What are you going to wear? Sometimes there’s an easy answer. Sometimes not. Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. This one was submitted by our “style newbie”, Christian, who started his writing career in the gaming industry. With access to events like the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Comic Con, Tokyo Game Show, and more, he picked up how to look good, but still blend in at these things. His outfit balances casual + comfort, and is intended for those days on the job when you’re waiting in line, standing, and searching for a place to sit (any place to sit) among the hordes.
The Sweater: Jcrew Factory Striped Crew Neck – $40ish (when on sale). At these trade shows the air conditioner will be blasting non-stop to accommodate the three to five thousand people that are going to be walking in and out of the conference halls. A sweater is generally the best option since it won’t be too heavy and hot, even when layered with a shirt, and you won’t be walking around wishing you had something to keep that chill off. Yes, there are thousands of people, but the second you stop moving (anytime you decide to wait in line) you will notice immediately how cold it is. This navy striped sweater has a great casual look that can be dressed up a bit with a nice blazer and a solid pair of denim.
The Pants: Dockers Alpha Cords – $54.00 ($68). Slim, so be careful if you’ve got thicker legs. Soft to the touch, and won’t chafe when sitting with your legs crossed. It’s one of the best pairs of pants you can decide to bring to a convention.
The Shirt: Topman Navy OCBD – $50.00. – Honestly, wearing any button up shirt will have you stand out. There’s a lot of tees and costumes. So why not go with a collared shirt in a saturated navy? This option from Topman is 100% cotton, ships and also returns free. You can splurge and get something from TaylorStitch or, maybe find something cheaper than the Topman on sale at GAP.
The Shoes: Cole Haan Lunargrand – $248.00 / Skechers Embolden – $69.00
The Watch: Timex Weekender – $35-$45ish. – Really any watch of any make or model. Doesn’t have to be the Timex. Something durable is always better, but the watch is really more so for the sake of your phone battery. Constantly pulling it out to see what time it is will destroy any life in your phone before your first two hour wait in line is over. Keep that thing put away so you can take pictures, and get an affordable watch. Timex is always great and easy to work with. Go with a Weekender and get some new watch bands for customization. It’s an incredibly solid watch brand that you trust and they’re constantly showing up on Groupon and Woot for dirt cheap.
The Bag: Everlane Canvas & Leather Backpack – $65.00. “HOLD ON CHRISTIAN! I thought you loved totes?” I sure do, but a backpack really works here. Everlane has been on my radar for a little bit now and this reverse denim backpack is going to be an upcoming purchase for me and soon. Great color, stylish, and has plenty of space to hold all of the XXL shirts that they’ll be throwing at you during the convention.
The Suggestion: Bring & use hand sanitizer
Interesting. …don’t think ill ever go to one of these things, but good to be prepared I guess
the picks lean quite casual/youthful, but so do the conventions listed in the intro. they would also do well on a college campus.
I would disagree with the backpack – with all of the crowds people with backpacks full of loot cause all sorts of damage. I switched to a messenger bag years ago at these things to reduce the mayhem I created.
Otherwise good list. A shirt with buttons tends to make you stand out as one of the guys with a real job (i.e. money to spend) and tends to get much more attention as a result. A the floors are frequently concrete so something with some good cushioning is a must, I have some suede Rockports I thrifted I use for these..
This color combo is too aggressive for me. The blue seems more royal than navy, and those pants are yellow. To each his own though.
I can’t seem to get on the dark color button-down shirt wagon. The cords are fine though, only looks yellow in the photo – it’s more of a (quite nice) light/goldish brown color if you click through.
I did click through, I don’t particularly care for the color. They look mustard yellow to me, and I don’t think they are flattering.
I mean I like the idea of the outfit, I just don’t love the color choices. Take off the sweater, and the outfit looks awfully matchy-matchy between the shoes and shirt. I think if the colors was toned down, it would look a lot better.
Pants: go with something stone, khaki, british khaki (or even jeans)
http://us.dockers.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11593623&locale=en_US&clickid=prod_cs
Shirt: White or light blue OCBD
Sweater: is a great choice for visual depth, pattern, color
Shoes: keep them the same or go with something similar in brown
Classic colors are classic for a reason. They work!
I think poplin fabrics are better than oxfords for dark shirts like these. Massimo Dutti makes a nice navy poplin for not a lot more.
I’d have trouble wearing this color combo, too Calder for me
I’m with you. A little young for me too, but Christian and I aren’t the same age. I think it’s a great setup for the right person (but, I’m biased of course)
That’s hilarious. I am literally leaving for Youmacon in Detroit tomorrow. Running a couple panels, so I’ve got to look good.
Flying in a day early and leaving a day late, so I’m packing more neutral colors than above so that I’ll be able to mix-and-match and get a couple days’ use out of a few items without looking like the dude who’s still wearing Friday’s outfit on Sunday. Pair of dark jeans, pair of dark olive cords, gray v-neck sweater, winter-weight plaid buttonup, couple of lighter-weight buttonups suitable for layering. The con is spread over two buildings and it’s slated to be cold as hell out so layering is going to be a must. Medium-weight wool navy sportcoat for short hops between buildings, toasty-warm gray wool peacoat in case we wind up walking downtown for dinner one night like last year.
Going to a fancy business dinner Friday night, so packing my slick brown Allen Edmonds wingtips and a tie. Otherwise, my go-to shoes will be my navy 1901 beater wingtips with the luxurious insole padding for maximum comfort. I live in the desert so sadly I don’t own any dress boots, desert boots, or other suitable cold-weather shoes, and money’s too tight to go shopping for them on the quick (although I’ll be keeping my eyes out for sales so that I’ll have a pair for next year).
I’m eschewing the backpack, I’ve got a brown Fossil leather-and-canvas briefcase with a shoulder strap so that it can function like a messenger bag if I need it to. Little less bulky than your typical backpack, should have plenty of room for swag and to stuff my sweater into if it gets too warm for it indoors.
My Everlane bag began to tear around the large metal eyelets on the flap only after 45 days or so of normal use. They’ve offered to replace it, but I don’t see the sense in doing so if the problem still exists. Otherwise, yeah, it holds stuff.
Funny. Having spent years in the commercial real estate finance and equity world and having gone to a hundred “conferences” they are among the worst dressed places in the world.
I’ll echo some of the other comments here.
I’m really not a fan of the mustard yellow pants and dark OCBD; I think they clash with the sweater (which I *am* a fan of). I’d swap the pants for something in a lighter acorn or khaki flavor, and swap the royal OCBD for an oxford blue or white one.
Swap the backpack for a messenger bag.
I have a pair of those Sketchers Emboldens in navy suede, and they’re great.
Go as Agent 47. You get cosplay and dress up in a nice suit.
I’m a Comic Con goer myself. Rather than a crew neck sweater I go with a cardigan or light jacket. Temperatures can wildly vary between the different rooms and going outside the convention altogether so I prefer a little more control over how warm I’m going to be. Also, taking it off won’t mess with my hair.
It’s touched on in the watch paragraph but bring an external battery and charger for your phone as well.
you live in the desert and don’t own desert boots???
Ha ha, sounds pretty funny when you put it like that, doesn’t it?
Two sets of shoe arches/insoles help. One padded and one with a nice hard arch(I like rei’s/nordstrom’s superfeet). I switched between them a couple times at SDCC.
Some lines go out onto grass, wouldn’t want to sit on the pants pictures above for a couple hours…
The watch is a good suggestion I didn’t even think of, thanks!
I like all but the mime sweater.
Anyone have experience with Topman OCBD’s? I prefer a softer feel to the material, such as LEC. Gap’s feel too rough and cheap for my liking.
As someone who has gone to more cons and worked more cons than any person ever should. Insoles, insoles, insoles…and that doesn’t mean crappy Dr. Schols, invest in some Sol, Spenco or Superfeet insoles and the ones you use are different depending if you are working the con (standing in a booth for 8 hours plus setup/tear down) or walking the floor. Make sure your shoes fit with room, because your feet will swell. I recommend messenger or sling bags, because your can pull them around in front of you without taking them off (many times you wont have the space to take off a backpack). Dress in layers, main floors will be hot due to all the people, but walkways and leaving can be very cold. I don’t usually use antiperspirant, but if you wear a button up shirt, you will need it. Alternatively, I have found that sport compression undershirts are good for temperature regulation and moisture. Also, don’t wear cotton underwear, ex-officio or sport underwear is required… trust me.