(This is a blog post from Nikki Branzelle, Senior Stylist at Trunk Club in Washington, DC. I invited Nikki to write this post because, believe it or not, your appearance matters when you present! Trunk Club is not a financial sponsor of PolicyViz and the views here do not represent the views of Trunk Club.)
The number one thing I have to combat as a stylist in DC is the idea that what you wear to work doesn’t really matter. Over time, that “business casual” dress code slowly melts down to a pair of khakis you bought for the interview two years ago and a fire-sale shirt you bought on President’s Day weekend.
Then it comes time to present in front of an audience of peers, colleagues, or superiors, and that daily outfit is clearly not going to cut it. Allow me to help!
It’s all about your audience. And yes, there are rules you absolutely must follow if you’re going to speak to a group whose attention you want to command.
Rule number 1: You must be more dressed up than the most senior person you’re speaking to. Not AS dressed up. MORE dressed up.
Rule number 2: Pick the right colors. There is a psychology behind this. A gray suit or blazer reflects that you are personable and approachable while a navy blazer or suit reads more authoritative. Pinstripes, when added to either suit choice, adds an element of professionalism.
Rule number 3: Pick what makes you feel confident. Confidence will always show.
Rule number 4: Make sure you’re wearing the right size.
Guys, I’ve worked with hundreds of men including CEOs, partners, and lobbyists, and I can confidently tell you that the majority of men wear at least one size bigger than they should. You look taller, broader, and slimmer when you wear the right size. Not sure if you’re blazer fits properly? You should be able to shake hands in front of you using both hands. If you can lift your arms in a jumping jack, it’s too big.
Definite things to avoid:
- Pleated pants. How are the 90s treating you?
- Box pleats in shirts. The box pleat is the pleat between your shoulder blades that makes your shirt blouse out in the back.
- Worn down shoes. This is a big one guys don’t think about. If we can see your blazer, your shirt, and your pants…we can see your shoes. The jig is up.
Ladies, you should fit the widest part of your body then tailor it down. Tailoring is something men accept as part of the shopping process, but can feel like an extra hassle to us. Because we have so many options of brands and stores, we assume those magically fitting pants on sale are just one store over transforming a quick trip for pants into a lifelong sport.
Which brings me to my last rule…
Rule number 5: Invest in staples and wear them. Where do I even begin? I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve heard made-up rules that usually sound something like, “I’d never pay more than X for a pair of pants.” My question to that is, over how many years? If you buy a pair of trousers that retail for $60, they WILL breakdown over time and you WILL need to replace them. You have to cut costs somewhere in the process of making them to sell them at that price. Let’s think about this over the course of 5 years. Option A is to buy one pair for $300 that fit you perfectly, travel well, are easy to care for, and stretch with you throughout the day but don’t stretch out. Option B is to buy a pair of $60 trousers every year for 5 years that don’t look AS good as the $300 pair but “are fine” because you made up this rule. Staples are like tires. You WILL use them. Even if it’s painful at first, you should probably get the good ones.
Here’s an easy list of basics you should probably tailor and/or feel comfortable investing in:
Women:
- Black blazer
- Navy blazer (Remember, navy and black goes together; see Chanel runways for proof.)
- Black trousers
- White blouse
- Black pumps (pointed toe is more modern and elongating)
Men:
- Navy suit and/or blazer
- Gray suit and/or blazer
- Navy trousers
- Gray trousers
- Brown dress shoes
- White button down
- Light blue button down
Also, if you buy it, wear it. You should wear the most expensive thing in your closet the most frequently.
Of course, every speaking engagement has different requirements, but this checklist will get you started. For more help or to schedule a shopping appointment, feel free to email me at NBranzelle@TrunkClub.com.
Wow, I think this is the most superficial, unnecessary, and (not in a good way) retro article I’ve read in a long time. And that on an otherwise excellent blog such as this!
Seriously, “dress to impress” is still a thing people are bothered with? Why should anyone care what I decided to put on this morning before I got on stage and shared my knowledge and opinions with the world? Did you come to see my impeccable sense for styling or to impart in my scientific contributions?
Is it true that clothing affects speakers? Most certainly so! But not in the way this piece implies. And not in a good way, may I add. I myself wasted countless hours of precious conference time by listening to people that had literally nothing to say. Wearing their nicest suits and shirts gave them the wrong impression of being the greatest luminaries in their respective fields. I’d rather like to listen to interesting contents than being distracted by their pinstripes. Or, as the old (made-up) proverb says: You can dress a coat in a smoking – it stays a goat.
Does your choice of clothing affect your speaking? Absolutely! That’s why my recommendation to any speaker is: wear whatever you feel most comfortable and confident with. Presenting is an extremely challenging situation for most people, so make sure to make it as comforting for you as possible. If that means pinstripe suit and leather shoes – knock yourself out. But don’t judge a book by its cover. You’re better than that.
I second you Konstantin Greger Specially with your answer does clothing affect your speaking
Actually everything comes back to self. You are right here. If it affects the self mind than its the problem otherwise any dress will do considering its not too graphic. You are not there to impress with dress that is to be kept in mind. And you should be confident enough in words that the viewers don’t lose your lines and lose them selves in cloths. So fundamentally..whatever one wears it should be relatively less appealing than your words and action in such a program.
Hi Konstantin,
I think some of this is culture- and context-dependent. I take a different approach to my attire when I speak to a group of bankers than I do when I speak to a group of high school students. I also think Nikki is giving some much-needed advice to people who wear clothes that just don’t fit.
You argue that one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and I think we can all agree with that, but I think we can also all agree that the saying exists because not everyone follows the rule! Thus, dressing appropriately can affect how people view a speaker and thus the message being presented.
Thanks for your comment!
Jon
This is fairly basic advice and, from my time in Washington D.C., I can attest that it is sorely needed. The simple idea of buying clothes that fit is not obvious to large segments of the population. Invest in fewer quality items? Yes, yes. Nikki has her work cut out for her.
Aesthetics are not just a mean, but also an end for humans. That most people don’t believe that beauty is worth it for its own sake, like health, love, courtesy and nature, is easily seen in most of the built environment around us.
Also, this piece prompted me to realize that I was running short on suits and went to buy a new one on the same day. Thanks Nikki and Jon!
Great article. Thanks to Nikki and Jon.
After years of working and presenting in downtown DC, I’ve got the DC presentation wardrobe down. Black pants, black or gray blazer, white/black/blue shirt underneath with pointy toed-shoes.
My challenge is presenting outside of the DC area. Heels fit in in DC, but look horribly out of place in other parts of the country. Even black pants feel too formal in most parts of the country. I’ve started packing black jeans when speaking in smaller areas of the midwest/west/south; for a two-day workshop I’ll wear business casual the first day and (if everyone in the room is in jeans) then I’ll wear my jeans the second day.
Perhaps an idea for a future article–how DC-ers can appropriately dress down for non-DC speaking engagements. “In all your spare time.”
it’s really an interesting write up. Your dressing really matters a lot during your public appearance. Being a student of MBA class its my observation that your dressing add plus points in your conficance and your talk. So its my advice to all readers that dress according as per situation.
I dress to impress myself. Looking good, feeling good. I sometimes see pictures on social media that show how people dressed on the 40’s vs now, and it’s really sad.
Great Read!! In fact, such blogs are necessary to read when you learn about professional attire. I came to know some different impressions of colors. Thanks and keep informing.
Very good article. I am a 67 year old male public speaker and am refreshed in learning Millennials are agreeing on the dress. SOME THINGS should never change.
Attached image:
I sometimes see pictures on social media that show how people dressed on the 40’s vs now, and it’s really sad.
Very professional written article. Thanks to Nikki & Jon. Sometimes I see my husband to wear something which I don’t like but he feels comfortable to wear it as you have mentioned in Rule Number 3 – ” Pick what makes you feel confident. Confidence will always show.”
I figure we can likewise all concur that the truism exists on the grounds that not every person adheres to the standard! Subsequently, dressing properly can influence how individuals see a speaker and in this way the message being introduced. I adopt an alternate strategy to my clothing when I address a gathering of brokers than I do when I address a gathering of secondary school understudies.
Very professional written article. Sometimes I see my husband to wear something which I don’t like but he feels comfortable to wear it as you have mentioned in Rule Number 3 – ” Pick what makes you feel confident. Confidence will always show.”
Frost Nyc Reviews
Extremely proficient composed article. At times I see my better half to wear something which I don’t like yet he feels good to wear it as you have referenced in Rule Number 3 – ” Pick what causes you to feel sure. Certainty will forever show.”
True Classic Tees Review