BlogHer - What to wear when you're somewhere new (perhaps San Francisco!) - Comments

Now that is GREAT advice!

Jill Miller Zimon — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:16:33 -0500

This whole topic has me laughing so hard I can't even leave a good comment but Liz, that is great advice. I actually know this guy who runs a company called Koyono and he makes clothing for tech gear and I just told him that if he wants to be ahead of the curve, he should be designing for BlogHers!

I don't know what I'm packing or wearing but I imagine that the condition of my back is going to have a big role in this decision! Luckily I just forced myself to start working out again today. :)

Tips for foot cramps if you are afraid to wear uncomfy shoes: drink tonic water with quinine!

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

The best blogging outfit

Liz Henry — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:37:59 -0500

The best blogging outfit is good for sitting on the floor by the power outlets, and has lots of pockets for all your digital camera junk!

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Liz Henry
lizzard@bookmaniac.net
Badgermama - personal & mommyblog

Is it wrong of me to say ...

Susan Wagner — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:36:21 -0500

that I am HOPING it will be cold in SF? I am so over hot. Seriously.

HeatherB is right -- suddenly swapping your flip flops for wedge heeled espadrilles will leave you weeping. Go with some nice thong sandals instead, something NOT designed for the pool -- you know with a LEATHER sole instead of rubber. Ooooh fancy.

Fashion Find | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate

I suppose I can come say hello to you

HeatherB — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:29:31 -0500

While wearing crocs.

Kidding, because I don't want you to have a heart attack.

In all seriousness though; if you wear flip flops at all times in your real life and then you up and decide to switch to espadriles or ballet flats, to look cute, you are are going to be uncomfortable and instead of focusing on convesation and meeting people, you will be focusing on the blister that has formed on your heel.

I will be wearing flip flops, peep toe flats, espadrilles, some cute Keen Mary Janes and LOTS of dresses. Honestly no one will remember what you wore or what your shoes looked like or that you wore pink stilletos the entire time. It's total come as you are.

Oh and remember that it is San Francisco in July and it MIGHT be cold. So be prepared.

Heather B.
Personal Blog: No Pasa Nada
BlogHer CE: Business, Career & Personal Finance

Every single one of you ...

Susan Wagner — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:05:03 -0500

needs to make a point of coming to say hello. Please.

And I am sorely tempted -- SORELY! TEMPTED! -- to pack nothing but yoga pants and tank tops and flip flops for this shindig.

But I will not.

Fashion Find | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate

Not sure . . .

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:42:15 -0500

exactly what I'm wearing, but I can promise you between now and then, there will be shopping!

I do have the shoes though.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

I'm wearing what I wear

slynnro — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:29:05 -0500

I'm wearing what I wear every day, but since I'm a chronic overdresser......

Again with the no flip flop

katysabrat — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:20:31 -0500

Again with the no flip flop warning, huh? What's this SoCal girl to do? Guess I'll just wear the cute flats then *sigh* Maybe instead of buying new dark wash jeans I'll just get a longish pair tailored. Then agian, I have the bad habit of shopping before any type of trip (and I'm not even really much of a shopper and certainly not a fashionista).

See you ladies there!

~Katy

Great point Susan

crashtestmommy — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:20:05 -0500

And while I thought this was an extremely well-written, very thought-provoking post I would still prefer if you would drive the hour and a half to my home and just freaking style me already.

Or I'll drive there. Whichever works for you.

Jenny, Crash Test Mommy

Built for comfort not speed!

Lovebabz — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:08:27 -0500

My goal will be comfort...tasteful, fashionable and as hip as I can be.

Some of us need permission to be ourselves...thanks for giving it!

Love,

Babz

You are so wise. I wish you

kyranp — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:50:47 -0500

You are so wise. I wish you came in a purse-sized you. I would always have you handy in dressing rooms.

Honestly? I don't remember what anyone wore last year.

Kyran, Notes to Self

Travel Writers Wear Sensible Shoes

Nancy Brown WhataTrip — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:45:33 -0500

Hey Susan,

I'm excited to be attending BlogHer for the first time but quite honestly, I hadn't given the wardrobe a second thought. I'll speak for myself instead of broad brushing all travel writers in stating that I wear comfortable shoes and clothes when I travel AND in my every day life.

Yes, I know that's incredibly boring. I have a 16-year-old fashion conscious daughter who wishes I would dress more hip. So when you spy the woman with dish water blonde, shoulder length hair, decked out in Coldwater Creek, Gap or Talbot capris and sporting Rockport sandals you can come and say hello to the "what not to wear" girl.

Nancy Brown

http://blogs.bootsnall.com/What-A-Trip/

I would tell you I'm going to wear comfortable shoes...

rocksinmydryer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:03:09 -0500

...but I would be lying. They aren't comfortable. But OH they are smokin' hot.

Shannon @ Rocks In My Dryer
www.rocksinmydryer.net
BlogHer Contributing Editor, Mommy and Family

What to wear when you're somewhere new (perhaps San Francisco!)

Susan Wagner — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:22:17 -0500

I am resisting the What to Wear to BlogHer post, for two reasons; not all of you are BlogHer-bound, for one, and those of you who are should know that there are no real rules about what to wear to the conference.

But still. I see your posts and Twitters and coments, and I hear you talking: OMG WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR TO BLOGHER?!? Let's think about it this way: what would you wear to any function that would involve networking and socializing and meeting new people?

Oh right, that's why this is so hard.

I could give you all sorts of fancy advice about wrap dresses (chic! and fashionable!) and shirt dresses (easy to dress up! and down!) and jeans (dark rinse! mid rise!), but the real truth is this: any time you go some place new, any place that is unfamiliar and different, you need to wear what is comfortable for you, because when you are comfortable in your clothes, it is easier to be comfortable in your skin.

I really believe that.

It's easy, when you're going some place different and meeting new people, to fall into the trap of thinking that the best strategy is to buy a WHOLE NEW WARDROBE! or at least a few strategic pieces, but I promise you, this isn't the solution. New clothes won't make you a new person, and while I'm not opposed to picking up a few carefully chosen things for any trip, I strongly advise you to stick with what works for you. In other words, feel free to replace your faded and worn black pants with some new ones, but don't decide that this would be the time to dress more like Carrie Bradshaw and less like a soccer mom.

But why not seize this opportunity to recreate yourself? Why not take a chance and change your look? Because who you are isn't about how you look. Oh, sure, it's always a good idea to look professional and appropriate (no flip flops! seriously) but if you're a capris and a tee kind of girl, a new venue may not be the best place to experiment with stilettos and a tube top. Be yourself, even if that means wearing what you wear every day.

Does this mean that you're doomed to spend your entire trip to San Francisco or Denver or Albany or wherever you're going in the yoga pants and tank top you wore to chase your toddler around today? No. But it means that you should stay with what you know, with what's comfortable. If you wear mostly pants in your regular life, wear pants to this new venue; if you don't like heels, choose some cute flats.

While you're staying with what you know, though, think outside the box. Instead of those Crocs, get yourself some cute metallic ballet flats; instead of a tank top, look for a twinset or an embellished tee. Define your basic look and then dress it up, make it festive. Be yourself, but spiffier.

When you choose a look that is a version of what you wear every day, you will feel like yourself, and in a room full of people you've never met before, that matters. People want to get to know YOU, not your shoes or your dress. Be yourself, in clothes that fit and flatter you and feel comfortable, and your real personality will shine through. I promise.

Who else has advice about what to wear to BlogHer?

Kristin at Motherhood Uncensored suggests a sleeping baby. Amanda at The Wink has enlisted her daughters to help choose her outfits (they've got style, those girls). Baby Faith is dressing a mama and a tot for BlogHer. And Rhi in Pink has asked her readers what THEY are wearing.

Susan Wagner writes about style at Fashion Find and The Working Closet, and about everything else at Friday Playdate. Come see what's she's wearing at the Fashion and Shopping Birds of a Feather session at BlogHer!