When you’re attending outdoor conventions, what you wear matters, especially if you’re stepping into leadership rooms.
I’m just returning from the Safari Club International (SCI) convention, and I also recently spent days walking miles on the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) floor in Las Vegas. As a member of the SCI board of directors and chair of the Region Representatives, I want to be comfortable while also being known as a professional among my peers.
Why Professional Western Style Matters in Conservation
There’s a misconception that professional means neutral and stripped of personality. In conservation leadership spaces, but not in the outdoor space. We can show our heritage while remaining professional.
Western identity belongs in these rooms.
Wearing structured pieces, like a tailored blazer, signals preparation and professionalism. Pairing it with quality denim and boots keeps the outfit authentic to the hunting and ranching community we represent.
Authority isn’t about dressing like someone else. It’s about showing up aligned and representing my community. This year, I added a bit of “wild” to a few of my outfits with animal-print accents. I’ll be sharing a series of posts to inspire you to be a leader and have fun looking your best.
Safari Club International Convention Day 1
On day one, I split my time between a meet-and-greet, alongside other iconic outdoor women, at the SCI Women Go Hunting booth and, as Chair of the Region Representatives, attending the Directors at Large committee meeting. That means moving from mentorship conversations on the convention floor to formal discussion tables in the meeting room.
Your clothing has to work in both spaces, including roaming the aisles on the show floor, and during the many steps in between.
Dressing for Leadership at a Convention
When I plan a convention outfit, I focus on three things:
- Structure – Structure communicates authority.
- Comfort – Comfort ensures you can perform for 8+ hours.
- Identity – Identity keeps you grounded and lets others know who you are.
The Day One Outfit Breakdown
For day one at the Safari Club International Convention, I wore:
- A custom petite blazer in my spring color palette (If you’re interested in getting your colors done, I highly recommend an in-person session. I had my colors done with a local House of Colour expert. FIND YOURS HERE.)
- Leopard blouse from Ann Taylor – I’m usually a fairly plain gal, with minimal print on my clothing, but when you’re at the Safari Club, why not wear something with energy, fun, and inspiration for bucket-list hunts?
- Silver Jeans – I wear jeans on many days, but as a professional, I generally wear a dark wash jean with no rips or tears.
- Sorel boots built for all-day walking – I wear the tar out of these high-traction wedge boots and love them so much that I have a second pair in a box, in the closet, for when I wear these ones out. While they’re no longer in stock, I’ve linked a couple of similar styles.
- Rodeo King Silver Belly hat from The Cow Lot – Your hat and how you shape it says a lot (I’ll have to write about this in a future post), and the Silver Belly felt is an iconic dress hat that I won’t wear in the outdoor realm until it shows signs of wear. I keep it clean and sharp, and the color blends perfectly with my Spring color palette.
This combination allowed me to maintain a polished Western presence without sacrificing movement or stamina.
Convention days are long. You walk miles. You stand in conversations. You sit through meetings. If your boots hurt or your jacket restricts movement, your focus shifts from leadership to discomfort. That’s not acceptable when you’re representing chapters and members worldwide.
(Shop the look in my ShopMy here.)
Five Quick Tips for Dressing for a Hunting Convention
If you’re a leading woman attending a national hunting convention, here’s what I recommend:
- Choose one structured piece (a blazer or a tailored jacket). I throw my hat into this category.
- Invest in shoes you can walk in for 8+ hours. For me, it’s the Sorel wedges, cowboy, or other boots. As a petite woman, I always like to add a little height.
- Layer strategically — convention centers run cold, but you can heat up in crowded meeting rooms or while fast-walking from one meeting to the next.
- Keep your accessories intentional but minimal. I wore my SCI Life Hunter Advocacy pin and my badge. Pins always go on the left lapel, and badges go on the right. Additionally, remember that you’ll likely be wearing a badge/lanyard, so adjust necklaces accordingly.
- Wear something that reflects your identity, but avoid being too trendy —save that for the after-parties!
If you’re looking for a full convention capsule, I’ve curated mine in my ShopMy, LTK, and Amazon Storefront. I would appreciate it if you would, if you desire, follow me on all of them. And, come back for the Day 2 recap!
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