Article By: Anish Vedantham
MUN Business Attire is more than just an outfit, it’s a statement. You can present yourself as a cut-throat, willing-to-do-anything powerhouse by wearing red or a down-to-earth and amenable delegate by wearing cooler colors.
General Tips:
Wear Clothes that Fit
No matter how fashion forward you may be, no one will take you seriously if you’re wearing an ill-fitting pantsuit or your dad’s two-sizes-too-big suit jacket. By wearing clothes that fit, but that aren’t so tight that you can barely breathe in them, you’ll give off a proper air of professionalism while also ensuring that you’re relatively comfortable.
Don’t Overpack
Many delegates tend to overpack, packing at least an outfit per day. However, this is generally unnecessary as (1) it’s very easy to mix and match outfits, and (2) almost no one will be able to tell that you reused an outfit. Even if space or budget aren’t concerns for you, the less outfits you have, the more you’ll be able to do with them, so investing in one or two blazers, a couple of blouses or dress shirts, and pants or skirts, and you’ll be travelling light while still looking good.
Wear Color
As mentioned earlier, you can harness color to make you stand out. Whether you’re in a General Assembly committee with more than fifty delegates or a crisis committee with less than twenty, you can’t go wrong with a pop of color. While it’s best not to wear all the colors in the rainbow, wearing a bright colored tie or dress shirt, or a bright colored pantsuit can go a long way in ensuring that you get recognized and sending a subconscious signal to the other delegates and to the Chair.
Keep it Simple
From makeup to necklaces to bracelets, MUN delegates love to show off their style. However, this isn’t always a good thing as makeup can get messed up over time and jewelry can make lots of noise and can harm the image of professionalism that you’re trying to cultivate. Feel free to wear some accessories and makeup, but ensure that they complement, not detract from your outfit.
So… What Should You Wear?
While each conference has its own dress code and might differentiate what it wants you to wear on specific days, in general, here are some item-specific MUN Business Attire guidelines.
Shirts: A crisp white dress shirt always does the trick, but feel free to experiment with other colors. Wearing a dark colored dress shirt is also a great way to command attention from the other delegates.
Blouses: Blouses are a great way to wear colors and patterns, but make sure that the blouse isn’t too low cut or tight, as you’ll be wearing it for the whole day, and it may start to get uncomfortable. Additionally, it’s a good idea to pack a cardigan or blazer to layer in case it gets cold.
Blazers: In some cases, blazers can make or break an outfit. Neutral colors such as navy, black, gray, and camel are all great choices, but a bright colored blazer with an understated blouse or shirt can also do the trick. Blazers are great for combining with different outfits and help keep you warm, especially given that committee rooms tend to be cold. But, most importantly: NEVER button the bottom button.
Pants: Straight pants or suit pants are a great choice for MUN. They work well with almost anything and keep you warm. Sticking to darker colors like navy, black, and gray is advised, but khaki pants can also work if you take care to keep them clean and choose a darker top. Jeans and leggings are too informal for conferences and should be avoided.
Skirts: Skirts should be at around knee-length to ensure professionalism and should be paired with a set of tights underneath. Pencil and A-line skirts are great to mix and match with shirts and blouses and can function perfectly replacing a pair of pants. Different colors of skirts are totally fine and even encouraged, but make sure that the colors are not too vibrant.
Dresses: Wearing a dress is one of the best solutions to conform with what’s expected of you while also being comfortable and showing a bit of your personality. You can wear basically any color and don’t have to worry about matching a top with a bottom. Tights should be worn underneath your dress and it’s a good idea to bring a cardigan or blazer if it gets cold.
Shoes: Perhaps the most labored over question in conferences is about shoes. While five-inch heels do the trick, some flats, or smaller heels work. You can also wear dress shoes in brown or black (matching your belt), or to toe the line, wearing some white sneakers can pull your outfit together.
Ties and Tie Bars: Ties are a great way to add a flash of color to your outfit, but you should always make sure to match your tie with the rest of your outfit, so they don’t clash. Make sure that your ties are professional. Tie bars are also a great addition to an outfit as they hold your tie in place and add a flash of shine to your outfit.
Confidence is key at MUN conferences and extending that to your clothes is important. Feeling good and being comfortable is the most important part of your outfit. Although professionalism and cleanliness are key tenets of any conference you go to, adding some bright colored shirts or blouses (think orange or red), some flashy socks (maybe a pair of “Chinchillin’” socks), a bold tie (some polka dots perhaps), or an interesting lapel pin (like a frog holding your country’s flag) can help you bring a little bit of your personality to your clothes and give you the confidence you need to go out and tackle all of the challenges headed your way. And always remember: Never button the bottom button!
