Help Interpret this dress code...

CaniacMom

I am traveling to a sales conference for my company and I am the only female sales rep out of 71 attendees.  Obviously they wrote these requirements around the men.  What would you take to dress for this?  I have a black pants suit that I was thinking of taking - it travels well and is fairly stylish - just got make sure it still fits.

Gala Dinner

Business Attire (Jacket, no tie) &  White Company shirt you received  (which we will receive when we arrive - I hope they ordered a ladies one for me or it will not fit)

Other sessions are business casual which for us is khaki's and company polo shirts.  I will probably do better than that and where slacks with nice sweaters or something.

RoxyLynn

I think a black pants suit is a great idea.  Maybe a white button-down and some great jewelry, or a scarf in company colors, in case they don't have a company shirt for you?

EastCoastBride

RoxyLynn:

I think a black pants suit is a great idea.  Maybe a white button-down and some great jewelry, or a scarf in company colors, in case they don't have a company shirt for you?

Ditto! 

nrb4576

can't go wrong with a black suit!

KathrynMD

OT - why is there a dress code for a conference?  I have never heard of this? 

CaniacMom

KathrynMD:

OT - why is there a dress code for a conference?  I have never heard of this? 

 I am not sure why they stated a dress code-  it could be because our company is International and this perhaps clears up questions as to how we should dress. 

NYBrideInWI

I agree with PP to bring your own white shirt in case they didn't order a women's shirt for you, and your black suit sounds good. I might bring a knee-length black dress too, because I think it would be appropriate to wear in place of the company-issued shirt if they didn't order you one that fits. You will look sloppy and unprofessional if you have to wear an oversized men's shirt. 

If your suit doesn't fit then you could also wear a plain black skirt or black dress pants with the white shirt, no jacket. (to save yourself from buying a new suit if you don't wear one often) And accessorize in with something that is "your style".

Have fun! 

CaniacMom

Thanks everyone for the advice.  I am always so unsure of myself when it comes to things like this.

I was so worried about making sure the title of my thread was not one of those that made you think I was one of those spammers with links to the icky looking clothes.

AZ123

Ha ha! I thought it was one of the links for the dumb dresses!

I think pants with a top and cardigan for the sesssions for sure. No suit jacket.

My only bit of advice is to dress the part you want to play. So looking put together, with nice makeup, no wrinkles, nice shoes will get you really far. I also always prefer to be over dressed than under dressed.

AZ123

I also wouldn't do any skirts to even out the playing field with all men.

526SadieSadie

You can't go wrong with black.  Is there someone you can check with to see if they ordered a ladies shirt for you?