Dress to impress, not distress
We’d all benefit from a world where people judge us on what we do and say, and not on how we appear. However, the reality is that we humans take in everything about our environment and form opinions on the people in front of us almost immediately.
When you’re giving a presentation, it’s more important than ever to ensure that you make the best first impression. Here are some steps you can take to project yourself in the best light at first glance.
Make the best first impression
To achieve your aims when you’re giving a presentation, you need to do everything in your power to make your audience like and trust you. Considering what you wear for your presentation is part of that, and there are several things you need to consider when picking your outfit for your big moment.
1) Your audience
Giving a presentation to a group of university students will undoubtedly create a very different atmosphere to presenting to a group of senior executives. Consider who you’re presenting to and dress appropriately.
It would probably be worth smartening up your outfit for those senior executives, and dressing down a bit for those students, to help you to build a rapport with your audience.
2) Branding
On top of that, do your best to ensure your dress reflects the values of your company. If your organisation is a start-up that builds apps for children and you’re used to spending your days in jeans and a T-shirt, you might look and feel a bit silly presenting in a formal suit.
On the other hand, if you work for a large investment banking company, you’ll probably look and feel a bit strange wearing anything other than that formal suit.
By all means, dress up or down if you want to, but ensure you stay in your comfort zone.
3) Comfort
Presenting is a physical activity that will usually require you to move around and express yourself. Make sure your outfit makes it as comfortable as possible to do so.
You don’t want to find yourself restricting your movement because your new formal shoes are hurting you or your shirt is too tight.
4) Garish patterns and colours
Yes, you want to stand out from the background when you’re presenting. What you don’t want, however, is for your audience to get distracted by your outlandish outfit choice and walk away thinking “Gosh, did you see that shirt? What were they talking about again?”.
It’s probably best to avoid exceptionally bright colours and in-your-face patterns to ensure your audience’s focus remains on you and your message.
Dress to impress, not distress
‘What not to wear’ is not the usual advice you’ll receive from presentation experts. However, considering your outfit choice is another way to ensure you make the best impression when you give your presentation.
Paying attention to your audience, brand and comfort will help you decide what you should wear, and help you understand how best to establish a positive relationship with your audience.
That Hawaiian shirt your nan got you from her holiday is almost never going to help your cause.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you put together that killer presentation.
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