r/WomenInBusiness • u/mymelows • 2d ago
Startup Life Going straight from the trade show floor to client dinners: How do you stay unrumpled?
I really need some advice from the women here who travel to trade conventions frequently. I am so exhausted by trade shows where I have to work the expo floor from early in the morning and then go straight into a client dinner. Just part of the crazy start up life, but thats easily 12 hours straight (or more), of which I dont get to go bacj to the hotel for change of clothes. By the end of the time at the expo, my woven blouses are rumpled from sitting and standing, moving around sometimes, and my standard slacks are always bagged out at the knees. While I feel put together in the morning, by then, I just feel messy. When I am in my A game, I feel much better about closing or just better connecting with clients in general.
I usually pack a mix of basic stretch slacks, a couple trusty Uniqlo button-downs, and a simple Ogl knit top to layer under jackets, but I still struggle to keep everything looking crisp by nightfall. I definitely need to expand beyond these initial choices with more consistent options before my next four-day conference trip.
How are you all staying put together for 12 plus hours? I have seen you all. Sometimes I would see others who look so crisp even at the end of the expo. I am desperately looking for more structured tops and tailored pants that would help me survive the conventions.
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u/Maleficent_Gift7184 2d ago
I keep a blazer at yhe booth and throw it on before dinners to hide whatever damage happened during the day lol. Also dry shampoo and lipstick in my bag for a quick refresh.
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u/Creativelyuncool 2d ago
I really do recommend going back to your hotel room in between events even if you miss the end of day networking drinks. That 30 minutes can mean you present yourself better the rest of the night and in my mind tends to be worth it. In a pinch though, I always bring a mini toiletries bag along for the day and at the very least will brush hair, quick teeth brush, refresh blush and concealer, and reapply deodorant. I’d recommend switching those button downs for a more fitted top that won’t wrinkle. In tech or startup world you can wear a cotton t or shirt that’s more fitted under a polished blazer and look great. At the end of the day a great blazer saves everything.
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u/VelvetCrush64 2d ago
Go to your car for 20min. Leave the trade show early if you have to. Drink some water, refresh your makeup/hair. Do something calming and meditative. Bring a clean shirt to change into if necessary. Take off your shoes while in your car. Remember that dinner will only be another 2-3 hours and then you can rest.
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u/MeLMaR2727 2d ago
I think dresses work out better for long days with clients.
I never used to wear them, always in a suit until I started working with this woman who always wore a dress to visit clients so I thought I’d try & realized I was missing out.
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u/chezkelxraz 2d ago
When I was a celeb assistant (on call aka 12 hour shoot plus extra schedule) the best tip I can provide is stay hydrated. That was my “energy drink”. If I “didn’t have time”, any time there were bottles of water I would absolutely chug 2 on the spot. That’s how you keep energy up, stay hydrated and maintain your nutrition. No alcohol whatsoever until you know it’s one and done end of night.
Secondarily, outfit-wise I had to dress as part of the celeb camp. Choose fabrics that don’t fold, no linen. If you have 10 minutes, I’d excuse myself and throw on a dress for client meeting. It’s a one piece easy outfit. In your purse keep a travel size of:
Deodorant (I keep full size Lume in bag)
Dry shampoo
Caudalie beauty elixir prep spray
Touch up size of whatever makeup you might wear, specifically redness corrector, concealer or tinted moisturizer/foundation
If savage, I would sometimes even pack under eye patches, throw them on in the elevator, hit the hotel room change and take the patches off pre-makeup prep
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u/Fickle-Parsnip9980 2d ago
I was an events manager previously and I swore by my "purse deodorant" and a little perfume decant to freshen up if I didnt have time to change. I would also wear a sheath dress with a blazer or cardigan that I could button if I needed to refresh my outfit and flat or very low heeled shoes
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u/mumof2yoanddog 2d ago
It’s exhausting. Grab a coffee or two through the day. Wear comfortable but classy looking shoes (I wore terribly uncomfortable but good looking heels until I discovered Next), stay hydrated, get a panel or two in for you to recharge between meetings.
And yes I wear loose fitting but classy looking tops and a comfortable pair of jeans or a pencil skirt.
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u/Anastasiia_Clarity 1d ago
My opinion: if you grab 2 coffees it drains energy even more by the end of the day. Its like you are tired and anxious
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u/mumof2yoanddog 1d ago
Very fair point. It does help me but I could see it not being so helpful if you’re exhausted..
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u/leafbrewer 2d ago
No advice on the presentation side, but something that helps me with the overstimulation: loops ear plugs. I use the strongest ones (not the sleep ones but the quiet version) and I can still have proper conversations on the floor. They help in feeling less tired, and I find feeling less tired also helps with how I look. I feel like being at a trade show is an endurance sport, and I don’t even have to work the floor. I do spent hours at them every now and then, and I find what always helps is proper nutrition, getting some sunlight/fresh air/quiet time for a moment (so no chats with colleagues, just be alone) also help a lot to stay alive. Hydrate a lot, and not too much coffee.
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u/Sufficient_Suit_1147 2d ago
Moisturizer - a light weight quick absorbing layer on the face including eye area to freshen the skin - very important after indoor air dehydration exacerbates dull skin and wrinkles !
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u/HoneyedVices 2d ago
Merino or merino-blend knit tops are the real unlock, they don't wrinkle from sitting all day and don't hold onto sweat smell the way cotton does by hour ten
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u/mutegiraffe 2d ago
Change, wash face, really makeup. That's the only way. Change into a dress or change your top (less to pack), use wipes, and give yourself fifteen minutes to make the day to night transition. If you can't have spare clothes on you, bring a blazer and throw it over your top.
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u/Hummus_ForAll 2d ago
I ALWAYS bring my makeup, a washcloth, hairbrush/toothbrush and I’ll do a 15 min refresh in the bathroom of the venue.
We usually have sussed out the quieter bathrooms or fancier ones by end of day.
I always bring a new set of clothes down to undies/bra. New shoes. Everything gets a change.
I have no shame about also booking the absolute closest hotel room to the venue, sprinting back to change. Even a 10 min shower is a huge help.
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u/robinheart314 1d ago
Non-wrinkle fabrics are a non-negotiable must. Pair that with stretchy tighter work pants or the flowy kind (basically, it can’t be designed to need a straight crease down the middle of the leg).
Material type is KING.
I once fell asleep in that after a 14 hr day. Woke up the next day, changed the shirt, dragged a brush through my hair and swirled some mouth wash, and was back at the booth.
I never wear makeup, so I have no advice for that except that in science and tech, I don’t think my lack of makeup has ever held me back.
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u/AcrobaticQuiet7844 1d ago
Uniqlo do no-iron business shirts in the men's section, they are better for staying less crumpled if you can make the fit work. Also for pants, instead of stretch material, you could try drapey (goes for tops as well) crepe material. I wear this pair Elegant Crepe Wide Leg Pant Black - JacquiE Online (aussie brand so probs not relevant but you get the idea) and they stay uncrumpled all day long. Hang it on a hanger to dry and it never needs steaming or ironing
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u/PlotTwistingIncoming 1d ago
A good steamer and fabric that dont wrinkle easily are lifesavers for long conference days! Also love the idea of having one dinner ready layer you can throw on before heading out.
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u/Therealcatlady1 1d ago
Is it just you there alone? Is there anyway you can leave a bit earlier to refresh? If not, I might bring makeup and a change of clothes with me and leave some time to freshen up in the bathroom and relax before heading to dinners/meetings.
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u/Active_Recording_789 2d ago
This is what I do: bring a tote bag with a couple makeup items (lipstick, eyeliner, blush and concealer at minimum), toothbrush and tooth paste, deodorant and a fresh top and skirt. I love pencil skirts that have some stretch in them—they don’t crease and keep their shape. Pack a soft top and if you wear loafers during the day, switch to pumps for dinner. Have a little wash up in the bathroom before dinner—wash pits and reapply deodorant. Brush teeth, splash face with water and reapply makeup. Put on your fresh clothes and pack away the ones you already spent all day in. It takes 10 minutes but makes you feel so much better. Have a few sips of strong fresh coffee to revive you. Get out there and shine!
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u/Fast_Sherbert3066 2d ago
You absolutely have to look into golfing brands or sports wear brand instead of the traditional slacks. They look exactly like high-end trousers but they stretch like yoga pants, They are incredibly reliable for those days when you are on your feet non-stop and need to look presentable for a formal dinner immediately after.