Paul had a very important corporate presentation coming up. As a sales rep, he had to showcase the sales journey of the new product. He prepared day in and day out and had a perfect presentation ready to be delivered. As an orator, everyone knew of his flair for public speaking.
On the day of the presentation, he goes in to greet the room full of people dressed up in suits. And he dons the same attire, a recently bought heavy suit for the presentation, specifically.
However, there is a catch. Paul, not being too much of a dresser, doesn’t realize that the fabric is heavy and non-breathable. As a result, he starts having severe perspiration (presentation stress as well), and things slowly start rolling downhill.
Now, watching a presenter in that state, people are quick to make initial judgments. The skepticism begins to take birth.
In important setups like presentations, the first impression really helps as you don’t get a lot of time to spend with the audience.
What you decide to wear can prove to be an invaluable aid in that respect, as you will have already created an impact before starting the presentation (based on your personality the moment you walk into the room).
Let’s quickly find out how you can dress in the best way possible for your next presentation.
Pro Tips to Dress Up Well
Wearing the right comfortable outfit will give you confidence, and the audience can sense that. The initial few minutes of the presentation are golden moments to set the eventual flow.
Let’s find out what dressing styles are perfect for your professional engagement.
1. In the case of a virtual presentation
You neither want to be overdressed nor dress up too casually for your online presentation. A casual business-like outfit is perfect for these types of events.
For females, smart blouses and shirts work well. You can add another layer of blazer as well to emanate more authority. For males, a crisp shirt or suit works best.
Be mindful of the background color while video conferencing. You wouldn’t want your clothes to blend with the background.
2. Picking up the colors
It is good to wear colors when you go on stage. It helps you stand out and adds a point of interest to the outfit. However, if black, gray, or other neutral colors are what drives you, then you can shift to those outfits but with a little design element so that it doesn’t look flat.
Having said that, go for colors if you want to stand out and be more memorable.
When picking up colors, see what tones make you look your best. Also, different colors mean different things, so choose based on how you want to be perceived.
For instance –
- Red – It shows authority and control, and the color inspires confidence and attracts attention.
- Blue – Blue is universally liked and preferred for formal settings. It shows reliability and trust.
- Yellow – It shows optimism and happiness and is an uplifting color. However, be mindful when wearing it at sunny places as the color might look electric in that bright light.
- Green – Connected with nature, the color is emotionally positive and puts everyone in a tranquil mood.
Go for solids or simple prints to avoid looking fussy or flashy.
3. Types of clothing you can wear
Pick outfits that fit well and are contemporary but not too fashion-forward. Also, clean lines and tailored pieces will help you look authoritative and more professional. You can opt for dresses like –
For Females
- Skirt (pencil, tailored A-line) paired with a blouse
- Shift dress paired with a blazer
- A tailored suit
- Pants paired with a blouse
- A wrap dress, with or without a blazer
- Slacks paired with a blazer
For Males
- A suit
- Dark jeans coupled with a collared shirt
- Collared shirt with a tie and pressed sports coat
- Chinos with a dress shirt
The current trend for males is to wear a suit with a dress shirt (without a tie).
Also, remember to keep the accessories in line (heels, dress shoes, earrings, watch, etc.). And with that, your hair, nails, and makeup should complement the outfit and the presentation setup.
Things to Keep in Mind When Deciding the Outfit
- Keep your audience and surroundings in mind when picking up your clothing. For example, if you are presenting in front of upper management, you wouldn’t want to wear an untucked shirt.
- Remember to wear comfortable clothes and accessories to facilitate movement and prolonged standing. For example, women should think of wearing low-heeled footwear or wedges to be comfortable.
- Use your clothing to direct attention to your face and eyes, like wearing a red scarf (for women). Pair your dark suits with lighter-colored shirts and blouses.
- Your clothes should hold a lavalier comfortably. The ideal placement is on your upper chest. A lot of people put them on the lapel, which is a bad idea as the sound levels change when you move your head. You can put them on your shirt (around the second button) or on the necktie (a few inches below the knot).
- Be mindful that you are not wearing the same clothes you wore in last month’s presentation. So, check the programs beforehand and see that the outfit is good for headshots and stage.
- Be mindful of the time (day or night event) and place of the event, along with your personal brand image. Also, keep in mind questions like how many people will be there and if there are other presenters. It will help you determine the right outfit, keeping track of all the factors.
Things to Avoid When Dressing Up for the Presentation
- Make sure your fabrics don’t crinkle easily and aren’t too sheer, tight, and bulky.
- Don’t wear flashy colors like bright pink or patterns, like tie and dye, to avoid distraction.
- Keep your issues in mind beforehand. For example, if you have the tendency to sweat, avoid colors (like gray) that make it look obvious or fabrics like silk. You can go for premium nose pads so that your glasses don’t keep slipping off the face. Similarly, don’t go for fabrics that retain heat or are not breathable.
- Don’t go for oversized or baggy outfits.
- Refrain from ripped outfits.
- Make sure you are not wearing any flashy jewelry like a shiny watch or a big chain. Wear something simple and decent that doesn’t catch unnecessary attention.
- Never wear sneakers; you can wear loafers or shoes instead.
- Don’t wear something brand new without trying.
- Avoid unclean or defective (loose threads, missing button) clothes.
- Ladies, avoid shoes that have embellishments on them, like bows, buckles, etc.
- Don’t go sporting a stubble or messy hair look.
To Sum it Up
Humans make hasty opinions and quick generalizations. So, it would be wise to put the best foot forward in every scenario. Your best outfit for the presentation would be the clothes you are most comfortable in, something that is breathable, light, and lets you move freely.
Always pick your outfits beforehand. Try the clothes and move around wearing them to avoid any fashion faux pas later. You can also take a video of yourself (in light) to check how you will look in stage lights.
