What does one wear to the United Nations headquarters to attend talks on the necessity of an Arms Trade Treaty?



UN Headquarters Daily Outfit Round Up- Day 1: all black skirt and blazer with opaque stockings and grey ankle boots, Day 2: black pants suit with pink and white striped shirt. Middle image taken by Rombo Kins.

At the United Nations, personal style is hardly the key focus, and rightly so, this is not fashion week, there are no paparazzi, though perhaps there should be - what these people are discussing is deserving of page space. With international peacekeeping discussions being held behind every closed door, the attendees at this New York City office tower are more likely to be considering how best to make their case on a world stage, not whether or not the other delegates approve of their choice of top. That being said, you're probably still a little curious, right? So what does style look like at the United Nations?

You may well have guessed, United Nations style is all about the suit. Nothing says business like a smart suit and by and large, suits are the uniform of choice for the international delegates and NGO representatives attending the UN's headquarters in Manhattan. Now, if you're thinking that suits are dowdy and boring, it's time to think again.

Lets think for a moment about Barney Stinson, the name should ring a bell, if it doesn't here is a quick overview to bring you up to speed: Barney is a character on the American sitcom, How I Met Your Mother, and most importantly, unofficial international ambassador of the suit after having coined the term Suit Up! If you've not yet found yourself jumping aboard the Suit Up! revolution, it's time to get across it.

Putting the "legendary" Barney Stinson aside, it is important to take pride in our physical appearance, whether we are a UN ambassador or a MAC sales girl, because first impressions can only be made once. Data from the Harvard Study of Health and Life Quality has found links between physical appearance and self-worth, with people who look good more likely to consider themselves capable and of high self worth (Source). Further, 'psychologists, writers and seminar leaders caution that we only have
from seven to seventeen seconds of interacting with strangers before
they form an opinion of us' (Source).

Another way to consider how your physical appearance can contribute to the impression others have of you is to ensure your appearance does not detract from what you are saying or doing. For example, you may be highly articulate and have a positive contribution to offer, however, you may not be given the opportunity to do so on account of your physical appearance being deemed inappropriate in the given context. In making choices to do with personal appearance we should respect and consider the environment we are placing ourselves in, fisherman pants and a slogan tshirt may work well at Climate Camp but when speaking in front of board level company executives, it's time to suit up - give people what they need to take you seriously, and then blow them away with your real agenda.



Photographs by Springleap.com, treslola.

At first glance, there appears to be an overwhelming sea of greys and black, but upon closer inspection there is an understated attention to detail. Splashes of colour and style are subtly exhibited in the realm of patterned men's ties, smart cuff links and women's bags and shoes. At the United Nations, personal style is in the accessories.

Women are decked out in smart pants suits or skirts accompanied by stockings and a low heeled or flat shoe, a choice that in New York is a smart one in order to tackle the most convenient form of commute, walking. Silk scarves are draped smartly under collars and simple neck chains sit above V neck shirts under blazers. The most outstanding personal style is that of the delegates who have attended in traditional dress, draped long line aqua fabric certainly sets them as stand outs in the sea of suits and it offers a far better introduction than any business card could achieve.


Who says international peacekeeping business can't be chic & stylish? What would you wear to the United Nations?