What to wear to a trade fair
Dress in smart business casual with the most comfortable shoes you own: you may walk or stand 10 to 15 thousand steps across halls. Wear a blazer for meetings, layers for hot and cold halls, and a cross-body bag for cards and your phone.
Three outfits that work
Navy blazer, white blouse, stretch trousers, leather trainers
- navy blazer
- white blouse
- charcoal stretch trousers
- clean leather trainers
- cross-body bag for cards and phone
Stretch trousers and clean leather trainers carry you through a long walk, and the blazer is on for meetings and off in warm halls.
Navy blazer, white shirt, chinos, cushioned shoes
- navy blazer
- white shirt
- charcoal chinos
- cushioned leather shoes
- slim work bag
Chinos and cushioned leather shoes are smart and comfortable, and a blazer adds the polish for stand conversations.
Longline blazer, wide trousers, hijab
- navy longline blazer
- white long-sleeved blouse
- charcoal wide trousers
- beige hijab
- clean leather trainers
A long blazer and wide trousers are comfortable for long standing and walking, and the layers adapt to hall temperature.
By weather
| Hot22° and up | Light, breathable layers, a blazer for the stand and shoes with ventilation; halls can be hot. |
|---|---|
| Mild10° to 21° | A shirt or blouse, a blazer and a light coat for the walk between halls. |
| ColdBelow 10° | A warm coat for outdoor walks and a fine knit under the blazer; leave the coat in the cloakroom. |
Do and don’t
- Choose shoes you have already worn for a full day
- Dress in layers for different halls
- Carry a small bag with business cards, charger, mints and plasters
- Plan the day by hall and take short breaks to sit
- Wear new shoes or high heels
- Wear a heavy bag across one shoulder all day
- Wear strong perfume on a small stand
- Skip a spare pair of socks
Check the night before
- Check the hall plan and the dress code of any dinners
- Break in your shoes before the fair
- Pack business cards, a charger, a power bank and plasters
- Plan a layer for cold halls and a light coat for outside
- Pack a water bottle and a snack
Questions people ask
What should I wear to a trade fair?
Smart business casual: a blazer, shirt or blouse, tailored trousers and very comfortable shoes. Match the industry, so tech is more relaxed and finance more formal.
What shoes should I wear to a trade fair?
Cushioned leather shoes or clean leather trainers that you have already worn. You will stand and walk for hours.
Should I wear a suit to a trade fair?
Only if you are an exhibitor at a formal event or in finance, law or similar. Otherwise a blazer and trousers are enough.
What bag is best for a trade fair?
A cross-body bag or a slim backpack that holds cards, brochures, a charger and water, without weighing on one shoulder.
Pick Trade fair in FeinLens and see what you already own
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