What to Wear When You Give a Speech?

In the past we have considered what to wear when you give a speech. And that advice doesn't change much from day to day or month to month or even year to year. Yes, the circumstances do change but what to wear when you give a speech is pretty unchangeable.

And most of the advice appears to be dress for appearance and dress for power and prestige.

So, make sure that your choice of clothes, be it a suit or something smart, gives you confidence and boosts your ability to give a good speech.

Now of course there are exceptions. There are always exceptions. Thus, for example if you are speaking at a sales conference in southern Spain or Arizona and everyone is very casual, then you don't want to be in a three-piece suit. A smart jacket, no tie, chinos is probably what you want to aim for.

Dress for Success When You Give a Speech

But there's another exception. And that exception came to mind last week when we spotted the entertainer himself President Trump, once again in action. Yes, it's clear he really is enjoying this particular 2024 election campaign.

We spotted him giving a speech at yet another campaign rally wearing a day-glow orange jacket. Why, we wondered, had he chosen this form of attire? Well, it's a long story but there had been a photo opportunity during the day that involved President Trump getting into and out of a bin lorry, a garbage truck, for the waiting media.

And apparently it was a good story and also a good press event.So impressed was the Donald with his garbage truck experience that he chose to wear the orange jacket on the stage for the rest of the campaign event. Marvellous.

The President drew a lot of attention to it because it certainly worked very well. Probably the best orange jacket in the whole world. Ever (!) At this moment of course what you wear becomes a prop for your speech.

What You Wear Becomes a Prop for Your Speech

Now we've seen this before with President Trump and we've seen it with other speeches. There was for example in 2020 the Canadian government Minister, Catherine McKenna, who wore a helmet at her speech. Unfortunately she didn't quite know how to wear the construction helmet and it didn't work smoothly.

And then of course there was the President of South Africa who in 2020 got into a spot of bother trying to wear a face mask and speak at the same time. On that occasion choosing what to wear didn't work out. The only good thing for the President was that he acquitted himself well, made light of the situation and certainly didn't take himself too seriously.

What you choose to wear when you next give your speech might not say a great deal about you but it should give you the comfort, the security that comes from knowing that you look good and feel good.

When you need some help with your next speech, then you'll find plenty of top tips for speakers, videos and podcasts here at the art of presentation. And with more than 100 top tips, there's something for every speaking event. Plus, when you want to push yourself that bit further, then you're always welcome to enroll on an online public speaking course.