Help! I'm attending a convention in Washington this summer and I'm stumped as to appropriate attire. I know it's hot, so how dressy do I need to be? I sure don't want to take alot of clothes. I'll be in a large hotel most of the time, but dining out in evening and some lunches. A museum or two thrown in for good measure. I would really like slacks as opposed to hose and heels, but I don't want to look like a bumpkin! What is acceptable?

What kind of convention and where is it in D.C.? Convention center or somewhere else? I think your convention will dictate what you wear- is it a professional convention where you will be mingling w/professional colleagues or something else? D.C. is pretty casual in summer. I consult in the legal arena and I dress pretty casually in summer- it is very very hot. I hardly ever wear a suit w/a skirt, unless I have a big client meeting. I wear dresses or pants, something cool and nice. It's too hot for hose IMO, unless there's a darn good reason for them, like the suit. But I think it depends more on your convention and the reason for it and who you will see. D.C. is not hard to fit into in summer. You can go to dinner and lunch at a nice place (w/only a few exceptions)in nice slacks and top, and dressy sandals or platforms.

In my experience almost all conventions are business casual unless you are faculty. I would assume that that is all you would need. Do not go for hose unless you want heat stroke.

But be prepared for icy conditions indoors. I recommend a long loose skirt or linen slacks, plus a light shawl in your tote bag, to protect bare skin from the blast of airconditioning in meeting rooms.

There really isn't any "dress code" here in the DC area although some snobs will try to convince you that there is one. Even for men, in restaurants at night, there are very VERY few that insist on a coat and tie anymore.
If you look as good as i susxpect you do in slacks I doubt you'll look like a "bumpkin" and believe me, there are a lot of "bumpkins" who already live here!
Enjoy your stay.

Washington DC is a much more casual town unless you're talking political. Political is generally suits, hose, heels. For Washington business it's much more casual as Emd suggests.

The city itself gets as humid as Florida can get so plan accordingly and bring some sandals, slacks, and cool outfits.