There are basically two schools when it comes to “dress code”:
A) The “better overdress”
B) The Comfortable and dont care
one. And it shows almost immediately when I attend a presentation to which school the presenter is bowing towards. Not always to his or her advantage. Especially when it comes to attire, conflicts arise. Why? Most of the time, presenters think that they have to wear something “appropriate” and mount suit and tie. In contrast to the everyday T-Shirt and Jeans. With the great effect that the whole audience will immediately notice the discomfort the presenter has. Or the case where a Suit’n'Tie want’s to be overly cool and goes to stage in 15 year old T-Shirt.
Just wear the everyday cloths for a presentation would be overly simplistic. It IS important what you wear! But one has to find a balance between attire and comfort. as mentioned, going 180° to the other direction is sensed immediately and ruins a lot for you and the audience. So, what to wear?
Take your everyday attire as a baseline. Give your Closet a good look-over. Define what you will go in maximum either direction (business <-> casual <-> offduty). Then really think about your audience. Imagine what would give you the most confidence in front of them. By this I mean for example that you will not feel great in T-Shirt in front of a group of exec’s whos ties might cost more than your whole fabrics.
Most importantly, do not fall into the “I want to make a statement” trap. It is hardly a good idea to start a presentation with offending the audience, and this will happen subconscious if you disrespect the audience by choice of clothes. So, adjust your selection to your audience, but to your own personal boundaries. Make a conscious decision about this.
A last note: Work on all your presentation skills and techniques. If you reach a point, where your audience will talk about your speech for hours but is unable to remember if you had a pink uniform or blue overall, you made it!I
