How to dress for a performance in front of an audience - tips for men

By Keren Zarka, fashion designer and founder of the store chain Anna-K, and a graduate The public speaking course January 2009 cycle.

General highlights

Shoes: Feet - deep inside clean and high-quality closed shoes. As in everything - it is better to invest in a quality pair that is intended for work and remains meticulous. Again, just like a business expense. Shoes, although they tend to be neglected with the assumption that they are somewhere below, are in many cases, one of the most important elements of a first impression. Metaphorically, maybe this way you are perceived as someone who knows (or not) where you are going and where you came from.
It is important to emphasize that sneakers, including the most expensive and fashionable ones, are not suitable for formal events and speaking in front of an audience and it is therefore necessary to look for more respectable and formal shoes, and in brown or black color only. The socks must be dark and must not be white. However, in the last decade, a fashion has emerged of men choosing cartoon socks (Disney, etc.) as a way to release a hint of humor under the formal look. Only do this if you know the rest of your performance will be very, very meticulous.

pants:  In the past the rule was very simple, that men needed tailored trousers in brown, black or dark blue. This is precisely where modernity has made men's lives easier - the cotton chino pants and cotton T-shirt of the polo type have become legitimate and impressive clothing - of course if they are the right size and length and of reasonable quality or higher. As for jeans - it is acceptable in positions that want to convey ease and immediacy. He will also be welcomed in creative roles. In a position that requires a projection of authority, it is better to avoid jeans unless it is a teacher or a lecturer - in which case the target audience is always characterized by everyday clothing and the relationship is often unmediated.

Belt: Matches the color of the shoes - for a neat and tidy look. It is advisable to avoid large and flashy buckles.

shirt: Here the men's lives are much simpler than the women's - men's button-down shirts are very similar to each other and it is difficult to make mistakes. If you want to add an original touch, you can wear the button-down shirts with a print on them, but you should be careful because many of the prints are more suitable for a Friday night than a business presentation. In the summer you can definitely go with a short button-down shirt, as long as the sweating problems are under control. Two points about shirts: first of all it is important that the shirt be inside the pants, and secondly it is important not to keep anything in the shirt pocket, especially not pens.

Highlights for a formal appearance

If the dress code is strict, it is advisable to invest in a quality suit. People who live this dress code, bosses or clients, easily spot cheap clothing, which for them will radiate unprofessionalism and sloppiness. Don't underestimate investing in a suit and good shoes. You will often find that this is an investment that pays off quite easily.

A tie is less acceptable in Israel, although there are places or events where it is necessary. In this case, be sure to tie the tie properly so that its tip partially covers the belt buckle, and its tie is tight but not suffocating, and remember that when you speak in front of an audience the need to release your throat is significant. Likewise, tying incorrectly makes the tie too long and then it looks flimsy, or too short and then it looks childish. If you don't know how to tie the tie, there is the common technique of keeping it tied and then wearing it and untying it over the neck, but to keep it straight for a long time it is worth spending a few minutes and learning to tie it yourself.

Jacket or blazer - it is important to invest in one good, therefore expensive jacket, because it will serve you for years to come. Therefore it must be in a solid color (black, gray, dark blue) and without prints or patterns because any other color (green, light blue, brown) is a fashion of one season and cannot be used by you beyond that. It is very important to practice speaking in front of an audience in the store before you buy, to see that all the things you need to do on stage - for example, write on a board or demonstrate a product - can be done comfortably with the jacket without priming in the sleeves or bulging of the lining. The chances are that the pockets of the jacket will arrive sewn - it is advisable that you leave them that way and do not start using them to store things, as this damages their appearance.

 accompanying personal care

Important emphasis regarding sweating: When speaking in front of an audience, especially if it involves movement or is under a spotlight, there is a tendency to sweat excessively. Therefore, it is important to be especially careful about increased use of deodorant and to consider a cotton tank top under the shirt. Contrary to our usual logic where the hotter we wear less, when we have a sweating problem we need a thicker layer to absorb the sweat.

aesthetics: Shaving - make sure to arrive clean-shaven, even if an evening performance requires another shave that day. In the televised confrontation between Kennedy and Nixon, Nixon's stubble could be clearly seen, and this created the impression of fatigue and neglect. If you are going to appear on television you will need to wear makeup, and you might want to look at the article on the subject Makeup for men for a TV appearance. Careful hair - a haircut every three weeks is a reasonable amount of time. clean face Hygienic palms. Yes, you can usually see it even from a distance...

Want to learn to stand in front of an audience? Register now for the course