I finally got to the ALA Conference. Today, I picked up my badge and did a quick sweep of the exhibit hall.
It's a Saturday, but I feel horribly under-dressed. I am hoping that people look dressed up (at least to me) because most of the attendees I saw are older and/or are probably at the conference for work. The dressiest clothes I packed are button-up shirts and casual, summer-weight slacks. The only footwear I packed are my very comfortable walking sneakers and flip-flops.
I examined the program guide and didn't see anything about a dress code. The web site mentions that business casual is "appropriate" but I saw a lot more people who were more formal...and I also saw a few people wearing shorts. =_=; I have to resist the urge to over-think this. I just have to keep telling myself that I'm breaking the stereotype.
I intend to spend more time at Nintendo's spot in the exhibit hall. I'll probably be spending most of my time at the Gaming/Graphic Novel section of the exhibit hall if I'm not attending panels. Other than that, I'm supposed to go to watch Dean Koontz speak and then try to get one of his books autographed for my friend who's providing me with crash space.
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2 comments:
break the mold! actually, you should go retro and look like a librarian from the 1950's. that would really break the mold. but seriously, a lot of the dressier types are probably corporate librarians. they can't help it; it's part of their culture. secretly, they yearn to wear what you're wearing.
There is no formal dress code :) the weather and how far you might have to walk, lugging 25 pounds of books and a laptop, is definitely a factor for me.
Dress at conference a combination of personal choice, and how you want to be perceived, professionally. People who are presenting usually dress up, lots of people do dress up for cocktail receptions or awards banquets, and people on committees or council are more likely to dress up. I hear ballgowns used to be the norm at the Newbery/Caldecott banquet!
I'm reminded of the story from the Little Prince, where the mathematician who presented a new concept only got taken seriously when he put on a business suit, instead of his native garb :)
I always thought I was judged on what I said, not how I looked, but unfortunately, it's not true. I was pretty embarrassed to have a supervisor pull me aside a few year ago and suggest I might want to dress a little more professionally. I think the adage of "dress for the job you want to have" holds pretty true in most professions. I'm finding fun ways to look dressy and still be comfortable, but I have flat feet and just can't wear cute shoes. You can look professional without doing the suit thing. Ask the people whose outfits you admire where they shop, and plan accordingly next time. As to the retro look, some people can rock it, some can't - if you have the confidence and style to carry it off, go for it.
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