Even before you begin your speech, your audience will already be making assumptions about. Your mouth might be closed but what you wear and how you wear it will speak for you if you’re not careful. If you show up to a speech with lipstick on your teeth and a run in your stockings how can you expect anyone to take you seriously?
You may consider yourself a fashionista, but when it comes to selecting what to wear for a presentation, the normal rules of couture don’t always apply. Follow these tips the next time you give a speech and you will find the audience paying attention to what you have to say, not distracted by what you’re wearing.
Ditch the Dress
Wearing a dress is not recommended unless the presentation you’re giving happens to be at your best friend’s wedding. You’re a businesswoman, not a bridesmaid, so aim for a nice suit or skirt and blouse combo.
Accessorize Wisely
We all know your boyfriend bought you those really expensive dangly earrings for Christmas, but if you wear them for your presentation, people are apt to be paying more attention to them than what you have to say. Don’t let your accessories speak louder than you. If you are going to wear jewelry, keep it simple and conservative. Anything that’s shiny is bound to be blinding when it catches the light.
We Fit
It’s not always about what you’re wearing, but how well it fits. You don’t want anything that’s too tight because it could restrict your movement and look unflattering if you’re still trying to lose that holiday weight. Take some advice from Goldilocks on this one; skip over the tight blouse or the baggy skirt and find an outfit that fits just right.
OMG, Shoes!
Chances are, you’ll be giving your presentation on your feet, so you want to pay attention to what you put them into. You want them to be comfortable, but still professional. Go for a low heel and save the stilettos for Saturday night. No matter how nice your pedicure is, you should cover your toes. Unless Quentin Tarantino is in the audience, nobody wants to see your feet.
Make-Up or Make-Down?
Wearing a touch of make-up can really do wonders for your look—if done in moderation. Of course nobody is suggesting that you would purposely cake your face like a clown, but you do have to pay attention to what kind of makeup you’re putting on. Anything glittery, shimmery or glossy is going to look too shiny, especially if you’re going to be on stage under bright lights. A little goes a long way.
A Hair Affair
It might sound obvious but you’ll want to wash and style your hair prior to your presentation. If you have long hair, pulling it back is a must. You don’t want your hair to cover your face or brush against a microphone. Keep your hair conservative and professional in order to give the best impression.
When in Doubt, Dress Up
It’s okay to be overdressed for your audience because it beats the alternative. Showing up to a presentation wearing business casual when the audience is wearing strictly business attire can kill your speech before you even get a single word out. Always try to stay one step ahead and dress a little nicer than the people you are speaking to. It shows your audience a great deal of respect.
Control the Girls!
You should always wear a bra when giving a presentation. Always. Be sure that it fits properly and gives ample support so that you are able to freely move without worrying about having too much bounce. Check your cleavage to make sure everything is tucked away properly in a professional manner.
Call in Reinforcements
If you absolutely cannot figure out the right thing to wear, you might want to recruit one of your girl friends to help. Schedule an emergency shopping excursion, or just go through your closet together. Having another opinion can help prevent you from making a serious fashion faux-pas.
Dress Rehearsal
It’s a great idea to pick out your outfit ahead of time and give yourself a bit of a dress rehearsal. Not only will this help you prepare for the big presentation, but will give you the opportunity to make last-minute wardrobe changes if necessary.
When in doubt, consider what you wore at your job interview that landed you the position in the first place and try to emulate that look as best you can. Dressing professionally isn’t rocket science, but you should put some thought into what you look like before you step out in front of your audience.
