Dress for the Occasion

We all know that when a speaker gives an address on stage, his/her choice of clothing is not whatever that was pulled out instantly from the wardrobe. In today’s business arena, image is everything and what a speaker wears is crucial to that image. Often times, I have been asked on what to wear when giving a presentation. To give a more accurate advice, I would need to know the purpose of the meeting, the objectives to be met and the size of the audience. However, here are some tips you may find useful when you are engaged in public speaking generally.

To begin, you must expect your audience to drift on and off from time to time while you speak. To bring them back to you, you will need to complement a strong visual image together with a variation in your speech delivery and interesting visual aids. It is therefore important to realise that different styles of clothes or dress will be required for different audiences.

The Business Presentation

If your audience is small for example, a boardroom presentation, you will have to adopt a softer and less intimidating look. A bright red suit just won’t do in such a scenario. The key is to wear something that will relax your audience. So, women should go for neutral coloured suits and introduce more colour with blouses. The accessories should be kept minimum; a gold and pearl combination looks most elegant. For men, don’t dazzle your audience with bright colours or wild patterns. Keep your suit black or navy blue and instead of wearing a burning red tie, go for calming colours like green, blue or gray. The trick is that if you concentrate the colour near your face, it will act like a spotlight focusing attention on you and what you are saying.

On the other hand, a large audience becomes ‘a theatre’ and therefore requires a ‘costume’. Thus, a navy-suited speaker will not create much of an impact at a conference of 500 people. This will call for the occasion of bringing more colours into your jacket if not the entire suit. Try brighter colours to win your audience’ attention. Remember, it is the colour of your suit and not the bold patterns of your suits.

It will be useful if you can check the lighting of the room before your presentation. If the area where you are speaking is dark, you will need to brighten up by wearing lighter or brighter shades.

When selecting the style of your suits, do take into account of how your body reacts under the stress of giving presentations. If you are the type that moves around when speaking, then be sure your clothes allow plenty of movement. Avoid tight skirts or jackets. Always keep your jackets buttoned when speaking so as to avoid any unnecessary distractions (eg. your bosom, tummy or waist).

Make sure you are well groomed. Women should wear flattering makeup that is not too heavy and have their hair done stylishly. Similarly, men should have a clean shaven look with their hair neatly trimmed and styled.


Appearing on television

The idea of appearing on television can be very daunting. If we watch news interviews or panel discussions, often times, we take particular note of how badly the interviewee can come across in terms of his/her appearance. It is very difficult to concentrate on what is said by someone who is wearing a gaudy scarf, necklace or even tie. Nonetheless, accept the fact that you will look bigger when you appear on TV. So, do not worry when you see yourself on TV; it is the camera, and not you. Read on to find out the following tips to look great for your TV debut.

Remember to wear simple outfits without any distraction from your face. This means you should wear solid colours avoiding black and white shirts or tops. Black tops cancel out your top half, and it makes you look formless. White makes you look pale and washed out. You should also avoid red which tends to ‘bleed’ on camera - the edges run and look fuzzy. Stripes or herringbone patterns can appear to be ‘dancing’ or moving around the screen. A monochromatic blend of colours is the best! Plunging necklines are no-no and again, keep your jewellery or accessories to the minimum.

Makeup is a must when appearing in TV. Most TV shows would have a makeup artist. If not, you will have to put on foundation before you appear in front of the camera. Plus, always complete your makeup with translucent powder to prevent shine.

Remember that these are just guidelines – above all it is important to feel confident and comfortable. Let your common sense guide you on what is right for you while at the same time being appropriate for the occasion.



Article contributed by June Tan, a Certified Professional Trainer (IPMA UK) and founder of Image Coach International Pte Ltd. To find out more about our Personal Branding workshop or image coaching, coach@imagecoach.com.sg or visit www.imagecoach.com.sg
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