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What Should You Wear at a Trade Show? A Practical Guide for Exhibitors Who Want to Look Professional (and Avoid Common Mistakes)
If you've ever walked a show floor and spotted that one booth staffer—the one who looks like they rolled in from the hotel pool or came straight from a CrossFit session—you know exactly why trade show attire matters. It only takes one person to throw off the first impression of your entire booth.
And unlike shipping delays or last-minute design changes, this is one problem that’s completely preventable.
At Ace Displays, we’ve supported thousands of exhibitors, and we can tell you this with complete confidence: what your team wears directly impacts how attendees perceive your brand. The right wardrobe helps you look prepared, trustworthy, and worth stopping for.
Here’s a modern guide to trade show attire that keeps your team aligned, polished, and comfortable.
1. Start With the Standards of Your Industry
Before ordering shirts or planning outfits, take a look at the show you’re attending and the type of audience you’ll be in front of. “What do people normally wear at this event?” is one of the simplest questions that exhibitors forget to ask.
- - Fitness or sporting goods? Branded athleisure fits right in.
- - Medical, biotech, finance, or government? Elevate your wardrobe. Crisp, clean, and polished wins that crowd.
- - Creative industries? Trendy but professional usually hits the mark.
You want your team to feel aligned with the environment, not sticking out for the wrong reasons.
2. Use Branded Apparel Strategically
Yes, branded attire works—but only when it’s intentional.
A clean logo on a shirt, blazer, or pullover is usually enough to identify your team on the show floor. What doesn’t work is branding every possible item like you’re a NASCAR driver.
Your booth already does the heavy lifting. Your graphics, signage, and displays should be what people recognize first. Apparel should quietly reinforce the brand, not compete with it.
Branded shirts do offer a bonus: visibility outside the booth. Whether your team is in the hotel lobby, walking the expo hall, or grabbing dinner, your logo travels with them. That’s free exposure.
If you prefer non-branded clothing, a neat name badge or enamel pin can provide the same clarity.
3. Choose Clothes That Actually Support You Through Long Days
Trade shows are long. Like… very long. Comfort is not optional.
For women:
- Choose shoes you can stand in for hours. If you wear heels, pick a low, stable style. Dresses, blouses, and suits should allow you to move easily without losing polish.
For men:
- Tailored but comfortable clothing is the goal. A blazer that fits, a shirt that breathes, and shoes that are already broken in will make your day significantly easier.
And here’s something many exhibitors overlook: your flooring matters too. Anti-fatigue flooring in your booth can make your entire team feel more energized.
4. Keep Accessories Clean and Simple
More accessories mean more distractions. Unless you actually sell accessories, keep them to a minimum.
For men:
Match your belt and shoes. Coordinate your tie with a color from your shirt. If you’re confident with patterns or textures, go for it—just stay on the professional side of bold.
For women:
- Classic pieces, simple styles, or a single pop of color can make a polished statement without steering attention away from conversations.
The goal: look reliable, clean, and put together.
5. Hygiene Isn’t Optional
This should go without saying, but since trade shows are close-range environments, it’s worth repeating.
- Shower daily
- Use deodorant and bring extra if it’s a multi-day event
- Wear a fresh shirt each day
- Keep breath mints on hand
- Go light on fragrance
Skip gum to avoid distracted chewing
A polished look can’t make up for poor hygiene. Clean and fresh is the real “dress for success.”
Conclusion: Dress Like Part of the Experience You Want Attendees to Have
Trade show attire is one of the most overlooked parts of exhibiting, but one of the easiest wins. When your team looks consistent, confident, and put together, people notice—and they take you more seriously before you even say a word.
Whether you’re representing a global brand or attending your first local show, the right wardrobe helps you do your job better. Show up sharp and you’ll set the tone for productive conversations and a strong event.
About Ace Displays
In 2006, Ace Displays was founded in Southern California with the desire to provide quality products at competitive prices with the fastest delivery times in the industry. We believe purchasing an event display and its accessories should be an easy and exciting experience. Leveraging our short lead times to differentiate ourselves, we exist to connect people by providing event solutions that create conversations and lasting impressions.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the best event & trade show displays at budget-friendly prices with unparalleled service to ensure we exceed our clients expectations and to foster an environment our employees are proud to work in.
The Ace Method
We are excited to work with you - from meeting your budget to meeting your deadlines - we will help you create a display that looks great and asserts your presence. To aid in what can be a rather laborious process, Ace has developed a 6-step method to get you a display quickly and easily so you can focus your time on other areas of your business and upcoming events.