Dress for Conferences

[TheBoneDoctah]

Is a suit required for conferences?

I have an upcoming poster presentation and a podium/oral presentation and am not sure if a suit is needed, or if I can wear nice shirt, tie, slacks, etc.

Thanks.

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[Forever Geebs]

Suit and tie. Look good. Feel good.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

yes

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Is a suit required for conferences?

I have an upcoming poster presentation and a podium/oral presentation and am not sure if a suit is needed, or if I can wear nice shirt, tie, slacks, etc.

Thanks.

If you’re a student then yes.


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[TheBoneDoctah]

Sounds good. Thank you everyone. @OrthoTraumaMD @Forever Geebs

 

[LoGo]

Is a suit required for conferences?

I have an upcoming poster presentation and a podium/oral presentation and am not sure if a suit is needed, or if I can wear nice shirt, tie, slacks, etc.

Thanks.

Doesn’t matter if you are a student, resident, attending etc - don’t ever wear a shirt and tie without a jacket, no matter what event you are attending, or even if it’s just any other day in the job. If the occasion calls for a tie, it calls for a jacket.

Also, don’t wear a suit without a tie. You may only go without tie if you are wearing a sport jacket, I.e. jacket is different from the pants.

For a conference though, if you’re presenting then dress up a bit. If it’s in a hot location then feel free to go with the sport jacket no tie look.

 

[ortnakas]

Doesn’t matter if you are a student, resident, attending etc - don’t ever wear a shirt and tie without a jacket, no matter what event you are attending, or even if it’s just any other day in the job. If the occasion calls for a tie, it calls for a jacket.

Also, don’t wear a suit without a tie. You may only go without tie if you are wearing a sport jacket, I.e. jacket is different from the pants.

For a conference though, if you’re presenting then dress up a bit. If it’s in a hot location then feel free to go with the sport jacket no tie look.

Honest question (I’m a female I don’t wear ties)— is this a “rule”? No tie if you’re not also in a jacket? I feel like I see button down + tie + no jacket all of the time everywhere including school, hospitals, meetings, etc. Had no idea it was a faux pas.

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Honest question (I’m a female I don’t wear ties)— is this a “rule”? No tie if you’re not also in a jacket? I feel like I see button down + tie + no jacket all of the time everywhere including school, hospitals, meetings, etc. Had no idea it was a faux pas.

I see it all the time too. But ortho conferences are notorious for being casual


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[Newyawk]

Doesn’t matter if you are a student, resident, attending etc - don’t ever wear a shirt and tie without a jacket, no matter what event you are attending, or even if it’s just any other day in the job. If the occasion calls for a tie, it calls for a jacket.

Also, don’t wear a suit without a tie. You may only go without tie if you are wearing a sport jacket, I.e. jacket is different from the pants.

For a conference though, if you’re presenting then dress up a bit. If it’s in a hot location then feel free to go with the sport jacket no tie look.

False

 

[Espressso]

There's nothing "wrong" with the tie no jacket look, but you'll feel much more comfortable and confident if you just wear the jacket too.

Look good, feel good, perform good

 

[LoGo]

I see it all the time too. But ortho conferences are notorious for being casual


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Probably combo of casual, tired, and just not caring. At least for ortho men - I’ve seen very few well put together male orthopods once residency is done with them.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a tie without a jacket.

Sure, if you are a 12 year old at your brothers graduation. Really why wouldn’t you wear a jacket if you’ve gone as far to have the effort to wear a shirt and tie? I think the only time it’s OK is if you wore a jacket, then took off the jacket for a lunch (which still shouldn’t be necessary) or having a glass of bourbon while playing pool.

False

Feel free to do it anyway, but it’s not what is generally recommended for proper men’s style - most will view it as “unfinished.” Invest in a good suit or jacket and I assure you will have a preference towards having it on anyway.

For a conference this really doesn’t get complicated: if you want to be seen as mature and professional, just wear the jacket.

 

[LoGo]

Honest question (I’m a female I don’t wear ties)— is this a “rule”? No tie if you’re not also in a jacket? I feel like I see button down + tie + no jacket all of the time everywhere including school, hospitals, meetings, etc. Had no idea it was a faux pas.

It’s a faux pas. Medical people are probably more prone to the error because so few have been exposed to proper business dress before med school or their first real job as an attending. That’s why the classic gastroenterologist outfit is a half tucked baggy shirt, and dark pants with a skid of god knows what down the front left thigh.

 

[ortnakas]

It’s a faux pas. Medical people are probably more prone to the error because so few have been exposed to proper business dress before med school or their first real job as an attending. That’s why the classic gastroenterologist outfit is a half tucked baggy shirt, and dark pants with a skid of god knows what down the front left thigh.

Interesting. I go to one of the schools with a dress code so for guys in my class button down + tie sans jacket is the " uniform." Seems generally accepted in medicine, but it's interesting to learn that it's not actually "proper."

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Probably combo of casual, tired, and just not caring. At least for ortho men - I’ve seen very few well put together male orthopods once residency is done with them.



Sure, if you are a 12 year old at your brothers graduation. Really why wouldn’t you wear a jacket if you’ve gone as far to have the effort to wear a shirt and tie? I think the only time it’s OK is if you wore a jacket, then took off the jacket for a lunch (which still shouldn’t be necessary) or having a glass of bourbon while playing pool.



Feel free to do it anyway, but it’s not what is generally recommended for proper men’s style - most will view it as “unfinished.” Invest in a good suit or jacket and I assure you will have a preference towards having it on anyway.

For a conference this really doesn’t get complicated: if you want to be seen as mature and professional, just wear the jacket.

So as someone who regularly presents at these conferences, I can tell you that jeans and a sportcoat is the norm.


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[Candidate2017]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a tie without a jacket.

Especially if you're selling appliances or used cars or draining an abscess. Otherwise that tie needs to be worn with a suit jacket, sports coat, white coat or sweater.

 

[LoGo]

So as someone who regularly presents at these conferences, I can tell you that jeans and a sportcoat is the norm.


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That’s also what I’ve seen at MSK and tech conferences over the past 10+ years as well. Went to one derm one and the guys and gals were all fully done up. Guess you need to know your audience haha.

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

That’s also what I’ve seen at MSK and tech conferences over the past 10+ years as well. Went to one derm one and the guys and gals were all fully done up. Guess you need to know your audience haha.

True. But even at ours, students are always in suits. You gotta earn the jeans/sportcoat look, haha.


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[Stagg737]

Honest question (I’m a female I don’t wear ties)— is this a “rule”? No tie if you’re not also in a jacket? I feel like I see button down + tie + no jacket all of the time everywhere including school, hospitals, meetings, etc. Had no idea it was a faux pas.

It's somewhat of a BS faux pas/custom that I personally think is complete crap. The general argument is that if you're going somewhere that requires you to wear a tie, it's probably upscale enough to require a suit or jacket as well. So if you're going to some sort of event that requires a tie like presenting at a medical conference, then yes, you should generally be wearing some form of jacket or coat with it to have a finished look. If you're required to wear a tie to work or school as a mandatory thing, then I think the whole "you should be wearing a jacket" argument falls apart. I never saw the point in wearing a jacket when I plan on literally taking it off for the entire day and not wearing it unless it's cold enough outside to warrant wearing one. Even then I usually pick something warmer over a sport coat.

I'll also add that generally speaking when I have to wear a tie but don't wear a coat, I roll my sleeves to give a more casual look since laid back is more my style anyway. If an event is formal enough that something like that wouldn't fly, then it's likely formal enough that a coat is required anyway. When I say rolled sleeves, I'm talking just at the forearm like the following, not all the way up:

 

[LoGo]

It's somewhat of a BS faux pas/custom that I personally think is complete crap. The general argument is that if you're going somewhere that requires you to wear a tie, it's probably upscale enough to require a suit or jacket as well. So if you're going to some sort of event that requires a tie like presenting at a medical conference, then yes, you should generally be wearing some form of jacket or coat with it to have a finished look. If you're required to wear a tie to work or school as a mandatory thing, then I think the whole "you should be wearing a jacket" argument falls apart. I never saw the point in wearing a jacket when I plan on literally taking it off for the entire day and not wearing it unless it's cold enough outside to warrant wearing one. Even then I usually pick something warmer over a sport coat.

I'll also add that generally speaking when I have to wear a tie but don't wear a coat, I roll my sleeves to give a more casual look since laid back is more my style anyway. If an event is formal enough that something like that wouldn't fly, then it's likely formal enough that a coat is required anyway. When I say rolled sleeves, I'm talking just at the forearm like the following, not all the way up:

So it’s agreed that this photo would not work for a conference (I.e. there should be a jacket), but I’m just not sure what occasion would call for this look - like when would you (a) feel the occasion is formal enough to warrant a tie, but (b) casual enough that you don’t need a jacket and can roll up the sleeves? The recommendation would be to ditch the tie in this case.

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

i'm currently at a conference in europe. its hilarious how different the accepted dress code is from american conferences

jeans with button up, sleeves rolled up, no jacket
jeans with jacket
chino pants with/without jacket
saw a dude in shorts and a jacket

pretty great how casual it is, wish american conferences would adopt this

 

[Stagg737]

So it’s agreed that this photo would not work for a conference (I.e. there should be a jacket), but I’m just not sure what occasion would call for this look - like when would you (a) feel the occasion is formal enough to warrant a tie, but (b) casual enough that you don’t need a jacket and can roll up the sleeves? The recommendation would be to ditch the tie in this case.

For a conference or anything where you're trying to present yourself as an expert in anything, I'd say suit every time. I'd even go so far as to say that a sport coat and tie is too casual. Unless of course your such a leading expert in the field that literally everyone knows and listens to you, then you can wear whatever your want.

To your second question, I'd say smart casual/business casual fits, as the tie is more of an accent piece like cufflinks or a pocket square would be for more formal events. Stuff like wedding receptions, more "formal" family dinners, casual business dinners, or in our case a day in the clinic or classroom if there's a dress code. Imo, the point of the rolled sleeves with the tie allows you to meet the dress code while maintaining a more casual look, it's fine for events where business and fun are mixed (aka the cocktail party after the conference), but not the purely business related setting (ie the conference itself). I'll also add that I'm not really a fan of ties and generally avoid wearing them if at all possible, but I also realize that many people don't share that view.

As to the original question, med student presenting at a professional conference, suit and tie every time.

 

[mistafab]

I’m a lowly M2 (starting m3 in a week) but if I ever present anything at a conference, even at the level of a poster, I always go full suit.

However, if I am not presenting, screw the jacket! No presentation = just there to learn and drink beer afterwards with some nerds.

 

[zero0]

I'm at Experimental Biology in San Diego rn and I can safely tell you 3 piece suit would be overdressed, maybe that's because it's San Diego. Business casual seems to be the norm here.

 

[michaelrack]

For psychiatry and sleep medicine, only shoes and a shirt are necessary at conferences (and pants obviously, not shorts)

 

[evilbooyaa]

For most conferences, during your presentation, you want to wear a suit.

I think the principle of "if you're wearing a tie, wear a jacket" is unnecessary. I think ties are frequently unnecessary, but if I'm at a professional meeting, on non-presenting days I'm going to likely wear a tie, no suit jacket. Or maybe when I give less of af, shirt without a tie.

 

[Oso]

Suit and tie. Look good. Feel good.

I typically just wear a tux to these things. Here's a pic of me at one a few months ago, someone just walked up at handed me a martini because I looked so good -- can't argue with that

 

[Forever Geebs]

I typically just wear a tux to these things. Here's a pic of me at one a few months ago, someone just walked up at handed me a martini because I looked so good -- can't argue with that


View attachment 232573

Oh, you fancy, Mr. Bond!


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[Donald Juan]

I'm at Experimental Biology in San Diego rn and I can safely tell you 3 piece suit would be overdressed, maybe that's because it's San Diego. Business casual seems to be the norm here.

The biology conferences I attended in undergrad were much more casual than the MD-centric conferences I've been to.

 

[Snoopy2006]

It's somewhat of a BS faux pas/custom that I personally think is complete crap. The general argument is that if you're going somewhere that requires you to wear a tie, it's probably upscale enough to require a suit or jacket as well. So if you're going to some sort of event that requires a tie like presenting at a medical conference, then yes, you should generally be wearing some form of jacket or coat with it to have a finished look. If you're required to wear a tie to work or school as a mandatory thing, then I think the whole "you should be wearing a jacket" argument falls apart. I never saw the point in wearing a jacket when I plan on literally taking it off for the entire day and not wearing it unless it's cold enough outside to warrant wearing one. Even then I usually pick something warmer over a sport coat.

I'll also add that generally speaking when I have to wear a tie but don't wear a coat, I roll my sleeves to give a more casual look since laid back is more my style anyway. If an event is formal enough that something like that wouldn't fly, then it's likely formal enough that a coat is required anyway. When I say rolled sleeves, I'm talking just at the forearm like the following, not all the way up:

I agree. Out of the list of many faux pas I see doctors make, this is far down on the list. Yes, it's generally frowned on in the 'fashion world' and many business communities. In the world of medicine, it is so common I wouldn't even consider it a faux pas to be honest. I've even had old school attendings (a small number of crotchety old men) who thought med students who showed up without a tie and an open collar were less professional than those who wore ties.

It's a faux pas in the fashion world but not well known in our community, which is really what matters to most people. At conferences I wear a suit or a sportscoat if I'm not presenting. But in clinic, wearing a tie to clinic is fine, don't think twice about it.

Don't wear a jacket and tie into clinic unless you're a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, Mayo doctor, or a tool. If you're going to try to spruce up your fashion mistakes, this should be one of the last battles you face.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I don't know where people here are going to conferences because almost everywhere I've gone to conferences in CA the norm is to wear slacks with a collared shirt without tie. Some people go more casual than this. I would definitely not wear a suit to a conference.

 

[Treebeard]

If I'm giving an oral presentation, definitely suit.

If I'm presenting a poster or just attending, probably button up with sports jacket, with or without tie depending on my mood and who's going to be there.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I see it all the time too. But ortho conferences are notorious for being casual


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As an undergrad, I presented a poster at the AAAS conference, and that thing was casual AF.