What To Wear is a regular column focusing on conference style and the professional.
Harvest Summit, waylaid to November from its original October date last year by the Tubbs Fire, is back on track this year. 300 leaders in technology, media & entertainment, food & wine, and consumer products will gather once again, October 18-19, at a private wine country estate in Sonoma, California.
Google Education Evangelist Jaime Casap; James Beard Award Winning Chef Kyle Connaughton; Apple VP Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson; Biden Cancer Initiative President Greg Simon; Nike Asia Digital Commerce Experience Director Evan Steinberg; Floodgate Partner Mike Maples; Salesforce Global Customer Growth and Innovation Evangalist Tiffani Bova; Nest CTO Yoky Matsuoka; Audi of America VP & CFO Matt Carpenter; Baltimore Ravens VP Public Relations Chad Steele; Bloom Farms CEO Michael Ray; and Rebuild Northbay Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Gray Thompson are scheduled to attend, among others.
“Our mission is to gather executive leaders and innovators of all types outside of their industry silos to have real conversations with one another about the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow,” says Harvest Summit Co-Founder Jessica Kilcullen.
Harvest Summit’s unique environment and relaxed structure cooks up a rich, creative ‘soup du jour’ that allows for a mix of ideas and fresh perspectives.
“I also thought it was time for Sonoma County to host a much more progressive and inclusive gathering for men AND women leaders outstanding in their fields other than the male only Bohemian Grove.”
It isn’t often that one‘s invite to a professional event suggests “Wine Country Casual” attire. I imagine many of you may be asking ‘what exactly does that mean?’
Here are four fall inspirational style guides for Harvest Summit 2018. 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, jumpsuits or dress pants rather than dresses, trousers or jeans, go for it. The following style principals can still be applied.
If you’re going, 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.
The first look is a dark, floral, lightweight, midi dress layered with a lux, plush, fleece vest (also available in black and crimson) to accommodate varying temperatures. Accessories include ornate drop earrings; comfy, suede booties; a cranberry, suede/leather tote bag; plus an optional, complementary, fedora hat for outdoor adventures. Swap the booties for heels, knee-high boots, loafers or smart sneakers, as preferred.
Madewell Dress / Dolce Vita Booties / Anthropologie Earrings / J.Crew Vest / Vince Camuto Tote / BP Hat
The second look is a refined, plaid, Barlow jacket (or swap for a sport coat or puffer vest) layered over a classic, cashmere-cotton, crewneck sweater (or cotton shirt) in marled gray paired with comfy, black, chino trousers and accessorized with brown, leather, Chelsea boots and an optional, complementary brown messenger bag.
Nordstrom Sweater / Nordstrom Pants / Billabong Jacket / Frye Bag / 1901 Boots
The third look is a cozy, sherpa jacket in a golden pecan color layered over a rich, marled, green, lightweight sweater (or blouse) paired with high-waisted, straight-leg denim jeans and accessorized by marbled, hoop hearings; oversized, black sunglasses; on-trend, faux, snakeskin boots; and a multi-strap, leather handbag for ease of movement throughout the day.
H&M Sweater / AG Jeans / Anthropologie Earrings / QUAY Australia Sunglasses / Madewell Jacket / Madewell Bag / Marc Fisher Boots
The fourth look features an adventuresome, fleece jacket layered over a lux, black sweater (or swap for a collared shirt or cotton-thermal top) paired with dark-wash jeans. Accessories include a black, suede belt and black, suede sneakers; plus complementary Ray-Ban sunglasses for outdoor activities.
Everlane Sweater / Torino Belt / AG Jeans / Madewell Jacket / Ray-Ban Sunglasses / Nick Wooster x GREATS Royale Sneakers
Credits: Featured image courtesy of Harvest Summit. Harvest Summit visual style guides created by Corporate Fashionista.