What do people wear at Instructurecon?

[jsowalsk]

Can you please give me some tips on what people wear/bring with them to survive the weather of CO and what is the expected dress for this conference?

[abunag]

Jeans and polos was the standard wear last year, at least for men.  It can get hot and sunny during the day, and cold at night, and it will likely at least sprinkle for part of it, so layers are good.  And good walking shoes are an absolute must.  I was not sorry to bring sunglasses and a hat - there's a bit of distance between events and lodging so you likely will be outdoors for quite a bit of time (not to mention the communal meals were outdoors last year).

As it's high altitude, plan on plenty of sunscreen and water.  And since you'll need water, backpacks are nice to carry it in.  Early schwag last year was a backpack, but I don't know if that'll happen this year too.  And on that note...try to leave a little extra room in your luggage - there's always stuff they give away that you'll want to bring home with you...

[kona]

This is a casual event, so anything really goes - from shorts and tshirts to khakis and polos. Wear what's comfortable and makes you feel good. 🙂

During the day it will be warm so I'm planning on shorts or skirt and short sleeve shirt. Afternoon it normally rains, so umbrellas and possibly light rain jacket. Evening gets cool so jeans, long sleeves, and a light jacket. Go for comfortable shoes and yes to sunscreen, sunglasses, and water!

And definitely leave room in your bag for swag!!

[nazariok]

Thank you so much for this info guys! It's my first one and I come from a business school's online program, so this is great news for me   

[a_dziworshie]

Thanks...very helpful.

[Stef_retired]

You're getting good advice from some seasoned veterans,  @jsowalsk ! I hope you'll take a moment to read my blog post https://community.canvaslms.com/message/60788-instcon2017-prep-calling-all-flatlanders?sr=search&sea...‌.

[kmeeusen]

 @jsowalsk  as you have seen already, casual is where it's at, and only misinformed vendors dress as business men and women. As an agent on a mission, you will want to blend is as much as possible.

One of my best stories from last year was riding the shuttle up from breakfast with a very dissatisfied camper. Breakfast that day was held in an open field, and it was sprinkling that morning. All the way back to the main conference center she blasted Instructure in a very disparaging manner (ok, she screamed and swore like an old fisherman, and I know because I was one in a past life). When I looked at her (read "glared"), I noted that she was dressed to the nines like she was attending a Blackboard Conference in a high-rise convention center in a major city where the only traveling was up and down an elevator; and this despite the well advertised theme of "Camp Canvas". I mean she even had on platform heels, and they weren't looking so good at that point in time!

Oh yeah, and don't forget the shades to help maintain the anonymity of your cover.

Agent K

[kona]

Yeah, comfort is the name of the game! You'll be walking a lot and spending some time outside!

[rconroy]

I'm not too sure how accurate this is a month out, but I'd guess its a ballpark? Keystone July Weather 2017 - AccuWeather Forecast for CO 80435 

If this is Hot, I will TAKE it! I emailed Keystone Resort and asked if Long boards were allowed on premises, and they said they were. So, you've got a lot of options in your clothing AND transport it seems.  :smileycool:

[kenneth_rogers]

We had a heat index of 110 one day last week (then we got a cool front of the lower 90's and it felt AMAZING outside!)...so with those temperatures, I just might bring a parka/snowsuit.

[rconroy]

Right?! Its been in the 90's in SLC which isn't terrible compared to friends I have in my hometown, but it will be a nice break from the weather for sure. Fingers crossed that I'll acclimate quickly!

[sbeck1]

Looks a little different now, but not too much!

[striglej]

Watch the highlight reel from last year and you'll get a feel for what folks were wearing for the weather.  My backpack always had a small umbrella and or my frog toggs rain jacket.  As mentioned in another post, there is sometimes an email that comes out ahead of time with suggested theme attire for evening activities.

[kmeeusen]

I would like to add one more little tidbit concerning InstCon dress requirements, and for me it is a requirement!

My top always includes a past InstCon T-shirt, and if necessary, I always cover with a past Instcon jacket.  I have 24 different InsCon Ts (more total because I am lucky enough to have some duplicates), and my biggest packing chore is deciding which ones to bring. I almost always choose a half-dozen or more of my oldest (I only wear them at InstCons and our state CanvasCon, so they are almost pristine). If I am housed onsite, I tend to bring double that number, and change out sometime during the day, like before an evening reception. I typically just bring two jackets, a snap-up hooded sweaty from 2 years ago (I think) that I just love, and a lighter hoodless zip up grey fleece from 2012 that is definitely my fave and I wear it all the time, even at home (getting a tad bit ratty). To project my old bald head from that high-altitude sun, I also bring a Canvas Baseball cap, and toss on a pair of Canvas sunglasses to finish the ensemble.

Yes, I am a one-man marketing team! What would be really cool is if the swag included a pair of roller skates, then my friend  @Robbie_Grant ‌ could rock his pride!

Agent K

[jjjohnson01]

But how will you keep your tie on? 😉

[kmeeusen]

Super glue!

[BethCrook]

Definitely comfort and casual!  Especially with shoes.  Leave the heels at home.  As  @striglej ‌ mentioned, watching the highlight reels from previous conferences will be super helpful (and fun anyways!).  I would like to add to make sure you don't bother with the really nice shoulder leather laptop bag.  Your shoulder and back will scream the first day.   Backpacks are super comfy and completely the norm (we were even lucky enough to get new backpacks as swag last year!).   Then it was really fun at DEN security seeing the sea of orange Camp Canvas backpacks on Friday.  LOL   And bring a small compact umbrella or rain jacket to store in your bag for the daily pop-up showers!

[Adrienne_J_Gaut]

hahaha! The latest email update on evening activities might affect my packing list!

[rconroy]

I was so excited about that email!! Im gonna need to find a black dress to be all Agent 007  

[kmeeusen]

While a black evening gown might prove comfortable (especially one with high slits and a low bodice), I would have to engage in some serious brush control on my chest. However, a clip-on bow tie would complete the look of a 2012 InstCon T-shirt.

Agent K

[scottdennis]

LBD but with layers!  It gets pretty chilly in the evenings sometimes, even in July.

[rconroy]

Easy enough, just wear my leather jacket with my black dress and I'm set. :smileycool:

[fox]

I am not getting emails about activities about InstructureCon 0017 ... did I miss signing up for something when I registered? I've poked around a little but cannot find a list to subscribe to. Help!

[kona]

 @fox ‌, head over to this page - Instructurecon July 25-27, 2017 - scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address to get updates on InstructureCon! 🙂

[fox]

Thanks  @kona ‌ I signed up for the updates email - I thought I had before, but perhaps I missed it! The page you linked also had the details about the swanky / groovy night events. Time to think about some a 60s outfit, how fun!

[kona]

There were more details in the email than on the webpage. I found your email address and went ahead and forwarded it to you. 🙂

[mjoaquin]

 @fox ‌ the email that had more evening details was in my Spam folder! Check there! 

[kona]

And if needs be, let me know your email address and I can forward it to you.

[grogne]

On the topic of the black tie event, how black tie are we really getting? A girl has to know. And is this an indoor or outdoor activity? Asking for all the ladies who are debating dresses and heels

[kmeeusen]

 @grogne ‌

Guaranteed it will be outside! There are not, as far as I remember from last year, any indoor venues at Keystone that can support this size and type of even. Likely Keystone Village.  Go as formal as you like, but if you wear heels, carry comfortable flats in your bag, or even tennies, and a light jacket of some kind.  I guess a mink stole might work, but...........................

The email did also mention that some various accoutrements would be available, and I am thinking along the lines of a clip-on bow ties for men, and god-only-knows what for women.

Me, I intend to go fully formal and wear my oldest InstCon T-shirt, oldest InstCon jacket, and clip something on as a disguise. However, every InstCon has had a theme, and every year a significant number of folks dress extravagantly in support of that theme for the reception. It really is entirely up to you! I love costumes, and would go whole-hog for this, but I really like to travel very light and save some room for swag. hate airlines charging me extra, hate having to go to baggage claim, and all that jazz!

Agent K

[Adrienne_J_Gaut]

the schedule has 'Mountain House' as the location for Wed night. We had game night there last year, it's indoor and multiple rooms/areas, though there is a huge parking lot next to it --- to be an outdoor venue (?)

[mjoaquin]

I have to admit I was already on the fence trying to determine what to pack and that last email has thrown a wrench in my plans! I take the invite as tongue in cheek, but from reading responses here, I am unsure! The idea of black-tie as costume, vs black-tie, vs just normal wear....Veteran InstaCon attendees, share your insight! 

[kona]

I wasn't there last year, but from experience from the previous three years it was a healthy mix of people who went all out dressing up and people who didn't dress up at all (just wore normal clothes).

I dressed up in the past (it was held outside), but for this year I'm trying to figure out if I could wear something that would be appropriate for being outside in the evening. Decisions, decisions, decisions....

[Adrienne_J_Gaut]

...my perspective is to go with the tongue-in-cheek idea. Like - a tuxedo t-shirt, bow-tie with whatever-already-wearing, etc. I think it's more difficult for women to find the easy funny costume idea than men for a 'casino/ballroom' theme. I think they will have some fun things to adorn with for whatever you area wearing.

I'm guessing most will be in casual mountain summer wear with a funny casino/spy/sidekick twist.

[kenneth_rogers]

Keep in mind I'm only an #instcon rookie,  @mjoaquin ‌, and I'm a guy (as  @Adrienne_J_Gaut ‌ pointed out, this black tie event is probably easier for men)...but I'm totally going for less 007, more 2017 spy that's on the floor with the common people. I'll totally be in jeans, a dress shirt, probably a blazer, mayybbbeee a tie. The way I feel - I'll look nice (enough), but be comfortable...and I could still knock someone unconscious, drag them to a back room, and interrogate them for hours!

[rconroy]

[kenneth_rogers]

With that gif...I am reconsidering my wardrobe...

OH THE DECISIONS!

[mjoaquin]

Ha!

[rconroy]

I would give you so many in person kudos points if you wore the Austin Powers outfit. ahahahaha

[kmeeusen]

Oh, Roxanne, if I wasn't so concerned about limiting my luggage that Austin Powers look would totally rock the house!

Hmmm....................... what is that extra bag fee, and where can I find that awesome shirt/ascot thingy he wears?

Agent K