What to Wear to a Trade Show

If you’re an exhibitor, it’s generally recommended to wear smart business attire to trade shows, or to reflect your industry as well as you can through your attire. If you’re a trade show visitor, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing, as you’ll be moving around a lot.

DOS AND DON’TS

Here are some simple dos and don’ts regarding what to wear to a trade show as an exhibitor:

WHAT TO WEAR AT B2B TRADE SHOWS

Generally, smart business attire is the most appropriate dress for a B2B trade show. The overall look for your trade show should be approachable while maintaining a level of professionalism.

You are there to represent your company, so you need to look presentable. Consider wearing a suit or sports jacket with chinos for men and a dress, skirt or smart trousers with a matching jacket for women. To bring more uniformity to your stand, if staff are wearing shirts and ties, make sure they are the same colour.

However, don’t forget that you will be on your feet all day, so comfort is paramount. Choose clothes that aren’t too tight or ill-fitting, and make sure you wear comfortable shoes – a trade show is not the time to be sporting a brand-new pair. Men should wear polished leather shoes and women should wear smart, conservatively coloured, shoes, without high heels.

All your clothing should be perfectly prepared for the trade show and look absolutely spotless. This means that trousers should be pressed, shoes should be polished, and shirts must be ironed.

Don’t wear anything that is too bright or eye-catching – a B2B trade show is not the place for a jazzy tie or loud shirt.

Jewellery should be minimal and elegant. Ensure any tattoos or body piercings are covered or removed. Company branded name badges are a good addition, these make staff more approachable and may even help visitors remember them.

If your trade show attire requires heels or dress shoes, it can be a good idea to bring a pair of comfortable trainers with you. During breaks from your booth, you can change out your formal footwear into more comfortable shoes. Having a spare pair of comfortable shoes is a lifesaver at the end of the day, they make walking off the trade show floor and back to your hotel far more bearable.

WHAT TO WEAR AT B2C TRADE SHOWS

B2C trade shows are generally more casual affaires, so suits may not be appropriate.  Consider dressing staff in company branded polo shirts or uniforms. This will give a sense of identity and uniformity to your stand.

Bear in mind, you do not want to go overboard with your branding, as it can come off as tasteless. Having an easily visible but subtle logo sewn on your shirts is perfect.

CONSIDERATIONS

REFLECT YOUR INDUSTRY

When you plan your outfits for a trade show, consider the overall feel of the industry you work for. You don’t want to overdress for a casual industry or vice versa. Are jeans okay for a meeting? Then you can probably pack a smart pair of jeans. However, if you’re attending a legal conference, a suit will be more appropriate.

If it’s a tech conference, opt for something business casual in order to stay comfortable throughout the day. You want to make sure you’re dressing to fit in with your niche. This makes you more approachable and leaves a better first impression. Of course, if you’re attending Comic Con and really want to make an impression, dress as a storm trooper or Optimus Prime – you’ll certainly draw the crowds!

CONSIDER HYGIENE

Working the trade show floor may not seem like it could make you build up a sweat, however standing all day dressed in professional attire takes its toll. Make sure that you shower every day before you hit the show floor.

It is also a good idea to bring deodorant, mints, haircare essentials and other travel sized personal hygiene products with you to your booth; you never know when you will need to freshen up. Also, you want to smell nice for your trade show booth visitors, but you should not go overboard with perfumes and fragrances as too much can be a turn off.

CONCLUSION

What to wear to a trade show can be a tricky subject for companies to deal with during trade show season. Faith is put into trade show staff to reflect your company in the best way possible.

Through some careful considerations, including the industry you operate in and overall hygiene, you should have no issues preparing what you’ll be wearing at your next trade show.

If you need help planning your next trade show, contact us on 01202 723 500 or email design@quadrant2design.com.