As a public speaker, your appearance on stage can have a significant impact on how your message is received by the audience.
While it's important to dress professionally and in a way that reflects your personal style, there are certain pitfalls to avoid when selecting an outfit for stage.
Below, I will outline 7 common mistakes that public speakers should steer clear of to ensure their appearance enhances their message rather than detracts from it.
1. Don’t wear a new outfit without rehearsing in it beforehand.
New outfits can sometimes have unexpected flaws or quirks that you may not notice until you actually wear them. It could be anything from uncomfortable seams, restricted movement, excessive wrinkles, or even a poor fit.
By rehearsing in your new outfit, you'll have the opportunity to identify any such issues and address them beforehand. This way, you can make necessary adjustments, get alterations if needed, or even choose a different outfit altogether to ensure you look and feel your best..
Practice using similar gestures you would do while delivering the speech. Clothes might behave differently in motion.
2. Don’t forget to look in the mirror.
I recommend looking in a full-length mirror when getting dressed in the morning and just before going on stage. (If you haven’t got one, I strongly suggest investing into one. As a public speaker, it’s essential to see what people see when they look at you to make sure your outfit works head to toe).
A full-length mirror provides a comprehensive view of your entire outfit, allowing you to assess its overall appearance, fit, and visual impact. It enables you to check if the colours, patterns, and textures coordinate harmoniously, and if the proportions and silhouettes flatter your body shape. You can also ensure that your accessories complement your outfit and align with your personal brand.
3. Don’t chop yourself in lots of places
I see this so often, and yet, this mistake is so easy to avoid.
Let’s look at the two women below:
Can you see how a woman might break her outfit in 3 places? If she wore black tights, the outfit would flow much easier as it wouldn't be broken in so many places.
Similarly, a person might break their outfit in 4 places. Without a belt and a massive pendant, this outfit would flow much easier.
Our main aim here is to close the time gap between the person looking at us and hearing us.
4. Don’t Neglect to Consider the Camera
In today's digital age, many public speaking engagements are recorded or live-streamed. Neglecting to consider how your outfit will appear on camera can be a grave mistake.
Certain patterns or colours may not translate well on screen, creating distractions or making it difficult for viewers to focus on your words.
Choose solid colours or subtle patterns that are camera-friendly. Additionally, avoid fabrics that create glare or make noise when you move, as these can also be distracting for the audience.
5. Don’t Overdo Accessories.
Accessories can enhance an outfit and showcase your personal style. However, it's crucial not to overdo it.
Chunky jewelry, excessive bangles, or loud accessories can be distracting and take away from your presentation. Instead, opt for simple, elegant accessories that complement your outfit without overpowering it.
Remember, the focus should be on your message, not your accessories. I recommend, if in doubt, go for less rather than more. One accent in an outfit is plenty - that can be earrings, a necklace or perhaps just nice specs. One of the clients I work with did this as her thing - lots of beautiful frames make her stand out and that’s enough, she doesn’t need any other accessories.
This outfit is too busy, there are too many accessories: rings, necklace, earrings, brooch, plus the white trim on the jacket. Image @ TED talks
One accent - glasses, is perfect, no distraction
6. Don’t wear small flower print
Wearing small floral prints may not align with your desired brand image. It’s important to project authority to show up as an expert in your field. And even though I often recommend a more relaxed look if it works with your brand, I can’t see any setting or any niche in which ditsy flower print will work.
It usually will come across as too casual or not authoritative enough. It's important to choose outfits that enhance your presence, convey professionalism, and align with your target audience. By avoiding small flower prints, you can maintain a polished and impactful stage appearance, projecting confidence and capturing audience attention effectively.
Solid colours or abstract prints often work better in ensuring your presence is visually impactful.
7. Don’t ignore the background
I strongly advise to find out as much as you can about the venue you are speaking at and the background they are going to have. The background should harmonize with your outfit, align with your brand, and avoid distractions.
Consider colours, patterns, and textures to create visual harmony. Be mindful of lighting conditions and adapt if needed. If in doubt about which colour to pick, go for a contrast. So say, if the colour of the background is blue, go for red, and vice versa. It’s much harder to match the same colour as the background and might require more knowledge.
Contrasting colour , image @ TED talks
Matching the background, image @ Getty Images
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your stage outfit enhances your presence and supports your message effectively.
Remember, your clothing should make you feel confident and comfortable, allowing your expertise and personality to shine through.
Which of these tips do you find most helpful? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
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