How to Dress for Public Speaking
When a presidential candidate gives an address, his or her choice of clothing is not just whatever was yanked out of a closet or suitcase. There are speech writers and there are speech "dressers." In today's political arena, image is everything, and what a speaker wears is crucial to that image. Read on to learn how to dress for public speaking.
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Instructions
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Realize that different styles of dress will be required for different audiences. This may present problems if you are speaking at different venues during the same day.
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Invest in a wardrobe that is functional and contains within it high quality "basic" items. For example, for men a dark blazer and charcoal grey, mid-weight wool "travel" trousers, and for women, a dark, mid-calf dress are appropriate for many circumstances.
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Pay attention to accessories. For men, ties are a must and for women, scarves and jewelery can make or break an outfit. These offer a non-flashy means of adding color to your image.
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Be sure to be groomed. Men should always have their hair neatly cut and styled. Women should wear flattering makeup and have their hair done in a stylish way.
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Make sure your shoes are always polished--even if it means using an "instant polish" before each appearance.
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Avoid fashion statements.
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Dress reasonably when in a less than standard setting but don't flaunt local flavor. In other words, if speaking at a county fair, wearing brand new cowboy boots risks appearing ingenuous. Wearing comfortable work oxford shoes would not.
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Check for spots and obvious soiling on clothing. Prior to standing on a dias, meals, drinks and dirt can easily find obvious and embarrassing final destinations.
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