk to others about the hunger crisis and help them find ways to start volunteering their time or resources.[2]
- You can also share what you've learned with coworkers or school acquaintances.
- Use social media to help you spread the word, or focus on talking one-on-one with people to have a thorough conversation about it.
- Use social media to inform others about the problem of hunger. This is a great way to reach a lot of people all at once. You can post scholarly or news articles about hunger in the US on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, encouraging people to read them.[3]
- You could also post links to interviews about the issue, or just post a couple of facts about the issue of hunger to get people thinking about it.
- Encourage friends and other connections on social media to choose a way to help reduce hunger, such as hosting a food drive or donating to a food organization.
- Organize a bake sale or run to raise awareness. By doing one of these events, not only will you be able to spread information to others, but you'll also raise money in the process. Design a run to promote hunger awareness and encourage people to sign up. You can also set up a bake sale, yard sale, or other creative event to raise money for an organization that supports the hungry.[4]
- Create a lemonade stand to raise money, or plan a local car wash.
- Make signs to advertise your fundraising event and hang them up around town.
- Start a letter campaign to encourage others to write to local lawmakers. By having lots of people write letters to lawmakers about the issue of hunger in the US, lawmakers will see how many people want change. To start your letter campaign, you can look up websites to help you with the process, such as https://help.actionnetwork.org/hc/en-us/articles/203112829-Creating-letter-campaigns.[5]
- Brainstorm with others about topics to bring up in your letters, such as asking policymakers to increase funding for nutrition services.
- Host a movie screening showing a movie about hunger in the US. Movies such as "A Place at the Table" highlight the issue of hunger in the country, making them a great tool for teaching others about the problem. Plan a movie screening at a place such as your local library, community center, or even your own home to get people together to learn about hunger.[6]
- Go online to find other movies or documentaries discussing hunger in the US.
- Ask your local community center or other spots suitable for movie screenings if they would help you with the screening.
- Hang flyers around town telling when and where the movie screening will take place.
- You can even create a Facebook event for the screening and invite your friends to it while encouraging them to invite people they know as well.
[Edit]Supporting Programs and Organizations - Donate excess food in your home to an organization. If you have extra canned goods that aren't being used or bought too much food the last time you went to the store, consider donating the leftovers. Do some research online to find an organization that's right for your extra food.[7]
- Use coupons when you go grocery shopping to purchase extra food specifically to donate.
- Packaged food can almost always be donated, and there are many food pantries or organizations (such as Ample Harvest) that will take fresh food.
- Contact your local food bank to learn about volunteer opportunities. Your local food bank or food pantry is always looking for people to help out, whether by organizing food, raising funds, or spreading awareness. Visit your local food bank in person, call their number, or visit their website to find out how you can get involved.[8]
- They'll be able to tell you valuable information, such as which foods are best to donate as well as other places that need help collecting food.
- You can also check with your church or local non-profits to see if there are any events or opportunities to help raise money for food, start a food drive, or help end hunger in another way.
- Host a healthy food drive in your area. Collect food from others that you can then donate to places such as a food pantry. Try to collect healthy foods instead of just junk food to provide a truly nutritious meal for someone.[9]
- Ask for foods such as peanut butter, canned tuna, canned fruit, whole wheat pasta, or low-sodium canned beans.
- Choose a place to have your food drive and put up flyers to advertise it.
- Post on social media to encourage others to donate to the food drive.
- Set up an online food drive to easily collect food. If you aren't able to host a real food drive, you can start one online through You Give Goods. Click on "Start an Event" on the main page to set up your event, and make sure you pick a charity to donate the food to. People will be able to purchase food online through the site, and the food will go directly to the charity.[10]
- You'll be able to select a goal of how many food items you'd like to have donated, as well as how long you'd like the food drive to go on.
- Check out the online food drive website at https://yougivegoods.com/.
- Help grow food locally. Not only is growing food locally a great way to know where the food is coming from, but it's also sure to be fresh, which is something that malnourished or hungry people truly need. Start getting involved in community gardening projects, or start your own mini garden and donate some of the food to people in need.[11]
- Read your local paper, ask around, or look online to see if there are any community gardens in your area.
- Volunteer throughout the year, not just during winter holidays. A lot of people choose Thanksgiving or Christmas to volunteer at food pantries, homeless shelters, or church organizations. Try to volunteer year-round to help make a difference no matter the holiday.[12]
[Edit]Choosing Organizations to Support - Contribute to Feeding America to provide meals to the hungry. Feeding America has over 200 food banks around the country, making them super accessible and influential in helping end hunger in the US. You can donate on their website, either donating a flat amount or by choosing to give money each month.[13]
- They help distribute food through food pantries, soup kitchens, and after-school programs.
- Click on the red "Donate" button at the top of the page when you visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/.
- Each dollar you give to Feeding America provides 10 meals.
- Donate to Meals on Wheels to promote the delivery of food. Meals on Wheels is an organization that delivers food to people who can't make or buy their own food. There are Meals on Wheels organizations in every single state, so you can either donate online at their website, or you can contact your local Meals on Wheels site to see how else you can get involved.[14]
- Visit Feed the Children's website to make a difference in children's lives. When you donate to Feed the Children, each dollar you give multiplies by 7, giving children nourishing food and important supplies. You can go on their website and click on the pink donate button to donate easily.[15]
- Support No Kid Hungry in their goal to reduce children's hunger. No Kid Hungry works to do things like give kids meals over the summer when they don't have access to school food, teach families about nutritious foods, and work with policymakers to change the food system.[16]
- Help UNICEF save children from experiencing hunger. UNICEF is a large organization that encourages people's involvement to help end malnutrition, whether through advocating, fundraising, or donating. To donate, you can visit their website at https://www.unicefusa.org/.
- Scroll over "Our Mission" and then click on "Nutrition" to learn more about their efforts to help end hunger.
[Edit]References |
| How to Dress for a Conference Posted: 02 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST Attending a conference is a great way to learn about new ideas in your industry and network with other professionals in your field. Conferences usually only last for a few days, so you want to make sure that you dress appropriately so you can put your best foot forward. To help you decide what to wear, check if there is a conference dress code, or do a little research about typical attire for conferences in your field. Then, whether the conference is formal, business casual, or even more casual, you can plan your outfit accordingly and feel confident that you are dressed to impress. [Edit]Assessing the Type of Dress - Ask a colleague for advice on how conference attendees usually dress. Ask your boss or more experienced colleagues to find out how attendees tend to dress for conferences in your field. In most cases, conference attire is business casual. However, there are some exceptions. Asking people who have attended similar conferences can help you get an idea about what to expect.[1]
- For example, while academic conferences tend to be business casual, at a fashion industry conference, you may be able to wear more statement-making attire. Asking colleagues is a great way to help you get a better idea.
- Take your role at the conference into account. In addition to your field or industry, taking your role at the conference into account can help you assess the type of dress you should wear. If you are presenting, for example, you'll like want to dress more formally than an attendee since all eyes will be on you during your presentation. Similarly, if you are a conference organizer, speaker, or have a management or executive role, erring on the more formal side will help ensure that you look professional and pulled-together.
- In addition, you'll likely want to dress in a more formal outfit that is simple, sleek, and professional if you are hoping to make new contacts to help you find a job.
- While you may be able to get away with a more casual shirt or dark denim as an attendee, for example, try to avoid these types of more casual pieces if you're role at the conference is more public and hands-on.
- Check if there is a conference dress code. Look on the conference website or check any conference-related emails to see if the organizers have implemented a dress code. While dress codes are less frequent these days, they are still implemented for some disciplines.[2] If there is a dress code, it can help you determine what is appropriate for that specific conference.
- For example, if the dress code is described as "business formal," you will likely need to wear a work-appropriate suit and, for men, a tie or bow tie.
- Look at the activity schedule and venues for clues. If the dress code isn't immediately apparent on the conference's website, look at the conference schedule to see what activities are planned and where they are taking place. This can help give you a clue about how to dress.
- For example, if the conference is taking place at a 5-star hotel, you will likely want to choose a more formal outfit.
- If the conference activity schedule includes a long walking tour, you will need to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Therefore, you can likely choose a more relaxed, casual outfit.
- Consider the typical dress for conferences in your field. In general, conferences in a given industry or field tend to have a similar level of formality. Therefore, even if you aren't able to find any information on a specific dress code, you'll likely be able to assess how formal you should dress based on what's typical for your field.[3]
- For example, conferences in business-related fields, such as finance and business management, tend to be more formal. Therefore, if you are attending a business management conference, you'll likely want to choose a more formal outfit, such a business suit.
- Conferences in personal wellness-related fields, on the other hand, tend to be more casual. If you are attending a conference on yoga and mindfulness, for example, you will likely be able to wear more casual attire, such as jeans and a sweater.
- Check social media for images of past conference meetings. Many conference organizers post updates about conferences on social media these days, including images of presenters and attendees. If you are unsure what to wear, searching on social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can be a great way to look at pictures from past years of the conference to see what people tend to wear.
- One way to check social media for conference images is to search for the conference account.
- If the conference does not have its own social media account, try searching for relevant hashtags.
- Choose standard professional attire if you aren't sure what to wear. You really can't go wrong with timeless professional pieces. If you are having a hard time figuring out what to wear, go for items that are clean, professional, and neutral.[4]
- A fitted blazer and slacks, for example, is appropriate for almost any professional conference and is a great outfit option for men and women alike.[5]
- If you are a woman, a sleek pencil skirt paired with a neutral button-down and pumps is a classic option that is appropriate for almost any professional setting, including a conference.
- Wearing neutral, professional basics also makes it easier to mix and match your outfits. Therefore, you won't have to pack all new pieces for every day of the conference.[6]
[Edit]Dressing for a Formal Conference - Wear a more formal outfit than you do for work. In general, it is better to be overdressed for a formal conference than underdressed. While you may be able to get away with a cotton v-neck tucked into your slacks on laundry day for work, at a conference, it is important that you put your best foot forward. You only have a few days to make a good impression and if the conference is formal, you need to be sure that you are following suit.[7]
- As a general rule of thumb, if you are questioning whether an item is too casual, don't wear it. Even if your office is more formal and you have worn this item to work before, for the conference, stick to items that are completely in-line with the dress code or what is expected.
- It is particularly important that you dress appropriately when you're presenting. As a result, when choosing what to wear to present at a formal conference, go for an outfit that is strictly professional, even if it means wearing something more conservative than you normally would.[8]
- Avoid distracting patterns or color schemes. Instead, choose pieces in more neutral, professional color tones, such as black, white, nude, or navy. When attending a more formal conference, you want people to pay attention to you and your work, not your outfit.[9] As a result, avoid wearing any items that may be distracting.
- Even if you love your favorite hot pink or psychedelic print shirt, for example, save it for a social occasion.
- If you want to add a pop of color or bit of visual interest to your outfit, you can add a colorful but still muted and appropriate accessory, such as simple emerald earrings or a patterned pair of loafer socks.
- Choose a professional suit for an easy formal option. Whether you are a man or a woman, a well-tailored business suit will make you look sharp and professional. Conferences are often just as much about networking as they are about sharing ideas. Wearing a clean business suit in a muted tone and pattern can help you make sure that other conference-goers see you as someone respectable and important.[10]
- If you are a woman, you can mix up your suits from one day of the conference to the next by switching out your slacks for a pencil skirt or simple silk midi skirt.[11]
- If you are a man, while it is perfectly acceptable to wear the same suit more than once, make sure that you pack enough shirts and ties to mix up your outfit from day to day.
- Go for a classic black dress if you are a woman. If you own a classic black dress, you can easily turn it into professional attire for a formal conference by adding a neutral pair of heels and pantyhose or tights.[12] Make sure that you choose a dress that is not too short (preferably one that hits below the knee), or that shows too much of your chest (boat-neck or high v-neck cuts are good options).
- To ensure that your black dress is business formal, avoid more flirty, flared cuts. Instead, focus on options that are straight down like a pencil skirt.
- If you want to cover up your arms, wear a chic fitted blazer on top of your black dress. This will instantly elevate your dress into more professional attire.
- Wear simple and neutral closed-toe shoes. To help complete your formal, professional look, select shoes in classically professional styles and in neutral-toned colors. While you may love your new pair of peep-toe wedges if you are a woman, or navy blue boat shoes if you are a man, for a formal conference, try to keep your footwear as simple as possible.
- If you are a woman, black or nude pointy-toe pumps with comfortable mid-high heels will look perfectly professional and complement almost any formal conference outfit.[13]
- If you are wearing a business suit, classic dress shoes or loafers are a great option that will go well with your suit and keep you looking sleek and professional.
- Choose simple, understated accessories. When finalizing your formal conference look, avoid selecting any jewelry or accessories that are too large, bright, colorful, or distracting. Instead, focus on choosing accessories that subtly add to your outfit and that are in-line with the professional tone of your outfit.
- For example, if you are wearing a tie, choose an option with a small, simple pattern, such as a small plaid or dot pattern, that comes in a muted, neutral color scheme, such as a navy with a subtle red or dark green pattern.
- When selecting your jewelry, for example, avoid any large costume-style jewelry. Instead, focus on simple, professional pieces, such as a sleek leather or metal watch or thin gold hoop earrings.
- If you plan to accessorize with a bag, focus on finding an option that is both practical and professional, such as a simple tan leather tote or a brown leather briefcase.
[Edit]Getting Dressed for a Business Casual Conference - Choose less formal fabrics and styles in professional cuts. When you are attending a business casual conference, you still want to look professional. To dress more casually but still present yourself well, choose items in more relaxed, comfortable styles and fabrics that still look put together and professional.[14]
- Remove or replace 1 or 2 standard business-attire items. If you want to wear more formal pieces but tone them down, you can remove or replace 1 or more formal pieces of the outfit with more casual pieces. That way, you will be able to utilize your more formal conference attire and make it feel more appropriate and approachable for a casual conference.
- For example, if you are a man and plan to wear a business suit to a casual conference, skip the tie. You can also choose a more relaxed style of shirt, such as a simple plaid, rather than the more formal crisp white button down you may usually wear with your suit.
- If you are a woman, you can replace your suit jacket with a cardigan sweater, or wear a silk or cotton blouse to make your suit pants or skirts more causal.
- Add in elements of your personal style. While you want to look professional and appropriate at the conference, you also want to feel comfortable and confident in your outfit. Business casual conferences allow you to exhibit a bit more creativity with your attire. Adding just a touch of something unique or personal can make your outfit a bit more casual by showing more of your individual style.[15]
- At a business casual conference, feel free to get a bit more creative with colors and patterns. While you still want to keep things fairly muted and professional, you can add in a fun accessory or colorful top to give your outfit a bit more pizzazz.
- If you are a man, for example, you could select a tie or pocket square in a color or pattern that suits your personal style.
- Avoid wearing anything overly trendy or revealing. While business casual conferences allow for a bit more flexibility, you should still steer away from wearing any clothing pieces that are too trendy, revealing, or impractical. While you want to feel like yourself, you also want to present yourself as a professional who takes their job seriously.
- To help you decide whether an item is too trendy or revealing, consider whether your boss would wear it to a conference. If the answer is no, you should probably choose something different to wear yourself.
- For example, avoid wearing any tops that are too tight, low cut, sheer, or cropped.
- While trendy items, such as platform wedge shoes and cropped flare jeans, might look great for a night out with friends, these items are best left at home when you are packing for a conference.
- Try khakis with a crisp shirt and blazer for a clean-cut look. Instead of a business suit, try clean-cut, fitted khaki trousers with a crisp shirt and a tweed or cotton tailored blazer. The fabric of the khaki and tweed will make your outfit more casual than a formal suit, but the tailored fit of the trousers and blazer will keep you looking sharp.
- Go for a midi skirt with a cotton turtle neck top. For a more feminine look to wear to a business casual conference, try a midi skirt in a less-structured fabric and fit, such as a flowy silk fabric. Wear your midi skirt with a simple cotton turtle neck or tie-neck top and classic nude or black pumps for an on-trend, stylish business casual look.[16]
- Wear tailored cropped pants for a structured, less formal option. Instead of suit pants, try a pair of well-tailored cropped pants. The cropped cut will keep your outfit from looking too formal, while the tailored fit will ensure that you'll still look pulled together.
- To complete your look, pair your tailored cropped pants with a silk tie-neck blouse and flats.[17]
- Choose dark wash, tailored jeans if you want to go more casual. If you want to wear jeans to a business casual conference, choose jeans that are well-tailored and come in a darker wash, such as a dark blue or black.[18] While wearing denim will immediately make your outfit more casual, you can still look professional enough for a conference if you choose a well-structured darker wash.
- Make sure that you avoid any denim that is faded, ripped, frayed, or baggy. While you may want to tone things down for a business casual conference, you still need to make a good impression. Faded, ripped, frayed, or baggy jeans may send the message to other attendees that you don't take your career seriously.
- Pair dark jeans with a blazer, collared shirt, and dressier shoes for a relaxed but still professional look.
[Edit]Going Casual for a Conference - Avoid wearing any pieces that are wrinkled, stained, or ripped. While dressing for a casual conference gives you much more flexibility in your attire, you'll still want to make sure that you look professional and appropriate. As a result, avoid wearing any pieces that are wrinkled, stained, or ripped – even if the ripping is purposeful. Instead, stick to items that are clean and well-fitted so that you can present yourself well even when you are going more casual.
- For example, avoid any tops that are cut-off or frayed at the bottom or sleeves. While cut-off cropped tops are great for lounging and running errands, such items may send the wrong message at a conference.
- Choose comfortable, work-appropriate shoes. When you are dressing down for a more casual conference, choose shoes that are casual and comfortable, yet covered-up. Even for a casual conference get-together or activity, you'll likely want to avoid flip flops or sneakers, as both options can instantly make your outfit a bit too informal. Instead, focus on finding shoes that will complement or even elevate your more casual outfit.[19]
- Ballerina flats or lace-up boat shoes, for example, are both great options that pair well with jeans or a simple dress for more casual conference.
- Bring an extra layer in case you've dressed too casually. If you are attending a more casual conference but you aren't quite sure about your outfit, bring a slightly more formal item that you can wear on top of your outfit to make your look a bit more professional.[20] A simple cardigan sweater, tailored blazer, or classic beige trench coat are all options that can instantly elevate your outfit if you get to the conference and feel a bit underdressed.
- By bringing an extra layer, you'll also have option to put on your sweater or jacket if the conference rooms get a bit chilly.
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