What To Wear is a regular column focusing on conference style and the professional. Salesforce has played an important role in encouraging Corporate Fashionista to expand her fashion sense to include professionals of all sexual orientations. I am proud to kickstart the new, more inclusive, CF re-launch with #DF18.
Tech-giant Salesforce will host more than 171,000 attendees at Dreamforce 2018, September 25-28, in San Francisco, California. The annual experiential, outdoorsy event is the largest software conference in the world.
Metallica will headline Dreamfest this year for a rockin’ benefit concert to support breakthroughs in children’s health via UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
“We are going bigger and better than ever before this year,” says Salesforce VP Dreamforce Conference Chair Brigitte Donner.
“There’s going to be some amazing surprise moments of delight [hint: a giant waterfall stage + lots more] when Trailblazers enter the brand new DreamForest space.”
Salesforce Chairman & Co-CEO (and new Time magazine owner) Marc Benioff will introduce keynote speakers such as former U.S. Vice President & Generation Investment Management Founder Al Gore, PG&E CEO & President Geisha J. Williams, Golden State Warriors Basketball Player & Entrepreneur Andre Iguodala, Artist & i.am+ Founder will.i.am., and Marriott International President & CEO Arne Sorenson.
“Dreamforce has evolved to be more than just a technology conference. We really believe that business is a platform for change and we’re seeing that in the type of programming, world leaders, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders that we attract to Dreamforce every year. And it’s a big reason why our customers come to Dreamforce every year…to learn and share best practices and success stories that they can then take back to drive their businesses forward,” says Donner.
Salesforce will hold numerous breakout sessions. Content will be tailored specific to industry, themes, roles, & products and will be ongoing throughout the conference along with panel discussions, fireside chats, and hands on training. Topics include Ethical Responsibility in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Leadership in a Changing World, How to Stop Technology from Destabilizing the World, Future of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Future of Retail, and Personal Empowerment: How to Live a Successful Life. The Cloud Expo will return to Dreamforce with live demos.
Dreamforce’s popular Equality Summit is returning for the fourth year in a row along with its first ever Climate Summit.
A dynamic mentoring event new to Dreamforce 2018 is Future Executive Summit giving 400 young adults from Bay Area workforce development partners the opportunity to attend and experience #DF18. Specialty career advice, networking and skills building opportunities will be available. Dreamforce is additionally partnering with PepUp Tech.
#DF18 also announced plans to join forces with Larkin Street Youth Services and Hamilton Families to help end homelessness in the Bay Area. Occasions to support this cause through completing Dreamforce Quests are planned across the 4-day event.
If you are going, use Dreamforce 2018 as an opportunity to express your individuality (check out what 80+ Traction on Demand team members wore last year with custom looks planned for this year) and still invite a fun, professional & confident visual presentation.
Here are six inspirational style guides for #DF18. I chose to focus on polished dresses and pant looks for guest speakers and attendees. My advice is to choose whatever style best conveys your personality, so if you enjoy wearing skirts or jumpsuits rather than dresses, trousers or jeans, go for it. The following style principals can still be applied.
If you’re a guest speaker, be mindful that you are in the spotlight and what you wear can either distract or support your message. There are several factors to consider: one of the most important is to be aware that you need to be clearly seen by attendees sitting in the first row to the last, as well as appear undistorted in up-close video or Instagram shots, and don’t forget live streaming instant video such as Facebook Live or Insta Stories. The right neckline, silhouette, color, and pattern/print are crucial.
Below are two Fall-inspired guest speaker (or #DF18 after-party) looks. The first look is a cozy, green, cashmere, midi sweater dress (optional belt, plus alternative fabrication versions here and here) paired with faux-suede, scrunchy boots in cognac, and accessorized with embossed hoop earrings, plus a complementary brown, leather moto jacket; metallic-infused Nike sneakers; and a roomy, faux-snakeskin bag to be worn post-talk, as preferred.
Nordstrom Dress / GAS Bijou Earrings / Topshop Bag / Target Boots / H&M Jacket / Nike Sneakers
The second guest speaker look is a luxe, olive green, suede bomber jacket (or swap for a sport coat) layered over a classic, cotton-blend, crewneck sweater in marled burgundy paired with Madewell’s new dark wash denim jeans. Accessories include leather oxfords in cognac and a slim-fit messenger bag for post-talk activities.
Mango Sweater / Magnanni Belt / Madewell Jeans / Mango Jacket / Tumi Bag / Cole Haan Shoes
If you’re an attendee, I recommend taking comfort as well as style into consideration when planning what to wear. The day is a long affair, and being distracted by throbbing feet, a fussy handbag, a tight belt, or fidgeting with your look in any way is no fun. Below are four fashion-forward, professionally-polished, yet versatile looks for #DF18.
The first look features an on-trend, relaxed-fit, tan, corduroy blazer layered over an ivory, short-sleeve, cashmere sweater paired with light-wash, frayed-hem, denim jeans and accessorized by Warby Parker’s new metal eyeglasses; a double-stranded, pendant necklace; a roomy, convertible, black, leather, backpack; and complementary low-heeled, leather, ankle-boots new from Everlane. Swap the blazer for a long cardigan or bomber jacket and the boots for heels, loafers or sneakers, as preferred.
Mango Blazer / Madewell Jeans / Warby Parker Eyeglasses / Mango Necklace / H&M Sweater / Holly & Tanager Backpack / Everlane Boots
The second attendee look features a classic, check dress shirt paired with casual, navy blue, chino trousers and accessorized by complementary canvas sneakers and a modern snap backpack. Add the optional Sherpa-lined, denim jacket and colorful Ray-Ban sunglasses for outdoor activities.
Levi’s Jacket / Ben Sherman Shirt / J.Crew Pants / Ray-Ban Sunglasses / Everlane Backpack / Nike Sneakers
The third look features a vintage-inspired, belted, cognac leather jacket (also available in black or swap for a cotton surplus) to accommodate weather fluctuations layered over a lightweight, micro-print blouse paired with trendy, flared, denim trouser jeans. Accessories include mini, dagger, drop earrings; comfy sneakers; and a multi-strap crossbody bag for ease of movement throughout the day; plus retro, aviator sunglasses for outdoor adventures.
Mango Jacket / Mango Pants / Shashi Earrings / Quay Sunglasses / All In Favor Top / Madewell Bag / Vans Sneakers
The fourth attendee look features a casual, suede, quilted, vest jacket layered over a sporty, cotton-knit sweater paired with comfy, khaki green, 5-pocket chino pants (alternative corduroy pants option here). Accessories include new Warby Parker wire eyeglasses; suede Nike sneakers or optional leather, chukka boots; and a roomy, vintage-inspired, handsfree, leather/canvas messenger bag for ease of movement throughout the day.
Mango Jacket / Mango Sweater / Mango Pants / Warby Parker Eyeglasses / Boconi Bag / Nike Sneakers / Cole Haan Boots
Credits: Featured image courtesy of Salesforce/Jakub Mosur Photography. Dreamforce visual style guides created by Corporate Fashionista.
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