What To Wear is a regular column focusing on conference style and the professional.
Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is jumpstarting the New Year in style by getting ready to host 180,000+ professionals and tech enthusiasts from around the globe at CES 2019, the year’s biggest technology conference, January 8-11, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For over 50 years, the annual trade show showcases the latest technological innovations in the consumer electronics industry with more than 4,500 exhibiting companies.
“The entire tech ecosystem gathers at CES, with every major and emerging industry represented, showing us that every company is a tech company,” says CES Executive Vice President Karen Chupka.
“New key and emerging themes for CES this year include 5G and mobile connectivity, artificial intelligence, voice activation, 8K, resiliency and digital health.”
CTA President & CEO Gary Shapiro will introduce keynote speakers such as LG Electronics President & CTO Dr. I.P. Park; IBM Chairman, President & CEO Ginni Rometty; Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg; U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao; AT&T Communications CEO John Donovan; MediaLink Chairman & CEO Michael Kassan; and AMD President & CEO Dr. Lisa Su.
CES will also hold numerous sessions and panel discussions. Content tracks will be tailored specific to industry and trends. Topics include When Does My Air Taxi Arrive?, Household Robots: Doing the Chores We Don’t Want to Do, Trust and Transparency in Advertising, True Confessions: ICOs, Crypto, Tokens and VCs, Patient Decade Commences: Tear Down These Walls!, Building the Retail Ecosystem, Technology, Jobs and the Future of Work, A New Era of Collaboration, and Technology to Feed the World. #CES2019 will also entertain parties, dinners, and innovation awards events throughout the 4-day conference.
If you are going, use CES 2019 as an opportunity to express your individuality and still invite a fun, professional & confident visual presentation.
Here are six inspirational style guides for #CES2019. 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 jeans rather than dresses or trousers, 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.
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 six fashion-forward, professionally-polished, yet versatile looks for #CES2019.
The first look is a modern, fitted, black suit paired with a complementary relaxed-fit, bow-neck, print blouse and accessorized by eye-catching, jeweled, chain link, hoop earrings; an Apple Series 4 watch; black, snake-embossed, low-heeled pumps or optional on-trend, low-heeled, white booties; plus a roomy, multi-strap, leather bag for ease of movement throughout the day.
Suistudio Jacket / Suistudio Pants / Anthropologie Earrings / H&M Top / Apple Watch / Tory Burch Bag / Summit by White Mountain Booties / Marc Fisher Pumps
The second look is a contemporary, versatile, dark gray suit paired with a marled gray/white, textured dress shirt. Accessories include a houndstooth check, silk tie in coal gray; a complementary, print pocket square; double monk strap, black, leather, dress shoes; and a sleek, organizational-friendly briefcase.
Suitsupply Jacket / Suitsupply Pants / J.Crew Shirt / J.Crew Tie / Eton Pocket Square / Tumi Briefcase / Allen Edmonds Shoes
The third look features a lively, chevron print, belted, midi-length dress styled with minimalistic, wide, mid-size, gold, hoop earrings; a limited-edition, open sphere ring; a luxurious, structured, leather, multi-strap, satchel bag; and classic, knee-high, black, suede boots with a sturdy heel or comfy, flat, leather loafers.
Michael Michael Kors Dress / Jenny Bird Earrings / The Accessory Junkie Ring / Mulberry Bag / Sam Edelman Boots / Sam Edelman Loafers
The fourth look features a luxe, brown, plaid, sports coat layered over a fresh, non-iron, white, dress shirt and navy blue, flat front trouser pants. Accessories include a minimalistic, black, leather belt; a refined cognac/black/gunmetal watch with smart technology; and classic, black, leather Chelsea boots. Swap the trousers for jeans, as preferred.
L.B.M 1911 Sport Coat / Nordstrom Men’s Shop Shirt / Nordstrom Men’s Shop Belt / Ted Baker London Trousers / Movado Watch / Hugo Boss Boots
The fifth look is a simple, lightweight, blue, knit sweater paired with on-trend, high-waist, tie-belt, paper bag pants in classic black accessorized by a charming, diamond-triangle, dangle necklace; a handy, versatile Fitbit luxe watch (see Mobile Mob for more info); a stylish, hands-free, organizational-friendly, multi-strap, leather backpack/bag; plus classic Chelsea boots or comfy, colorful sneakers. Swap the trouser pants for a skirt or denim jeans, as preferred.
H&M Sweater / Dana Rebecca Designs Necklace / Senreve Bag / Fitbit Watch / H&M Pants / Veja Sneakers / Steve Madden Boots
The sixth look features a casual, flattering, plaid, flannel, sport shirt styled with versatile, wrinkle-free, gray, chino pants and accessorized by a spacious, durable, deluxe, leather backpack; and comfy, complementary, vintage-style, leather chukka boots or gray, leather sneakers; plus an optional, cozy, soft, puffer, bomber jacket in gray to accommodate varying temperatures.
Nordstrom Men’s Shop Shirt / Robert Barakett Jacket / Nordstrom Men’s Shop Pants / Tumi Backpack / Cole Haan Sneakers / Clarks Boots
Credits: Featured image courtesy of CTA/CES. CES visual style guides created by Corporate Fashionista.