Presenting a professional appearance is important for two reasons:

#1 You want the audience to think positively about you.

#2 You need to feel confident about yourself.

Dressing well outwardly shows respect for the audience. It says, "I care about my audience and my material enough to dress well.

Appearance is clothes plus the extras. It's the suit you wear, your haircut, your shoe shine, your watch and accessories.

In public speaking, first impressions people have about you are based upon your appearance. Immediately, your audience is sizing you up. The moment you walk in that door, even before you utter a single word, the audience is evaluating you.

If you're dressed like a slob then people will think you're a slob. If you're dressed like a million dollars, then people will feel that what you have to say, will be worth a million dollars.

Now there's little you can do about your height, weight or facial features, but you can enhance your appearance through the proper attire and grooming.

A good rule of thumb is to be at least as well dressed as your audience and probably a little bit better. As a speaker you want the audience to be able to identify with you, but at the same time recognize you as the "expert" who will be speaking to them. If your audience will be wearing suits and dresses, you want to wear your best suit or dress. If the audience is wearing casual clothes, you could wear casual clothes, but make sure they are stylish. When in doubt be slightly conservative.

● The best-selling book "Dress for Success" by John T. Molloy, emphasizes that what you wear does make a difference in how the audience judges you initially. (A companion book for women is called "The Women's Dress for Success.") Research Molloy has done on these subjects is quite interesting. Certainly, what you have to say is more important, but if you say it in attire which is not appropriate, people will not listen.

● It's always amazing that audiences think that the "speaker" has all the answers. Well obviously you don't, but if you dress the part, people will automatically give you a measure of expertise that you couldn't buy anywhere else.

● Joe Girard, who is widely touted as the "Worlds Greatest Salesman," holds the "Guinness Book of World Records" for selling cars. He says, "Look like you're their kind of guy. I wear a sport shirt and slacks. I never wear clothes that will antagonize my customers. That’s exactly what you want to do as a speaker. Never try to under dress or over dress for your audience.

Appearance Guidelines
● Your clothes need to be pressed, clean, well fitting and your shoes should be appropriate and shined.

● Stay away from gaudy jewelry, like lots of gold necklaces or special rings, that might distract the audience from your speech. You are not there to show off your expensive clothes. You are there to deliver a message.

● Empty your pockets of all items or loose change that might interfere with what you have to say. Now is not the time to jingle your keys or change or have your phone start to ring.

● Button your jacket? Unless you are giving a very casual message, it is generally recommended that you button your jacket for a more professional look.

● Eye Glasses...If possible work without them. If you just have reading glasses, try to get the full frame glasses. I've seen people with the half frame glasses, and they peer over their glasses and it's distracting. Watch out for tinted lenses. In cold weather they become dark and make it appear that you are wearing sun glasses. There's statistical evidence in the selling business that people that wear tinted lenses sell less than people who wear clear lenses. Don't wear those little glasses' cords to hold them on. If your glasses tend to slip down, buy nose pads to hold them in place.

● The colors you wear are important also. Some colors are better for some people. There are even books out on the subject, plus people who make a living analyzing what colors are best for you. If you can't afford the professionals, tune in to what people say about how you're dressed. If they say, boy you really look nice in that blue outfit, you can be pretty sure that outfit is good for you.

● For men: If you wear an earring, remove it. Check your tie and fly. Leave your flashy ties at home.

● Dark colors project power and authority. Solid colors are safest. Any patterns should be small or subdued. Bold colors and patterns can be distracting.

● Your comfort is important. Clothing and shoes should be as unrestrictive as possible, so don't break in a new pair of shoes at your speech. Wear a little lighter weight clothing if possible. You will be generating a lot of energy and heat, so keep cool.

● When you look sharp on the outside, you will feel sharp on the inside. Clothes do help your inner self-image. It's not a big factor, but it's a little one that can help you feel more confident and enhance your performance.

Special Note:
If you have to travel to make a speech always carry an extra shirt/outfit with you just in case you spill coffee on the one you're wearing. If you stay overnight, carrying a small travel iron can sharpen your clothes if they have been crumpled along the way.

Exceptions to the Rules

Now the above ideas do hold true for 99.9% of all speakers. There are some speakers however who are so dynamic and enthusiastic, like Leo Buscaglia, that they get away with short sleeved shirts and suits that look like they were purchased at the "Good Will" store. Other speakers such as Wayne Dyer can wear Hawaiian shirts and casual pants, because they charge $20,000 for a speech and are known experts or personalities in their field.