what to wear for online presentation

• Sep 28, 2020

What to Wear When Presenting Online

Updated: Nov 13, 2023

Not sure what to wear for an online meeting or presentation?

Whether you're presenting a webinar, a masterclass, an online course or just have an important meeting - the first thing people see is you, so it's important you look the part.

You want to make it as easy as possible for people to focus on your content and message as well as get a feel for who you are. 

Here's my top 10 styling tips to help you look and feel your best when presenting online.

1. solid, block colours in medium/medium-high value look best..

They are easy for your audience to focus on and make you stand out. Think blues, reds, pinks, greens, purples, oranges, yellows etc. The green below is in a medium value and is enough so that I stand out without being overwhelming.

2. Prints can be too distracting and tiring to look at.

The below print was too busy for camera, so avoid these at all costs. They not only distract from what you are saying, they are also tiring for your audience to look at, especially if it's a 45 or 60 minute presentation. Subtle prints work can work but I recommend testing it first. You also want to avoid wearing pinstripes, houndstooth or any repetitive pattern because they will strobe on camera.

3. Black can look heavy and harsh

Black is a default choice for many, but you'll want to think twice about wearing this online as it can appear heavy, not to mention being ageing and too harsh for many people with softer colouring. Navy is often a better choice, however on the right person, black can look elegant and sleek, and you can counteract the heaviness with lighter fabrics, softer necklines, short sleeves or add a coloured accessory such as a scarf. Good lighting and makeup for females is also a must

4. Beware of red and white

Bright red can look too extreme on camera, and can also bleed meaning the edges won't look sharp. A better choice would be a deeper, darker, burgundy red rather than a bright one like below. White is another one to avoid as it can be too bright for your audience, making it hard for them to focus.

5. Make sure there is enough contrast between your background and what you wear.

Wear a different colour to your background and make sure there is enough contrast between the two. Really light neutrals like below won't work on a light or white background and vice versa. And while lighter colours may work on a darker background, they still won't give you the same impact as a brighter colour would.

Feeling lost in your style? Take our FREE 3-minute Style Archetype Assessment to discover the attire that resonates with your authentic self and the message you'd like to convey, plus the first 3 steps to take towards your style success.

6. Keep it simple

Keep your necklines and jewellery simple. Remember, it's all about making it easy for the audience to focus on you and what you are saying, so ditch any frills, ruffles or distracting embellishments or jewellery.

7. Go for smooth, plain fabrics

Smooth fabrics look more professional and polished on camera rather than anything that is too heavy or textured. Steer clear of bulky or chunky sweaters, fluffy fabrics or furs, as well as anything shiny or sparkly.

8. Avoid showing too much skin

Keep in mind that your audience only sees you from the waist up, so you'll want to avoid any deep, plunging necklines which can make you seem you are not wearing much at all. Instead, opt for collared shirts, crew necks, mid-high V necks, boat necks or turtlenecks.

9. Be well groomed

Your grooming also makes a strong non verbal statement and affects the way others see you. Paying attention to your hair, makeup, skin and nails will all help ensure that you appear polished and professional.

10. Consider the message and tone that you want to send

Your clothing choices can help set the overall tone for your presentation, so consider the message that you want to send, and the feeling that you want your audience to have when they see you - and match it with your clothing. 

If you're a female professional 35+ and are ready to elevate your personal brand and executive presence through your style, check out my Style Programs here or book a complimentary Strategy session with me.

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What To Wear For A Presentation: Your Ultimate Presentation Outfit Style Guide

Table of contents.

Before you take the stage for your next presentation , let’s raid the closet and pick an outfit that will have your audience impressed and make you standout like the thought leader you are.

What you wear is important as it will have a long-lasting impression with your audience. The clothing you wear is one of the first things your audience will see and if you’re not wearing the appropriate outfit, you will not receive the appropriate reaction.

But we’re beyond judging people for what they wear, aren’t we?

Why Your Outfit Matters For A Presentation

Now, we are in a new age where judging one another for what they wear is no longer tolerated but it is embedded in our nurtured upbringing that has us forming conclusions in our subconscious before we even know it.

Psychology plays a role in presentations. Whether it’s the colors we choose for our slides, how we use our body language to communicate, the presentation aids we use and right down to clothing on our backs, each element of a presentation needs to be carefully curated for our intended audience.

What To Wear For A Casual Presentation

Let’s begin with an outfit good for any occasion.

Throughout your career, you’ll be faced with both formal and informal presentations . More often than not, you’ll be presenting more informal presentations than formal. With the frequency being higher for informal or casual presentations, we need to make sure your closet is well equipped for the occasion.

To be clear, there is nothing too defining of a casual presentation other than that the timing you have to prepare is essentially non-existent and it’s usually presented to a smaller audience. Casual presentations can spring up at any time so the outfit you wear should really reflect who you are on a regular basis.

A casual presentation outfit should be one you feel confident in. It should speak to your character and ensure that you’re not portraying to be someone you’re not. Although we prefaced earlier that your presentation outfit should be adapted to the audience you’re presenting to, it’s going to be quite difficult to do that with a casual presentation as these types of presentations just spring up.

Your natural sphere of influence will help dictate how you dress for a casual presentation as this is the audience you’ll likely be presenting to.

If you spend most of your time in an office environment, a business casual outfit might be the right outfit.

If you’re a trades professor teaching young apprentices how to master a trade, then dirty overalls might be the casual presentation outfit for you.

What To Wear For A Presentation In University

Throughout your university studies, you’ll be required to present individually and in groups from first year to your final year seminars. Depending on the class, you might even be graded on your outfit. For example, many courses in BBA programs require you to present in business formal attire as if you were out in the real world.

Depending on the class, the requirement might be different, but it never hurts to be the best dressed person in the room.

You’ll want to draw inspiration from the real word and dress either business casual or business formal.

Unlike the real world where you’ll be earning “adult money”, in university you need to be savvy on a budget. Consider shopping at chain stores like H&M and Zara where you can suits and dresses which aren’t brand names yet are still fashionable.

You’ll want to avoid anything too flashy like a red dress. Although it’s important to attract attention and keep your audience engaged, you don’t want them to be distracted with your outfit.

What To Wear For A Business Presentation At Work

You’ve graduated from university and are now working in the corporate world.

Depending on the industry you find a job in, your employer will have different dress code expectations. You’ll likely be asked to dress either business casual or business formal.

We’ve broken down the two into their own categories to help you better understand each one.

Business Casual Outfit

With most companies adopting a business casual dress code, you’ll likely be placed in a work environment that adopts a business casual outfit approach.

Business casual takes the key elements and ideas of a business formal outfit such as neutral tone colors and dress pants while getting rid of the signature elements like a suit jacket.

However, if you’d still like to add a bit of flair to your outfit, both men and women can throw a sports blazer on top and keep it unbuttoned or do up the second button to keep it interesting.

Business Formal Outfit

Business formal outfits are timeless.

For the men, a classic, old-fashioned navy suit would be your best outfit for a business formal setting.

For the women, you can’t go wrong with a skirt and a blouse. Feel free to swap the skirt with dress pants should you feel more comfortable wearing pants.

Don’t be afraid to accessorize your outfit as well. As boring as the corporate world may seem, it doesn’t have to be completely boring.

Consider adding a watch or some jewelry to add a pit of pop and personality to the outfit. They can act as great icebreakers and speaking points and also act as a sign of success.

What To Wear For A Presentation At A Conference

Depending on the conference, you’re best to wear a business casual outfit or a business formal outfit with a few exceptions.

The exceptions being modifications to your outfit depending on the venue.

Unlike a business meeting which may be done in a corporate office with standard office lighting, a presentation at a conference might have a stage, professional lighting and unique presentation aids such as green screens should the presentation be recorded for a later date.

If the venue has stage lights, avoid wearing a shiny suit. Instead, opt for a matte finish option.

If your venue has a background such as black curtains, avoid a black suit. You’ll appear to be a floating head in videos and images.

With the advancement of technology, more presentations are being held as virtual presentations . With a video conference you can get away with less by only worrying about what will be seen in the frame such as your shirt, hair or blouse.

At the end of the day, your outfit is only part of the many presentation aids you can incorporate into your presentation to make it stand out .

Author:  Ryan

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9 Things to Wear (and 3 to Avoid) for a Presentation

While the occasion may not come around too often, more likely than not, you’ll have to present your own ideas at work at some point. And before you’re standing in front of your bosses and colleagues sharing that business proposal or pitch, figuring out  what to wear for a presentation should be the least of your worries.

Once you’ve practiced your speech a few times and prepped the room, all that’s left is to dress the part. To take away the added stress of finding the right outfit for your big moment, we tapped Lauren McGoodwin, founder and CEO of Career Contessa , for her best advice on what to wear based on your work environment.

“When dressing for a presentation, it’s important to wear something you’re comfortable in, and something that makes you feel confident,” says McGoodwin. In a formal setting, she recommends a full suit . “I’d recommend going with a fitted black or navy suit, comfortable heel, and classic hair.”

If your office has a more creative flair, don’t be afraid to let that show through your look. “There’s room to experiment, but you still want to keep it professional with fitted pieces, such as a  colorful pencil skirt or a long-sleeve dress,” McGoodwin tells us.

Working at a startup? A casual environment still calls for a level of professionalism during certain moments, and a presentation is no exception. “Denim is pretty widely accepted in the startup environment, but keeping the professional tone, I’d recommend a  dark wash and adding a great blazer .”

McGoodwin also suggests leaving anything that restricts your ability to move at home—after all, this type of meeting requires gestures and movement in the room. She says to leave those ripped jeans, loose-fitting tops, and teetering heels at home for another time. Now, shop our favorite looks to ace your next presentation.

When working in a more formal environment, it's important to dress the part—especially when it comes to giving a presentation. Show your colleagues that you mean business with suit pieces like a blazer and tailored trousers.

Nothing says promotion like a chic power blazer. Available in sizes FR 34 to FR 42.

Dress to impress in this blazer and the matching bottoms ($50) and ace your next presentation. Available in sizes XS to XL.

In this dress, you mean business. Available in sizes 10 to 20.

If you happen to work in a more creative environment that allows a bit more sartorial freedom, let your personality shine while staying polished for your presentation. A textured skirt or pants will pair so well with an easy and chic button-down.

You'll want to wear this print all season long. Available in sizes 34 to 40.

These are so perfect for spring and summer. Available in sizes  2 to 26W .

This skirt will show just the right amount of your personality. Available in sizes 2 to 10.

Just because you work at a casual startup company doesn't mean that you have to dress the part. Stay stylish and professional with a streamlined ensemble of skinny jeans and a top with an unexpected detail.

This twist detail is so unique. Available in sizes 34 to 40.

If you're in a casual startup environment, wear these for work or for the weekend. Available in sizes 00 to 24.

These jeans are so flattering. Available in sizes 24 to 33.

With these pieces, you’ll be sure to command the room the next time you’ve got a presentation in the books.

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14 Best Zoom Outfits To Wear For Any Video Call

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As so many of us are working from home and having daily Zoom meetings, it’s become more and more common to simply stay in your pajamas all day and only look put together for any mandatory camera-on virtual calls. But if daily Zoom calls have become your new normal, your wardrobe might have slowly shifted to the simple clothing style now referred to as, “Zoom casual.”

Or, you may have an upcoming online interview that has you wondering what even counts as acceptable business attire anymore.  Either way, there are Zoom outfits that can help you feel put-together, motivated, professional, and most importantly comfortable enough to accomplish whatever task you have for the day. 

What Should I Wear on Zoom Day to Day?

If you’re feeling burnt out after the last two years of deciding how to look presentable on Zoom , we’ve got help for you. These everyday outfits will help you find your look by pairing clothes together to create easy, fashionable outfits that are not just work appropriate, but comfortable, too! Plus, we love a multi-purpose outfit—that is, an outfit that you can get up from your desk and go right to dinner with friends with minimal (if any!) wardrobe edits!

How To Put Together A Casual Zoom Outfit

Not sure which things go well together in your closet? Zoom casual is all about easy, put together outfits, that are work-friendly, business casual attire on top, and well, comfortable pants or leggings on the bottom. After all, no one is able to see your bottom half—at least not for the foreseeable future!

Even though many of us may still anticipate an eventual return to the office and a full-time business casual wardrobe , Zoom casual allows us to style cozy clothes that we already have in ours closets, showing just how easy it is to dress well on a tight budget!

Start with a structured top

A work appropriate jacket, such as a blazer or a cardigan , can be an easy item to throw on before a Zoom meeting that can instantly upgrade your at-home look. Keep the blazer or jacket in neutral colors—such as tans, blacks or greys—to easily put together outfits with any of the items you already have in your closet. If you want to inject a pop of color, try keeping the rest of your outfit neutral and wear a bright colored top.

Style a Basic Tee or Tank

Shop: Blazer | Basic Tee | Trousers | Chain Necklace | Eyeglasses

When paired with a fitted blazer or jacket, a basic tee or tank is an easy way to always look your best while still staying on a budget. Make sure to avoid anything too low cut or with loud patterns as this can be extra distracting on a conference call.

If you want a more polished look, add a thick, chunky sweater or button up blouse to the look.

Try A Dress or Jumpsuit

Shop: Jumpsuit | Cardigan Sweater | Watch | Pave Hoops | Claw Clip

If there’s one thing that we know, it’s that there is nothing easier than putting on a flowing maxi dress or a comfortable romper, especially on days when you might have pressed the snooze button a few too many times before that important meeting. Having pieces like these in your closet makes choosing an outfit a breeze, since all you have to do is put them on!

Have Fun With Accessories

Since everyone is only seeing you from the waist up, have fun with adding necklaces and earrings to your look. These small pieces can help pull your entire outfit together. Plus, statement earrings or layered necklaces can be a fun way to add a pop of color to any otherwise simple style, while still being a look that is appropriate for the office.

Keep Your Bottom Half Comfortable

Shop: Puff Sleeve Top | Leggings | Puffy Sandals | Gold Hoops | Chain Necklace

Out of sight, out of mind! If no one can see your legs in your virtual meetings, why not stay comfortable? A blazer, tee, and joggers can be a cute outfit that you can put together at home that quickly transitions from your virtual Zoom call to an in-person meetup, date, or errand. Put on the jacket for the call and remove it afterwards for a casual (and comfortable!) athleisure look. We also love to create outfits with leggings , as they are the ideal option for pants that are comfortable, breathable, and versatile.

What should I wear on Zoom for an interview? 

Do you have an online interview coming up? Are you unsure what to wear? We get it! Zoom interview outfits might feel tricky! Online video interviews are becoming more common, but they can be hard to prepare for beyond checking your internet connection and lighting. So, what is an ideal Zoom interview outfit?

Typically, only your upper body is visible during the interview, so focus your attention on the top half of your outfit. You should aim for solid colors that contrast your skin and Zoom background, but some patterns can help add color and dimension. We recommend avoiding stripes or small patterns since they can be an eyesore for others on the call.

When it comes to selecting your interview outfit, you’ll want to consider your comfort, the type of job you’re applying for, and the clothing you’d wear day to day if you got the job. If it’s a casual company, maybe a button-up and statement earrings will do. If it’s a hybrid job, opt for a blazer to show that you can dress business casual when needed. 

Since the focus will be on your upper body, the bottoms you wear don’t matter as much. If having a full, put-together interview outfit helps you focus and feel confident, then go for it! If you’d feel better in joggers or leggings, those are great, too. Dress comfortably so your clothing doesn’t distract you during the interview process, which may mean avoiding noisy fabrics, tight belts, or even wearing slippers to keep your feet warm. 

Easy Professional Layers

Shop: Blazer | Square Tank | Black Trousers | Apple AirPods | Statement Ring

A blazer instantly levels up an outfit, and it’s a timeless business casual staple. You can layer a blazer over any type of top—mock neck, turtle neck, tee, button-up, and so on. In warmer months, wear lighter fabrics to stay cool; in colder months try adding a thin sweater to keep warm. Blazers pair well with trousers, but you could also wear jeans or a skirt.

Keep it Simple with Solids

Shop: White Shirt | Bodysuit | Pants | Chain Earrings | Slippers

Bright colors and small patterns don’t render well on-screen, so stick to solid colors. You can wear neutral colors that contrast with your skin to bring the focus up to your face, which is always a plus during an interview. Even with a single top, make sure you’re comfortable underneath, especially if you are wearing a white or sheer shirt that may turn somewhat transparent in the light. And, a solid color top doesn’t have to mean a boring outfit! You can always bring color to your outfit with jewelry or hair accessories without distracting anyone on-screen.

Try Something Asymmetrical

Shop: One Shoulder Top | Straight Leg Jeans | Embossed Belt | Pearl Earrings | Penny Loafers

During an interview, you want to keep people’s attention, and using visually appealing shapes and colors is fair game. An asymmetrical top calls attention to you, but isn’t too revealing for the occasion. Try one-shoulder tops for this trend, color-blocked shirts, or start even smaller with mismatched earrings. 

More Easy Outfits to Put Together for Any Zoom Call

But, if you are someone who loves to put together a full outfit in the morning, try a pair of jeans . While they might not be as comfortable as biker shorts or leggings—be still our hearts!—there’s something about getting ready in the morning that helps us lead a more productive day .

If you’re feeling in a morning productivity slump, try getting out of your pajamas and getting ready, just like you would if you were headed to the office. The act of getting ready can help you clearly differentiate between your work time and your relaxation time and help you set healthier boundaries when working from home. Plus, sometimes it just feels good to get ready and use those long forgotten hair and makeup products!

Matching Monochromatic

Shop: Cropped Blazer | Trousers | Bodysuit | Chain Hoops | Chain Loafers

Comfortable in a cardigan.

Shop: Lavender Cardigan | Cotton Rib Tank Dress | Claw Clip | Everyday Sneakers

Workwear to streetwear.

Shop: Grey Blazer | V Neck Tee Shirt | Biker Shorts | Gold Hoops | High Top Converse

Cozy loungewear.

Shop: Romper | Cardigan | Stud Earrings | Braided Slide

Coffee shop cool.

Shop: Puff Sleeve Top | Yoga Pants | Stud Earrings | White Sneaker

Just a jumpsuit.

Shop: Jumpsuit | Combat Boots | Gold Hoops

Neutrals all day.

Shop: Cardigan | Maxi Dress | Gold Layered Necklace | Furry Slippers

Blazer & jeans.

Shop: Blazer | White Tee | Jeans | Gold Hoops

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How To Choose A Perfect Presentation Outfit: Best Step-by-Step Guide in 2024

Jane Ng • 08 Apr 2024 • 5 min read

As Jean Cocteau, a French writer, designer, playwright, artist, and filmmaker, stated, “Style is a simple method of conveying complex ideas.” Undeniably, a person’s choice of clothing can significantly impact the perception they create, making it a formidable tool for communication.

So, if you wish to make a strong impression on your audience, the following presentation outfit  tips can assist you in appearing confident and “shining” when you take the stage to speak.

Table of Contents

Why your presentation outfit matters , how to choose a perfect presentation outfit.

• Final Thoughts

Tips for Better Engagement

• Personality in a Presentation
• Stage Fright
• Use  live word clouds  or  live Q&A  to  survey your audience  easier!
• Use  brainstorming tool  effectively by  AhaSlides idea board

Start in seconds.

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Humans are creatures easily impressed by appearance, so your presentation outfit will determine your first impression on your audience. 

Furthermore, it brings personal benefits as it reflects your professionalism, confidence, and competence . A well-groomed and appropriate outfit can boost your self-assurance and comfort, which leads to an improved presentation.

For example, wearing a suit and tie to a business presentation shows that you take the event seriously and well-prepared. On the other hand, wearing casual and wrinkled clothes can show your lack of professionalism and attention to detail. It can reduce the weight of your words.

Moreover, the way you dress can also affect your self-perception. Don’t limit yourself to dull, everyday outfits. Choosing the right costume for your presentation can be a valuable investment in enhancing your success as a speaker.

Here are some tips on how to choose the perfect presentation outfit:

1/ Know Your Audience

A beautiful outfit is not only because of the design but also depends on the wearer choosing the right situation and suitable for their audience. 

Whether you’re presenting in a class or a corporate meeting, it’s essential to identify your audience. 

• For example, a suit and tie may be appropriate for a formal business presentation, while a more casual, creative gathering may allow for a more relaxed look.

Besides, you should wear clothes with light or neutral colours, limiting cumbersome designs or patterns.

2/ Dress for your body type

An outfit that is too wide or too tight not only does not enhance the beauty of your body but also makes you look sloppy and less confident when appearing in front of a crowd. By determining the right body type, you will have the right clothing choices: 

• If you have a slender figure, consider wearing clothing made from lightweight, flowing fabrics to add volume to your frame.
• On the other hand, if you have a full frame, minimalist designs in structured and firm materials will be your best bet.

If you’re unsure what looks best, try a few options and see what feels the most comfortable and confident.

3/ Choose the right colors

Color plays a significant role in creating a visual impression on others. For this reason, it’s best to choose neutral hues that evoke a warm and welcoming vibe, such as navy blue, white, pink, and soft pastel tones. 

These shades are versatile and suitable for a range of events, skin tones, and personal preferences. They are considered to be approachable and work well for many people.

4/ Pay attention to details

When putting together a presentation outfit, it’s essential to pay attention to even the smallest details. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to the details of your presentation outfit:

• Cleanliness. Make sure your outfit is clean and free of any stains or spills. 
• Free of wrinkles. A well-pressed outfit is a sign of attention to detail and professionalism. Ensure your clothes are free of wrinkles and creases and that your collars, cuffs, and hemlines are neat.
• Accessories. Choose accessories that complement your outfit and do not overpower it. Stick to a simple and understated look to avoid distractions.
• Matching. Make sure that your accessories match your outfit in style and colour. 

5/ In conclusion, be yourself 

It’s crucial to remember that following these tips doesn’t mean much if you’re dressing in a way that feels unnatural to you. If you have a creative personality, showcase it through your outfit choice. 

For example, if you feel that wearing bold and striking colors will enhance your presentation, then wear bold and striking colors.

Keep in mind that the content of your presentation and the way you introduce yourself are the most critical factors. However, confidence can significantly impact the overall outcome of your performance. The way you dress and how you feel about it affects your true self, so choose an outfit that makes you feel confident.

In conclusion, the biggest takeaway is that confidence and staying true to your personal style is the best outfit you can wear. Everything else is secondary. So, focus on feeling confident, and the rest will fall into place.

Final Thoughts 

Finding the perfect presentation outfit on the first try is difficult. If you are confused, you can consult with friends or find inspiration from the star, a fashionista with the same body shape and pursuing the style you love. Remember to be honest with yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What impression do you want to leave the audience? Once these questions are answered, finding the perfect outfit won’t be too far off the mark.

What if you’ve found the right outfit for you and now want to make presentations interesting and creative, and engage your audience even more? Discover the public template library of AhaSlides now!

A writer who wants to create practical and valuable content for the audience

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How to dress for a presentation - Master the 4 F's

Goal clarification? Check. Presentation content? Check. Rehearsal? Check. Outfit? Say what? Most people giving presentations pay a lot of attention to their content. And rightly so. But they often do not recognize the impact that their physical appearance has on the success of their presentation.  Others do appreciate the value of looking the part but they are not sure exactly how to do it. They might not even be sure what the part is! In this article, I will give you four easy and practical guidelines on how to dress for a presentation. This will help you put together an effective outfit for your presentation situations. Let us begin.This is the third article in a series on how to dress for a presentation. If you are wondering why this even matters, I recommend you read the first post . For an overview of important guidelines to consider in choosing what to wear for a presentation, read this post. Now, let's get into the four "F"s that you can use to determine exactly what to wear for a presentation.

#1 - Formality

Imagine your colleague showing up in coattails and a top hat to next Wednesday's routine 3 pm project update meeting. That colleague will certainly get noticed – but probably not in the right way. People will check him out. And maybe even check him in. Don't be that person. It is probably just as bad to show up in shorts and a t-shirt.As discussed in post 2, there are 3 major determinants of how you clad yourself for a presentation. Once you clarify these points, you must also consider the occasion. That is, the social context in which you will be speaking. Is it a casual team meeting or is it a black-tie event?Gauge the formality of the event and dress accordingly. As a general rule, be at least as well dressed as your audience. If they will be wearing business suits, wear a business suit, at least. There are exceptions of course – but these are rare and will not apply to most professional contexts.

Master the scale of formality

The formality scale for clothing exists in every culture. I do not know of any society where people typically wear the same clothes to weddings as they do to perform housework. Clearly, as humans, we universally subscribe to the concept of dress codes – the garb may differ but the custom prevails.

The Western scale of formality

In Western culture, as with most, the formality scale ranges broadly from casual to formal. I found a useful pictorial representation of this concept at the time of publishing this article at Webfx.com . See below.

A simple guideline on formality for choosing how to dress for a presentation

Even though this focusses on Western dress codes, you can certainly apply the principle to any culture. The clothes that are worn may change, but the recommendation remains the same.And what is the recommendation? It is deceptively simple – dress one step further on the formality scale than your audience. For example, if the audience will likely be in business casual attire, then wear a more formal smart-casual combination.

Why more formal?

It is about credibility and leadership. This may sound pretentious and even arrogant but if you are thinking this, then perhaps you have not read the previous posts where we covered this misconception. In summary, dressing this way shows your respect for the audience, the event, yourself and your message.

Why only one step?

I will admit that this is a general rule. You may choose to dress up to two steps higher but I do not recommend any more than that. Going up to three (or four) notches higher than your audience means you risk alienating yourself from them like our tailcoat wearing colleague from the example above. Use your best judgement based on this consideration.In summary, dress at least as well as your audience in terms of formality. Slightly more formal is better. Less formal is ill-advised.

There is an ancient saying from the Yoruba tribe in Western Africa that loosely translates thus:"How well your clothes suit you is more important than how nice they are or how much they cost"This is especially important for you as a presenter. You will likely be at least a few feet from the closest audience member during most of your speech. And probably several feet from most of the rest of the audience. At such a distance, most people will not be able to judge what brand of clothing you have on or what materials your clothes (or accessories) are made of. But they will be able to notice how well the clothes fit.

How well your clothes suit you is more important than how nice they are or how much they cost - Ancient Yoruba proverb

What is good fit?

Good fit is unobtrusive but functional. Well-fitting clothes do three simple things

They allow you to be comfortable

They flatter your natural figure

They hide any imperfections so that you look your best

To be sure, this is not about body-shaming. It is about wearing clothes that send the right message about you and eliminate distractions. Nobody has the perfect body (what is perfect anyway?). We are all doing the best with what we have.

...this is not about body-shaming. It is about wearing clothes that send the right message about you and eliminate distractions.

Choose clothes that you feel confident in. The clothes should be neither too baggy nor too tight. Baggy communicates sloppy and tight clothes can be restricting and hence distracting. Make sure the clothes fit well around the shoulders, torso and mid-section. What "fits well" will differ between cultures. In Western attire, this means that the clothes fit fairly close to the body with minimal excess fabric while still allowing for free movement.In summary on this point, pay attention to fit. You don't have to go out and spend a fortune but you do want to think about how your clothes look on you. Fashion trends come and go but your understanding of what suits you is what really matters in choosing how to dress for a presentation.

#3 - Function

What will you be doing during your presentation? Will you be sitting, standing, moving around, drawing or writing on a screen or flipchart, demonstrating the use of a tool? All these will have an impact on what you wear. Ideally, if your clothes fit well, you can make most basic movements with ease.

Ideally, if your clothes fit well, you can make most basic movements with ease.

However, if your presentation will require a lot of mobility, then dress in a way that allows you that mobility without completely sacrificing the other elements we have been considering so far in this series. For example, if you will be moving about a lot, wear shoes with good traction. You don't want to slip and fall. No, not running shoes – I am talking about rubber-soled dress-shoes.  If you will need to make big gestures with your hands a lot or do a lot of writing on a flipchart or screen, limit the number of layers on your sleeves so that you are not restricted.The considerations are as varied as the possible scenarios. I recommend doing a literal dress rehearsal. Rehearse in the clothes you plan to wear on the day of the presentation. Not only will this reveal whether or not you have the right outfit in terms of function, it will help you get comfortable wearing those clothes and that will help your confidence on the day of the presentation.

Pop quiz – where should the audience focus be directed to for the majority of your presentation?

Your presentation slides

Their phones

Random thoughts

Ok, I was being a bit playful with that one. There were only two serious options there. But the right answer is option 2 – you. Specifically, your face. Yes, you want the audience to look at your slides every now and then but if you have designed your speech and your presentation slides correctly, the audience should only be referencing the slides as a visual aid and not the main attraction. They are there for you – not your slides. And that brings me to an important point.

Look me in the eye

The decision of what to wear for a presentation should always be influenced by where you want to direct the audience's attention when you are speaking. Most times, this will be your face. Therefore, if any aspect of your outfit is distracting the audience from your face, it is not serving you.No one thing should stand out in your outfit so much that it takes the attention from your face. Everything should work harmoniously to create a positive impression overall. You want to look put together not slapped together.

You want to look put together not slapped together.

Items to say no to include but are not limited to:

No loud shoes

I know they cost a lot of money but save them for another time. Stick with plain dark shoes. If you will wear two-toned shoes, try to keep the tones dark and closely matched.

No overly glittering (read tacky) jewellery

These can be very distracting especially when you move and the lights hit them. Done especially badly, jewellery can also make you look gaudy – not what you want probably. If lighting will not be a problem, you can have one or two pieces on - just not too many and not too large.

You will probably be presenting indoors so ditch the hat. This varies across cultures though so do your homework if you will be presenting in an unfamiliar cultural context.

No flashy socks or loudly patterned leggings

These can be distracting if they will be seen as you walk. This is made even worse when your hosiery contrasts strongly with your trousers or skirt. Tread with caution.

No very heavy make-up

Sounds like a contradiction since it should be drawing attention to your face. Except it isn't – heavy makeup draws attention to itself – in a bad way. You will rarely go wrong by keeping it understated and elegant.

Putting it all together

How to dress for a presentation is ultimately about respect for the audience, the context, yourself and your message. Add to these an understanding of your body and what looks good on you, and you will be able to put together an outfit like a pro – and look like one too. Your audience may not know how much thought has gone into it, but they will notice that you look like the kind of person they want to listen to. This will boost your credibility , increase your influence and raise your chances of success. All good things as I am sure you will agree.Until the next post, speak with skill and be your best.

Anthony lives to help organizations and individual thrive! He is an author , speaker, consultant and coach specializing in personal effectiveness and productivity,

He used to be an engineer making use of tools, now he helps professionals use the right tools to make the most of themselves.

Follow Anthony on LinkedIn and subscribe to the blog to keep in touch.

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Presentation Preparation: 5 Tips on What to Wear

December 8, 2014 / Blog presentation preparation, presentation tips, what to wear for presentations

To get the audience on your side, you need to show them that you’re a credible and reliable source . In other words, you’ll have to establish rapport by making a positive first impression. We spend a lot of time carefully planning and preparing visuals that will help enhance our presentations. Why can’t the same be true for the way we present ourselves to an audience? If you do it right, the clothes you wear can be a great way to make a statement and inject some personality into your presentation.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re deciding what to wear for a presentation:

Dress for the occasion

As with most things, presentation wear depends on the context of a given situation. Before you can decide which clothes to wear, you need to consider key details about your presentation. Even if they seem unrelated to clothing, the information you have will actually help you set some parameters and decide what type of look you should go for.

What is your presentation about? If you’re set to deliver an executive report, it makes sense to be in business formal attire. On the other hand, if you’re leading a seminar, you might be allowed to go for something a little less formal. What about the venue of your presentation? If you’re presenting within your organization, your choice of clothing will obviously depend on a specific dress code. If you’ll be at a trade show or conference, you can take into account the culture within the industry. Those working in more creative fields can opt to wear something casual. Meanwhile, people working in investment and finance will be restricted to more conservative choices like tailor-fit suits and dress shirts.

Think of what the audience might wear

Another way to figure out an appropriate attire is by thinking of what the audience might wear. If there’s one rule to keep in mind about what to wear for presentations, it’s that you should always dress slightly better than the people you’re addressing. Who are you expecting in your audience? If you’re delivering an executive presentation, come to the venue in your best suit. For less formal crowds, your safest bet is to dress in business casual.

Business casual is your middle ground. It’s the perfect choice for situations when you’re not expecting a highly formal crowd, but you don’t want to risk looking too sloppy either. Scott Schwertly of Ethos3 describes it as “the grey zone of office dressing.” For men, you can opt to dress down your button-down shirts with a pair of khakis and loafers. James Wilson, a contributor for the Business Insider, provides a complete guide to business casual for men . For women, you can choose to wear your trousers with a blouse and cardigan. The blog Corporette offers some pretty useful tips for women struggling to find the balance between formal and casual.

Don’t neglect comfort

Body language plays an important role in presentation delivery. As we’ve noted before , you can’t just stand in one spot throughout an hour-long presentation. Audiences want to see something dynamic and engaging. To do that, you need to be mindful of your non-verbal cues. Wearing clothes that restrict your movement will definitely harm your ability to deliver a great presentation.

Prioritize your comfort by wearing clothes that fit you well. If you wear anything that’s too tight or too loose, you might eventually find yourself fidgeting with your clothes. To avoid distracting the audience, wear clothes that you don’t have to adjust constantly. For women, expect that you’ll be on your feet for most of the time. Heels might add an elegant touch to what you’re wearing, but they might also cause you great discomfort after some amount of time. If you’re someone who isn’t used to wearing high heels, you can opt for wedges or low-heeled dress shoes instead.

Avoid bright colors or distracting prints

As a presenter, it’s your job to make sure that the audience remains attentive and engaged. Considering how short our attention spans have gotten, you should assume that the littlest things can easily prove distracting. Aside from constantly fidgeting with your clothes, you can also distract the audience by wearing pieces with bright colors and over-the-top prints.

While an interesting design can add personality to your outfit, anything that’s too loud can easily attract unwanted attention. To experiment with color, choose a more muted shade and balance it out with something more neutral. For example, you can opt to wear a deep green tie paired with classic colors like white, black, or grey.

For women, you can add a bit of creativity to your outfits by wearing some jewelry. When choosing accessories, make sure you avoid pieces that are too large or noisy like hoop earrings and bangles. Instead, you can go for a simple necklace and a pair of stud earrings.

Pay close attention to details

Once you’ve finally decided on what to wear, you need to make sure that every detail is perfect for your presentation. While the audience might not see that your shirt is missing a button from afar, they might notice it once you’re networking around the room. Check the clothes you want to wear for anything amiss, like a loose thread or a small stain. You should also take the time to polish your shoes. For women, be sure to check your stockings for runs. If you notice wrinkles on your shirt right before you face the audience, you can check our presentation hack for a quick fix.

Aside from that, it’s also important to make sure your hair is well-groomed. Women should keep their hair out of their face with a bun or a ponytail. It’s also important to have a bit of makeup on. Meanwhile, men should always make sure to trim or shave their facial hair.

Remember that first impression are especially crucial when delivering presentations. Control how the audience perceives you by taking extra care with the clothes you choose to wear.

READ MORE: 

• What to Wear for a Presentation – Chron
• What to wear during a Business Presentation – Art of Public Speaking
• How To Avoid Disaster – Six Rules For What To Wear When Giving A Speech – Forbes

Images:  Robert Sheie  via  Flickr

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What to Wear for a Presentation: 10 Tips

by Rob Biesenbach | Presentation/Speech Tips

Like it or not, audiences are making all kinds of conscious and unconscious judgments about you before you even utter your first word. They’re looking for clues about whether you’re worth their attention, and most of those clues come from your appearance — your posture, your gait, your hair and, yes, your wardrobe.

So it’s really important that you set the right tone from the start, and wear clothes that make a strong first impression or, at minimum, don’t undermine you.

Here are my tips on common wardrobe pitfalls and how to avoid them..

1. Dress to Feel Good

Most of us have a go-to outfit or article of clothing like this in our closet. Choose that and you’re much more likely to feel poised and confident in front of an audience.

2. Dress to Look Good

Of course, there are reasonable limits to Rule 1. If your “feel good” clothes are the ones you wear to mow the lawn or go to the gym, that’s obviously not going to work for a big presentation.

The traditional rule of thumb is that you should dress one level above your audience. In the business casual era, that’s getting harder to figure out, but the general principle is, if your audience is wearing sport coats, you wear a suit, if they’re in khakis and button downs you put on a sport coat, etc.

And I apologize. I know these examples are completely male-centric, but that’s what I happen to be. If you’re looking for advice specific to women, there are people (women) to consult who are more qualified  than I am to weigh in on this.

The bottom line is, your wardrobe should help you project authority. You should look like you belong up there sharing knowledge with a group. So whatever level of dress you wear, from a t-shirt to suit, it should be high quality, well tailored and contemporary.

3. Dress for the Audience/Venue

Figuring out what to wear for a presentation used to be so easy. Throw on a business suit and tie (or a sharp dress or suit for women) and you were all set. But outside of a few industries, hardly anyone wears neckties these days. (And even for those professions that do, like the law, they usually dress down for conferences and similar events.)

So you want to look to your audience for context. The tech industry is a widely cited example — show up at a conference of developers in a suit and tie and you’ll be written off as old-fashioned and out of touch.

But you never know. I have one client whose people all wore suits and ties to my workshops; on the other hand, I spoke to a bunch of lawyers who were dressed in jeans.

The smart thing to do is to check with the organizers in advance and to dress with flexibility in mind so you can change things up on-site (add a tie or shed a jacket, for instance).

4. Dress for Your Brand (Who You Are)

Your clothes should match who you are. A zany creative type will probably dress in an edgy or avante garde way. A risk management consultant would look more at home in a conservative suit.

It all depends on where you “belong” — in the boardroom or the backroom.

Also, a suit and tie doesn’t have to be stodgy. A trendy outfit — slim pants, fitted jacket, narrow tie, spread collar — makes a statement of its own.

5. Avoid Brand New Clothes

Always road test your outfits before wearing them on stage. Standing in the spotlight in front of several hundred people is a terrible time to find out that your shirt has an annoying tag that chafes your neck or your pants get easily wrinkled or your fabric is more sheer than you expected.

6. Don’t Try to Be Hip if You’re Not

The latest uniform among middle-aged men seems to be jeans, sport coats and t-shirts. If you’re going to try to pull this off, here are a few guidelines:

• Invest in high quality, fashionable jeans tailored to your physique. The cool factor you’re going for will be totally undermined by “dad (or mom) jeans,” baggy, slouchy jeans, or the kind of jeans you’d wear to mow the lawn.
• Make sure you wear a blazer or sport coat that pairs well with jeans. I see a lot of guys throw on what is very obviously a suit jacket over jeans and that is wrong, wrong, wrong. Read up on the important difference between suits, sport coats and blazers.
• If you must wear a t-shirt (as opposed to, say, a button down), make sure it’s a nice one that fits well and isn’t all stretched out or faded. And if the label says “Hanes” or “Jockey” what you have is an under shirt.

7. Keep it Simple

If the audience’s main takeaway is remembering what you wore, you’re doing it wrong. Unless you have a certain brand that calls for bright red pants or a hat with a giant yellow feather, it’s best to dress simply. Avoid colors or accessories or jewelry that might distract the audience, make noise or cause a glare under stage lights.

8. Wear Something that Holds a Lavalier

The best placement for a lavalier (clip-on) microphone is centered on your upper chest. People often clip them to a lapel, but that’s a bad idea because every time you turn your head, the sound level will change.

The ideal thing to wear to accommodate a lavalier is a button down shirt (it should go near the second button) or a necktie (clip it a few inches below the knot).

For everything else, it all depends on the type of clips the AV people have and whether there are actual AV pros there at all. Do your research  or consult an AV professional (which I am NOT) if you can.

9. Double-check the Program

This is a funny one. A friend recently reported feeling chagrined to discover that the outfit she was wearing for a speech was the same appearing in her conference program photo.

I personally have given up worrying about this, as I happened to wear a favorite outfit in my headshots and I don’t have enough clothes to just stop wearing it for speeches!

But if this is an issue for you, keep it in mind. Also, it’s one more good reason to dress in something basic and neutral — either for your headshot, on stage or both.

10. Take Off That Name Tag!

Most of all, focus on what matters.

Off the top of my head I can list more than a dozen things more important to a presentation’s success than your choice of clothing: the power of your ideas, how clearly they’re structured, the energy and passion you bring to them, your connection to the audience, the way you move and gesture, and more.

Compared to all that, figuring out what to wear for a presentation seems downright trivial. But an inappropriate outfit can handicap you from the start. And the right one can make a subtle but important difference in the way you feel and the authority you project.

When it comes to presentations, the little things often add up to something big, so a few extra moments’ consideration — and some extra investment — should be well worth it.

Photo Credit: Orbmiser Flickr via Compfight cc

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Zoom Meeting Outfits | 16 Best Outfits for Virtual Meetings

Zoom Meeting Outfits. The events of this year have been no less than dizzying, with many – if not most – of us navigating a whole new way of doing life. One of the most universal changes has been an uptake on video-conferencing.

Now more than ever, we are staying connected via laptop screens and mobile devices and it has been an adjustment, to say the least. And with many of us working from home, Zoom meetings and other forms of conferencing have become our go-to form of staying connected with coworkers, bosses, and clients. Not to mention events like family celebrations, happy hour with friends, or check-ins with the grandparents.

What to Wear for a Zoom Meeting

In today’s article, we are going to be talking about Zoom meeting outfits: what to wear, the best pieces to wear, what to avoid, and more. We will be leaving the discussion of how to set up Zoom, how to download it, or install it, to other sites. There are various tips they will share, like best camera angles and ways to change your Zoom meeting background. But here at Outfit Trends, we are all about outfits and style. So that’s what we’ll be sharing today. Let’s get started.

There are quite a few things to consider when planning your Zoom meeting attire. Here are some things to keep in mind, as well as some tips for cute, stylish, maintainable attire.

• Wear a bright-colored blouse . This may go against typical reasoning as you might be tempted to dress for a Zoom meeting the way you would a TV interview. But in reality, you will be using your laptop or an attachable webcam for your Zoom meetings, and neither are known for their quality. A bright colored top can really help brighten things up, as well as enable you to stand out amidst a gray or blurry scape. This is even more applicable if the wall behind you is plain.
• Avoid a low-cut neckline or a too-high neckline. Why? A low-cut neckline will draw attention away from your face and should be avoided if you are doing a work-related meeting. Plus, they become a distraction as they need to be constantly adjusted or fixed. However, a too-high neckline can be problematic for other reasons: you could wind up looking like a floating head! For that reason, you’ll want to avoid turtlenecks, button-ups, mock-necks, etc. So look for blouses that hit right in the middle and that don’t require fidgeting or any type of maintenance.
• Avoid fitted or super-structured tops. Because you’ll probably be sitting behind a desk, you’ll want to avoid wearing anything that pulls or tugs across your middle or shoulders, anything that gaps (so avoid button-ups, if you can), or anything too tight. To get the perfect Zoom outfit, you’ll want a comfortable top that fits you well and doesn’t stretch uncomfortably across your chest.
• Go for some type of sleeve. By wearing sleeves, you’ll avoid any renegade bra straps making an appearance.
• As tempting as it may be not to do so, do wear proper pants! If you have to jump up to grab something or need to take a bathroom break, you will want to be wearing a full outfit e.g., not your favorite pajama pants or boxer shorts. That would be quite embarrassing!

Now that we have the basics down pat, let’s move on!

We have compiled 16 fantastic Zoom meeting outfits for you to check out and be inspired by. Have a look!

↓ 16 – Polka Dot Chiffon Blouse

When it comes to zoom meetings, it doesn’t get much better than this. This top is everything we recommend: it’s light blue, which is a refreshing color. It features a cute pattern. It has a partial v-neck which is feminine without being revealing. It features three-quarter length sleeves. Lastly, it’s not overly structured and fits loosely but well! We also love the addition of a bright pink lip which helps your features stand out.

↓ 15 – Floral Top and Jeans

Here we see a great option for a zoom meeting: this aquamarine floral top is bright and refreshing and ridiculously pretty. The open collar won’t conceal your neck and it looks great with a pair of jeans. Style your hair casually and go for a neutral makeup look. Here are some more Work From Home Outfits That Are Comfy & Chic.

↓ 14 – Puff Sleeve Eyelet Top

For those last-minute meetings where you need to look professional but not overly dressed, this eyelet top is everything you need! Simply pop it on and tuck into a pair of high-waisted trousers. (Nothing too tight though.) A simple pulled back hairdo will complete the look.

↓ 13 – Mustard Yellow Top with Tie-Neck

A super-easy way to make any top look more chic is by tying a loose scarf around the neck or by getting yourself a tie-neck top. This color will also keep from blurring you out and looks great with a dark red lip. Pull your hair back in pieces and secure it with bobby pins for a sweet hairstyle.

↓ 12 – Knotted Scarf & Purple Jacket

If you want to make a good impression on a prospective client, this chic ensemble will do the trick. A dark purple jacket matched with a coordinating plaid scarf looks fantastic over a neutral top. Pull back your hair in a casual bun and add teardrop earrings to tie the look together.

↓ 11 – Baby Blue Blouse

This right here is one of our top favorite looks for a Zoom meeting. It’s feminine, chic, and professional. Plus, this shade of blue will stand out nicely on a gritty Zoom call. Pair with casual pants or with a high-waist skirt – especially if you think you’ll have to stand up at some point in the meeting. While you don’t have to go all out with your hair and makeup, it really does pull the look together. We love!

↓ 10 – Patterned Top & Trousers

Here is another fabulous look you can try. A short-sleeve blouse featuring a cute print goes a long way in creating a stylish and beautiful video conference ensemble. We also love these loose pants that are comfy but endlessly chic.

↓ 9 – Salmon Pink Blazer

A super-easy way to bring some color into any look is by adding a bright-colored blazer.

↓ 8 – Vertical Stripe Top

Vertical stripes are slimming and a v-neck is flattering. (But if you think it might be too low-cut, simply layer it with a camisole underneath.) Pair with joggers for a comfy and cozy finish to the look.

↓ 7 – Print Peplum Top

When in doubt, a pretty print peplum top (try saying that three times fast!) looks great with trousers. Wear with slides or slippers and your feet will thank you! If you like wearing peplums, here are some awesome ideas on how you can style them for Summers and Winters .

↓ 6 – Best Color to Wear For Zoom Meeting

Dressing for zoom calls can get a little boring. Liven it up with a bright pink blazer! This is a great color to wear for a zoom meeting. It’s bright and draws the eye and will look cute even when pixelated. This plus-size ensemble is great for executive meetings and client chats. While we don’t like to see too much white in a zoom meeting outfit, the pink blazer breaks it up and will be the focal point.

↓ 5 – Puff Sleeve Blouse & Pretty Headband

You will know if a headband like this is too casual for your work atmosphere. We don’t recommend wearing it in a very corporate one. However, in some cases and with some meetings, a pretty headband can breathe new life into a basic Zoom outfit. A puff sleeve blouse is great if you work in the creative or fashion industry. Accessorize with some beaded jewelry and slip on your favorite jeans. Finito!

↓ 4 – Casual Styling

At this point of the game, chances are your regular Zoom meeting attire is quite relaxed and casual. If so, why complicate things? A simple short-sleeve top in a rich color will do the trick nicely. All the necessary bits are well-covered and you can feel comfortable as well as put-together with a simple outfit like this. Pair it up with your favorite stretch fit jeans and style your hair in a simple ‘do with basic makeup.

↓ 3 – Sweater & Slacks

You can’t go wrong with a sweater. Not only is it soft and comfy but it offers sleeves and a proper neckline, too. Try and go for a crewneck over a mock neck or a turtleneck; you can also opt for a brighter color sweater as well, especially if the wall behind you is a similar shade or tone. If not, rock your soft neutrals and pair up your top with a comfortable pair of slacks. Go barefoot or slide on some comfy flats. Here are the Best Styles of Sweaters for this Season.

↓ 2 – White Blazer & Blouse

If you happen to have a well-decorated background (and aren’t worried about blending into it) then a white top and blazer are a great option. This is a chic, comfy, but stylish look that doesn’t require constant fidgeting or adjusting in order to look good.

The v-neck is a great pick as well: it shows just enough of the neck to show people you have one, but it’s not so low-cut that it is unsuitable. A blazer is instantly business-casual. You can go for leather or vinyl leggings for a comfy fit and skip the shoes because there are in fact some benefits to video-conferencing and we don’t intend to forget them.

↓ 1 – Totally Fun & Chic Outfit

Alright, alright, we know. This isn’t exactly work meeting attire. But! There are plenty of fun occasions that crop up via the magical airwaves of Zoom, and when it boils down to it, it’s 2020 and we are pretty sure there are no rules anymore.

After all, where else are you going to wear your most slaying looks these days? Instead of letting them go to waste, why not whip them out and have some fun with them? On the one hand, your clients or coworkers might appreciate a healthy dose of fashion goodness. On the other, so will literally anyone you have a Zoom meeting with.

So, go ahead and liven up the party (or meeting) with a bright pink vinyl jacket or trenchcoat… just skip the booties, as they will likely go unappreciated tucked under your desk. You’re welcome!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about what to wear for a Zoom meeting. Here they are!

Q. How should I dress for a Zoom meeting?

A. It depends on the nature of the meeting (a prospective client versus a weekly chat with your boss and coworkers) but in most cases, you should dress in business-casual attire. (Unless your job has specific dress requirements.)

Q. W hat is the best color to wear for a Zoom meeting?

A. We recommend bright colors, when possible. A bright color will liven up a gray or blurry webcam image and helps provide contrast if you are sitting in front of a plain wall. Try blue, red, green, or yellow, to start with. Other options include a nice print on your blouse or a neutral shade, particularly if you have a busy background.

Q. Should I dress up for a Zoom meeting?

A. Not necessarily. Unless you are required to or you are meeting with top executives or prospective clients, a simple blouse and blazer combo is fitting.

Q. How to look good on Zoom?

A. It can be a teensy bit challenging to really feel like your best self on a Zoom call due to poor lighting and camera quality. So, here are a few tips:

• Get yourself a ring light. This can be a little bit of an investment but if you know you are going to be doing Zoom calls regularly, it might be worth it.
• If a ring light isn’t possible, try and set up your laptop near a good source of natural lighting (i.e. a window).
• Style your hair and use a bold shade of lipstick. Because of its typically blurry nature, our best features can sometimes get lost while doing a Zoom meeting. Flyaways (particularly if you sit near a window) will detract from a polished appearance.
• Check your camera angle and don’t sit too close to the camera.

Check out this video for an easy Zoom setting trick that will make you look instantly better.

And that’s a wrap! Did you find this article helpful? Are you excited about your next Zoom meeting now that you have some ideas of what to wear? Let us know in the comments below!

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R.H. Elias is a freelance writer, aspiring author, and freelance transcriptionist. She is a homebody all the way and loves curling up on a cold, rainy day with a good book and a warm cup of tea. Her favourite pastimes include reading, writing, and watching period films. She currently lives in Puerto Rico.

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What to wear for public speaking (and what absolutely positively not to wear) before your next speech

by Kolarele Sonaike

I wasn’t really naked. I simply didn’t have any clothes on – Josephine Baker

What to wear. What to wear. What to wear for public speaking.

What to wear for public speaking is a much more important question than even I used to think. In my practice as a barrister, the options for clothes were pretty limited. Dark Suit, white shirt, dark tie, dark shoes, dark gown – and on top of it all a funny looking white wig made of horse hair! First impressions matter in all things, and public speaking is no different. Even before you say your first word, the audience will make a silent judgment about you, based largely on the way you look. Make the right impression, and you’ll get the audience on side from the start. Get it wrong, and however strong your speech, your audience will spend the whole time distracted by your clashing colours.

From the jeans and turtleneck of Steve Jobs to the colourful and elegant headscarves of Malala Yousafzai, what you wear can often have as much impact on the message people receive, as what you actually say.

So before you suffer your next wardrobe malfunction, here are some tips to consider on what to wear for public speaking and what you absolutely positively should not wear before your next speech. It’s a long list, but don’t be scared. The one rule to rule them all is… Be Yourself!

The Three Things to Think About

When it comes to choosing what to wear for public speaking, there are basically three things to think about:

• Comfort & Practicality

“Style is whatever you want to do, if you can do it with confidence” George Clinton

S ubstance, of course, is key when it comes to speechmaking. You can’t get away with weak content and cover it up by looking good. But beyond the content of your speech, the style you bring to the stage is still massively important for two big reasons: One – the impression your audience gets of you; Two – the confidence you get from looking good.

Annie Francesca, the Reinvention Stylist recommends that we ask ourselves

“ What clothes can I wear that will make me feel powerful? Look for clothing that makes you feel as if you are literally wearing a superhero cape. When you dress in the way that reflects the person you want to show up on stage, you literally attract that magic”

The things to consider when thinking about the style of what you wear are:

• do you personally feel confident in the outfit?
• can you add a signature piece? Something that uniquely represents you? (I have a thing for yellow socks!)
• choose your primary colour carefully (here’s a good article for the meaning of certain colours)
• think about the backdrop to your speech (if it’s going to be a black backdrop you probably want to avoid black clothes; if you’ve got a white backdrop or screen, avoid white – especially if you’re going to be on video as light levels can play havoc with white clothes)
• hair – if you’re follicly challenged like me, this isn’t so much of a worry. Otherwise, consider things like – will your hair be combed, unkept, tied up, swept back, styled, kept natural etc.
• beards – clean shaven, stubbled, full bearded
• glasses – will you wear glasses or contacts
• culture – consider the culture of the country, region, industry, company, audience and be sure that what you wear comports with the culture
• skirt & blouse, dress or trouser suit
• smart or casual or smart casual or casually smart (is there a difference?) ; street or corporate;
• Ironed or rumpled?
• jewellery & accessories – what will you wear?  what impression will they create?
• the occasion – what is appropriate for the occasion itself
• shoes – colour, style, formality, stilettos vs flats; brogues or trainers; polished
• skin showing – bare or covered arms; high/low neckline; open/closed buttons; cleavage
• skin tone – pale skin often benefits from darker shades, whilst darker skin will often carry off lighter colours well. I love pink shirts for instance!
• makeup – heavy, light, natural, accentuated
• loose or tight fitting clothes
• hat, cap, headscarf or open
• cologne/perfume – will you use any? What scent? How strong?
• breath – your mouth will get very dry, which will probably accentuate your breath. Consider what you eat beforehand. I personally get very conscious of my breath during a speech so I’ll always carry some mentos for emergencies

Chimamanda Ngozie

Don’t try to be anyone else but yourself. It isn’t worth it!

COMFORT & PRACTICALITY

Carl Lewis for Pirelli

No sense looking great if it affects your performance. At the same time you consider style, you’ve got to think about your comfort and the practicalities of giving a presentation. Think about:

• will it allow for movement (of your arms, neck, legs, bending, demonstrating) – I feel really constricted with a buttoned-up shirt so any chance I get I dispense with my tie and undo the top button. So think about the practicality of suits, pencil skirts, tight tops
• sweat patches – some tops don’t handle sweat well at all. So, unless you know you’ll be as cool as a cucumber, plan for the inevitable sweat
• temperature of the venue – will you get too hot/cold
• spare clothes – do you need to bring a spare of something in case of problems?
• Shoes – especially if you are standing
• tears, stains, loose threads, missing buttons etc – check your outfit for defects because they’ll bother you otherwise

You will have 100 other things to worry about when the moment of your speech comes, so don’t make what you wear thing number 101.

You’ve thought about your style and your comfort. But remember, this is ultimately about the impression you make on your audience. So the final and most important thing to consider is what message you want to make with what you wear for public speaking. We saw a classic example of this with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg. Zuck is normally a T-shirt and hoodie guy because it fits with his non-corporate accessible techie image. But he knew that that wouldn’t cut it for his appearance to answer questions before an angry (non-tech savvy) US Congress.

So we saw him in a sharp tailor-made sober suit and standard blue tie. Message – I’m serious about this. So, think about:

• matching or challenging your audience’s expectations – do you want to blend in or stand out? Are you one of them or apart from them?
• the tone you are giving about yourself – are you serious, funny, professional, relaxed, accessible, austere, affluent, humble
• jewellery and accessories – are they distracting, jangling or noisy?
• Colours – every colour has a meaning so choose carefully .
• will you use a meaningful prop e.g. scientist’s lab coat; yo-yo

Be in control of the message your appearance gives so that there is perfect consistency and symmetry between your look and your message.

And some Dos & Don’ts 

• Do have a dress rehearsal. Practise your presentation in full dress. It will help you decide whether you’ve chosen wisely
• Don’t wear red if you’re a woman.  According to research , red as a primary colour for an outfit apparently signals sexual receptiveness to men, and triggers defensiveness in women
• Do pick two outfits the day before and sleep on it. The right one will pick itself in the morning.
• Don’t wear stripes unless you are a fashion expert and absolutely confident in your choice. Moving stripes play havoc with eyes and cameras
• Do get a friend to give you a 360 check just before you speak. You won’t notice fluff on your back, an open fly, or spinach in your teeth
• Don’t over worry about your look. You have a 99% chance of being absolutely fine. And even if you end up looking a bit odd, your audience won’t hold it against you.

I guess all that remains is to show you my personal go to public speaking costume. Grey suit, pink shirt (though it looks kind of white on camera), no tie open button (cos I hate ties); a single button done up on my jacket so I’m neat but my arms are not restricted. Although you cant see it, my shoes were black and polished and of course, I was wearing yellow socks!

If you’ve got this far, you’ll definitely like my free live webinar: How to become an outstanding public speaker even if you are not a natural performer and without being overwhelmed by fear 

Kolarele sonaike, the great speech consultancy, pin it on pinterest.

How to Elevate Your Style : Our exclusive masterclass starts on April 15th, register here .

What to Wear to Give a Speech: Women’s Edition

The last thing you want to worry about when you’re heading into a presentation is what you’re wearing.

Giving a speech to an audience is exciting, but it’s also nerve-wracking. You want to know your talking points and reach your audience. 

You don’t want to be pulling at your outfit or second-guessing your clothing choices on top of that.

Keep reading for Next Level Wardrobe ’s stylist-approved tips on what to wear to give a speech, in-person or virtually.

Table of Contents

What is the proper attire for giving a speech.

The proper attire for giving a speech is an outfit that is professional, polished, comfortable, and represents who you are.

We recommend going for more conservative necklines and lengths and being intentional with what colors, patterns, or accents you incorporate. Remember, the right outfit makes you feel confident and doesn’t distract from your message.

So is there a specific list of clothes that every woman should wear when giving a speech? 

Nope. 

For some, the best presentation clothes for ladies are a powerful pantsuit and heels. For others, it’s a modest dress and boots. There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. 

But there are a few guidelines you can follow to look and feel your best while speaking in public.

How To Find Your Presentation Outfit in 3 Questions

To find the perfect presentation outfit for you, ask yourself the following three questions:

• What is your personal brand?
• What do you want to communicate with your style?
• Can color help convey your message?

Let’s explore each of these together.

1. What Is Your Personal Brand?

Everyone has a personal brand. You don’t have to be at the top of Forbes’ CEO lists or a major celebrity.

Your brand is another way of saying, “Who are you and what do you want others to think about you?” 

It covers everything from how you walk into a room to how you dress, and even what scent you wear. 

You want to ensure that what you’re saying with your outfit aligns with your personal brand .

For instance, if you’re a corporate executive, a sharp, professional suit presents a clear, unified message.

If you’re a food blogger, on the other hand, wearing a suit would feel overly formal and out of place.

So when you’re picking out speech outfits, ask yourself, “Does this outfit line up with my personal brand? Does it back up what I’m saying?”

2. What Do You Want To Communicate With Your Style?

Do you want to convey a sense of authority with your outfit?

Or do you want to put your audience at ease with a more laid-back look?

What you want to say with your style determines if you should go more formal or relaxed with your ensemble.

Consider your audience as well. Are you speaking to a group of young female entrepreneurs, or an audience of older, mostly male executives?

• For traditional or formal events, go with a more structured, classical look. The same goes for if your audience leans older and you want to fit in.
• For more modern, younger-skewing audiences and events, you can incorporate more trend-aware touches or more laid-back silhouettes.

3. Can Color Help Convey Your Message?

We’ve seen a lot of talk online in recent years about color theory and its power over your wardrobe. There’s a whole world of color analysts who swear that finding the exact “season” for your skin tone is the holy grail of dressing well.

To be fair, we know there’s a lot of science out there on color psychology . 

Like why a lot of fast-food restaurants use rich shades of red and yellow in their signs and buildings. Or how blue paint on a wall can help you feel calm.

And we won’t deny that different colors say different things. For example, a black suit generally reads as more formal and serious than a navy blue suit. 

However, we think a lot of this is overcomplicated and not worth it in the long run. We don’t believe that certain colors are “off-limits” to some people. 

And we definitely don’t think you should waste time stressing about what exact shade a TikTok color analyst told you to wear instead of focusing on what you’re actually going to say in your presentation.

So what’s our take? Use color wisely.

• Core colors Most of the clothes in your closet should fall under the core color category. This includes classic neutrals like black, white, navy, and gray. These go with most dress codes and you’ll easily find businesswear in these shades. 
• Tonal colors The second biggest portion of your wardrobe should be tonal colors such as shades and variations on core colors and other neutrals. Then the final, smallest section of your clothing should be seasonal colors and patterns.
• Bold colors and prints Use bold colors and prints sparingly. Save them for presentations in less conservative settings or industries like art, entertainment, or media. 

3 Things You Should Not Wear to a Speech

Now that you know what to wear when giving a speech, let’s get into what not to wear.

• Don’t wear ripped or distressed garments

Ripped or distressed garments immediately signal that what you’re wearing is either trendy or sloppy. 

Neither of these are adjectives you want used to describe you if you’re giving a professional speech. 

Stick to solid, timeless pieces. These options suit more professional environments and dress codes. Plus, if you’re going to be photographed, you want your outfit to stand the test of time. 

• Don’t show too much skin

We’re all for embracing your features and self-expression. But the reality is, showing too much skin doesn’t read as professional.

Especially in more old-school, conservative industries like finance, law, and politics. And, especially if you’re an executive, CEO, or trying to work your way up the corporate ladder.

The safest bet is to dress on the conservative side. Keep hemlines longer than your knee, cover your shoulders, and avoid low-cut tops.

• Avoid anything that makes noise

Noisy clothes and accessories can be just as distracting as ripped clothes and showing too much skin.

Jingling jewelry and squeaky shoes can make it hard for audiences to hear what you’re saying.

To avoid this, do an outfit test run before your big event. Try on your entire outfit from head to toe, accessories included. Make sure you won’t have a bangle banging against your microphone or squeaky leather pants rubbing against your seat.

3 Real-Life Examples of What a Woman Should Wear to a Presentation

View this post on Instagram A post shared by NY + LA Personal Stylist (@nextlevelwardrobe)

Let’s put together all of our advice on what to wear to a presentation together. Here are three real-life examples of speech outfits for different occasions to inspire your look.

1. Speech Outfits for a Virtual Event

Though it’s tempting to wear yoga pants for your virtual speech — after all, no one will see them! — we recommend avoiding “above the keyboard dressing.”

Numerous studies have shown that dressing for success has a big impact on our self-confidence.

Even if your audience doesn’t know if you’re wearing sweatpants or trousers, you’ll feel the difference!

Instead, take notes from the CEO of Chanel, Leena Nair pictured above. She may be speaking over a webcam, but she’s still fully dressed. 

She’s also kept her background neutral and her outfit simple so the focus is on her and what she’s saying.

2. Ted Talk Outfits- In-Person Event

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melinda French Gates (@melindafrenchgates)

Need Ted Talk outfits for an upcoming keynote? 

For an on-stage, in-person event, we recommend something like what Melinda Gates is wearing above. Why does this look work?

• It’s conservative. The high neckline, long hem, and half sleeves on her dress keep her looking polished yet feminine. 
• It’s a “one-and-done” outfit formula. She’s wearing the same color from head to toe for an ensemble that’s easy to put together but looks chic. 

The final reason why this look works is that it’s simple and unfussy. You don’t see over-the-top jewelry that could get in the way of her talking, and the dress is easy to sit in. 

3. Speech Style- In Person Event

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stylishcurves (@stylishcurves)

A last approach is for an in-person event. Check out this structured pantsuit worn by Alissa of Stylish Curves.

The structured style keeps this presentation outfit polished and simple. It’ll look nice when you sit or as you walk on stage.

The print and playful (but selective) accessories also add personality and accent her personal brand. This is a great example of how to add trend-aware touches to your speech outfits without going overboard.

Dress for Success at Your Next Speaking Engagement

Ready to exude confidence at your next public speaking engagement? Apply for Next Level Wardrobe’s Women’s Styling Services . We’ll help you uncover your brand through style and simplify how you shop for good.

About the Author - Cassandra Sethi

Personal Stylist & Image Consultant

* Disclosure : Next Level Wardrobe only recommends products that we’d suggest to our clients or personally wear ourselves. All opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, Next Level Wardrobe may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here .

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is a NYC Personal Stylist and Image Consultant. She is the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe and 'The NLW Style System' that guarantees clients more outfits with less items.

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Perfect Presentations: What Not to Wear

How to dress for credibility, while remaining true to yourself.

What to wear for a perfect presentation? As you design and polish your speech, developing visual aids and handouts, this question may fall into the background until dangerously close to the presentation. Suddenly, you look up: “Yikes! What am I going to wear?”

Your appearance impacts your credibility as a speaker. Don’t leave it to chance, and don’t wait until the last minute to decide what to wear. Just think of preparing your appearance as part of your overall speech preparation. Here are my favorite, possibly competing, guidelines:

• Stay authentic.
• Dress like your audience- but one step better.

Stay Authentic: Within reason, your attire must express who you are. If you feel like you’re wearing someone else’s costume, your verbal message may not ring true.

Dress Like Your Audience, But One Step Better: Appearing similar to, but slightly more dressed up than your listeners conveys respect both for them and for your subject. It enhances your credibility.

Use these five tips as a guide to dressing for credibility, while remaining true to yourself.

1.  Wear well-made and well-maintained clothing.

Granted, no one will be checking your clothing’s seams or labels. But image consultants counsel that your audience can tell if you’re wearing a cheaply made dress or suit. You can probably feel it, too. Whether you choose to look conservative or creative, wear well-made clothing made from high-quality fabric. Avoid linen and other easily-wrinkled material.

2.  Pay attention to details.

Even if your audience won’t see your shoes, make sure they are polished and that the heels are secure. Men should have a recent haircut and trimmed facial hair. Search for loose threads or inopportune gaps between buttons.

3.  Wear your “Confident Clothes.”

Wear something that makes you feel sprightly and energized. This could mean sticking to the tried-and-true, so long as it’s one step above your audience and expresses your personality. Use a solid color that suits you near your face. (How do you know which colors suit you? Ask one of your color-savvy friends.)

4.  Make sure it’s comfortable.

You are NOT allowed to tug at or re-arrange your clothes while presenting. Wear your outfit around the house a few days before your presentation to ensure that you can move comfortably. Then put your outfit aside, including all underwear, jewelry and shoes, and go back to prepping your speech.

5. Dress to look taller.

Consider wearing a solid color for both pieces of your outfit. This will help you appear taller and help you tap into the “Intensified You.”

So—to pull together both my responses to the question “What should I wear?” I leave you with these words: Let your personality shine through even as you “fit in” with each specific audience.

Read more articles about Presentation Skills. Learn about Guila Muir’s Presentation Skills Workshops.

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

• 3 Words to Weaken Your Presentation
• 3 Rules for Excellent Presentations
• The “Intensified You:” Key to Giving a Great Presentation
• Tips for the “Intensified You”
• Present With Purpose

Tags: Clothing , Communication , Fear , Kite , Language , Lecturing , Podium , PowerPoint , Presentation Skills , Presentations , Presenter , Presenting , Public Speaking , Seminar , Speaking skills

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Very nice, information & useful article.

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Command Respect & Authority: The Ultimate Guide to What to Wear for a Presentation at Work

You’ve pored through the research. You’ve practiced your presentation countless times. Your pitch is air-tight. Now all that’s left is presenting your argument to your colleagues and stakeholders.

Make no mistake: What you wear to a presentation matters .

YOUR PRESENTATION INCLUDES YOU .

Your presentation is more than just slides and talking points. Whether you like it or not, you are part of the presentation yourself. What you wear for a presentation will influence your listeners just as much as what you say.

Read on for our ultimate guide to what to wear for a presentation at work.

Begin with your audience.

When choosing what to wear for your presentation, begin with your client or colleagues in mind. What will they be wearing to your presentation? 

Once you are mindful of who and where you’ll be presenting, it’s time to elevate your look with color, accessories, and proper grooming.

For example, I have a client who works in HR at a warehouse. When she is presenting to staff, I recommend that she wear jeans to reflect the familiarity with the warehouse uniform and elevate this base with a jacket to reflect her authority.

Your essentials begin with your authority items.

For women, this means a scarf and/or necklace.

For men, this is a tie.

I call this “jugular protection” and yes—it is ESSENTIAL. Without these pieces, you will unintentionally convey weakness. But with these authority items, you’ll elevate your look instantly.

Don’t be caught without this one clothing piece.

Whether it’s a major presentation at work or simply a weekly meeting, never be found without a jacket. This is your armor—without one, you lack power and communicate weakness.

Wear your best colors.

Wearing your best colors doesn’t mean wearing your favorite color.

There is science behind color. And each one of us has a color palette that makes us look healthy, friendly, and energetic. 

When it comes to what to wear for a presentation, choosing the right colors will be the difference between your listeners viewing you as upbeat and competent or washed out and weak.

Your best colors will light up your face, making you more visible.

How do you know which colors best compliment you? Find a color consultant in your area who can help you discover your best colors through a color consultation !

Ladies, get out your power tools.

Earrings and a bit of makeup will be your power tools when it comes to impressing at a presentation.

Highlight your mouth—your communication tool—with lipstick. 

Wear a watch, not just for timekeeping purposes, but to show that you value the time of your colleagues.

Your shoes matter.

Your shoes are the foundation of your look—quite literally. And choosing the right shoe will keep you grounded and portray strength.

Ladies, wear a heel to show that you are “on duty.” These don’t have to be particularly high—choose something that is comfortable and flattering for you. A ballet flat might work for a routine day at work, but these won’t do for a presentation—they show a lack of authority.

Men, your shoes should be clean and freshly polished.

Put the cherry on top.

A blow dry and manicure or a fresh haircut and shave are the cherry on top of your look. 

Carry a bag or briefcase that is organized and professional—not resembling your kitchen junk drawer.

Your wardrobe checklist.

A polished presentation begins with a polished look. 

Use the checklist below to ensure you’re prepared for your next presentation:

Respect begins with you.

If you don’t appear to have respect for yourself, then your listeners aren’t going to respect what you are saying, no matter how well-rehearsed your presentation is. 

But with a little extra effort and thought into choosing what to wear for a presentation, you’ll instantly convey expertise and authority before you even speak a word.

Master your first impressions and transform your look with a color & style consultation.

If you are local to the Greater Cincinnati region, I would invite you to discover your optimal colors through a color consultation and your signature style through a style consultation .

What should I wear for video meetings?

The Question of the Hour for professionals worldwide as many adjust to the new normal of work-from-home life.

My job as an image consultant is to help you create successful first impressions—and video meetings are no exception to this.

Preparing for a Zoom call requires more than simply throwing on a button-up and hitting “Join Meeting.” Even your go-to outfit for in-person presentations will need adjustments.

By following the style guide below, you’ll master the art of the video meeting and communicate authority to colleagues, clients, and management.

Quick impressions.

Our brains were built for them.

According to Psychology Today : “In our perception of people, and their perceptions of us, the hidden, subliminal mind takes limited data, and creates a picture that seems clear and real, but is actually built largely on unconscious inferences that are made by employing factors such as a person’s body language, voice, clothing, appearance, and social category .”

That’s why it matters what you wear—especially in situations that require building trust, like the professional or dating realms.

Optimize your appearance with these 4 tips for communicating the right messages and building trust with others.

With the turn of the new season, magazines and department stores are splashed with the latest spring 2020 trends—the “hot new items” that fashion editors push as must-have pieces for your wardrobe.

But you won’t find me touting these trends to clients. In fact, I often urge my clients to ignore trends altogether.

Because Valerio Consulting is inherently anti-trend.

Presentation Education

What do i wear for my presentation.

When I work with my clients, there is a list of priorities to manage. As we’re wrapping things up, nearly every client, regardless of gender, solo presenter, or team presentation, asks the same questions, “What do I wear to my presentation?”

I’m not a fashion expert, so usually I’m just the voice of reason or a sounding board. However, over the years, I’ve been asked this numerous times, and it always makes me laugh a bit.

A few rules about what to wear for my presentation:

If your attire is too far ahead of the audience, you will appear stuffy, and your audience will not relate to you. If your attire is beneath the level of the audience, you’ll appear like a buffoon and won’t be taken seriously, or you’ll have to work significantly harder to change that their perception. To set the right first impression, you want to dress as well as the audience, or slightly better, but I emphasize slightly. The adage to dress for the job you want, not the one you have, also fits for presentations too.

2. Dress consistently with your brand. I have actually seen this mistake more than I care to admit. It happens because professionals want to dress in a way that isn’t consistent with the rest of the industry. Think a suit and tie at a construction industry event.

This one is tricky, because there are times when it feels like the situation calls for a the suit and tie, but if that’s what you choose to wear, business formal wear conflicts with the industry you are in or the company you represent. If you usually wear the company polo, you could feel self-conscious all of a sudden wearing the suit. That inconsistency could cost you during the presentation if you doubt yourself, trying to be something you are not. It would also look funny for a plumber to wear a suit to explain how to fix a broken pipe. You might think I’m making up extreme examples, but I’m not. When people get nervous, they over compensate.

You should dress to mirror your brand, or embody it. Whatever your industry requires is what you should choose as a baseline. You want to look the part while also feeling comfortable wearing something that is normal.

3. Dress to feel like a million dollars. Whatever “costume” you end up with, you should think about how it makes you feel. I wouldn’t get too caught up in the thought of a power suit because power poses will do you better. If you feel great in a specific outfit, then you should consider wearing that because if you feel confident. That inner confidence will spill over into your presentation and your persona, and you will present better. I have a female client that always wears her red “power” suit because it makes her feel strong and, in her mind, she can win that bid presentation. Another client, a male presenter, tends to wear purple because it is different and he gets lots of compliments on it.

4. Dress in something that moves. It’s a requirement to move as a speaker. Maybe you aren’t doing yoga, but some fashions restrict movement so severely that you’ll look ridiculous when you try to move. A coat that is too tight in the arms, a shirt that smashes a ladies chest because it’s too snug, a dress that is too tight you can’t walk, or even the amazing heels that you can’t stand in for more than 15 minutes are all poor choices to wear for a presentation. For gentlemen, those pants that are squeezing your gut and high water ankles won’t work either. Anytime you feel like a sausage trying to squeeze into your clothes, or like a kid after a growth spurt, you should rethink it at least for this event. Clothing sizes are just a number that doesn’t matter. If you are otherwise comfortable with your body, then your clothes should reflect that too!

5. Dress like a grown up. Your attire needs to be appropriate to your age and style. It’s blatantly obvious and distracting to dress according to the regulations set for teens and college graduates.

What works for one age group, doesn’t work for all! If you’re under 30, don’t dress like your grandparents and if you’re over 50, stay away from those skinny jeans and other teenage fads. Act and dress your age.

This accessory can also reflect your outgoing personality when you are stuck inside the rules. Your outfit should not be described as Avant-garde, but a nice (small) statement piece can tie your personality together with attire that is appropriate.

Let’s Set the Basics for Presentation Attire

1) Business Formal (Semi-Formal) – This is your top-of-the-line outfit, the one that you perhaps lusted over and struggled to afford. It should be appropriate for meetings with executives, top-scale business events and galas, and conversations with really important people. It’s probably an extremely nice suit, maybe even a tuxedo for men and a cocktail dress for ladies if after hours, but if it’s not, it should at least look expensive.

2) Traditional Business Casual – This outfit will probably be the category of clothes that you use primarily for work and many speeches and conferences. It is a category that is appropriate with audiences that will be dressed in a variety of styles, with an emphasis on the casual and comfortable. Think of sport coats, button front dress shirts, and really nice jeans or slacks for the men — tie option. For women, you’re looking at dresses that are appropriate for the office, business suits, and skirts or slacks paired with a conservative blouse.

3) Casual Attire – This category is taking over the world like a plague as people begin putting more emphasis on other things and away from their appearance. Even once formal business meetings are now morphing into casual when it comes to the dress code. I lump the industries that require company polos and tattered trousers into this category as well as those that attempt to arrive to work in pajamas. If you attempt to show up to an audience in the casual category and you are dressed in business formal, you will end up working twice as hard to establish a conversation with the listeners than if you were in the same category. The same happens when you are dressed below the category.

One way to avoid being over or under dressed is to ask the person coordinating the event. If it’s not a situation you are familiar with, having this information will allow you to begin thinking about what category of clothes to pull from and could be helpful in figuring out what you are going to wear. The last thing you would want is to have the jacket or dress you needed still at the dry cleaner, and you are left scrambling at the last minute. Don’t let your attire add unnecessary anxiety to your presentation.

Since we are talking about attire at this point, if you will be presenting with a prop, or in a piece of clothing that you aren’t used to, you need to practice with it. Within three days, you’ll be presenting for real, and you need a dress rehearsal. I always recommend dress rehearsals, but if you are not used to something, then it is necessary.

One other thing on attire that you might want to consider is your part at the event. If you are sitting on a panel for example at a table on the stage, you might think about how your attire fits while seated and what that looks like from the seats on the main floor looking up. Guys need to wear nice socks under their slacks and, ladies, no mini skirts. (I know, I shouldn’t have to say that.)

This last thought also pairs with how you sit in the chair. It might not be the best choice for gentlemen to sit with legs spread wide apart, and ladies it might not be a wise choice to sit cross-legged. Keep an eye on your audience’s reactions because they will silently tell you if you did anything out of bounds.

It might be best to go through your wardrobe and group all of the optional outfits or pieces into three basic categories. It might even be helpful to look into a wardrobe app like Style Book to assist with this process.

If you are still struggling, I’ve put together a checklist of what to “Wear for My Presentation” :

• Do I have a complete outfit for the event?
• Is my outfit of choice compatible with the event where I’ll be speaking?
• Is this outfit compatible with my industry and company/personal brand?
• Are my clothes appropriate?
• Do my clothes fit well?
• Are my clothes clean and pressed?
• Is my outfit free of pet hair and dandruff?
• Do I feel comfortable wearing this outfit?
• Am I able to move around including arms while setting up?
• Am I wearing something that I am not used to wearing that I need a dress rehearsal?
• Are my clothes a distraction to those looking at me?

It is in a person’s nature to judge quickly, within the first few seconds, assumptions have been made. Your attire is the first point of contact when meeting others, even before you say “hello”. Research is conflicting, but some business journals report that it takes at least 20 good impressions to overcome a bad first impression. Don’t set yourself up for failure with poor choices for your attire.

Additional Resources

• Sign up for my newsletter, Simply Speaking , and get my strategies and insights on improving your presentations sent to your email. 
• Download a free chapter from Erica Olson’s first book, Speak Simple – The Art of Simplifying Technical Presentations . 
• Follow Speak Simple on Twitter and YouTube for more ways to improve your presentations. 

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Increase your value by being an expert. Buyers pay more and come to you when you’re the expert. The best way to show expertise over a topic to present at industry conferences, workshops, and webinars. Speak Simple can train you to be a better presenter, craft messages your audience understands, and how to maximize every opportunity. Learn how Speak Simple can grow your sales pipeline and bottom line . 

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What to Wear for a Presentation

Anyone familiar with the art of delivering presentations already knows that structuring your ideas in the presentation slides, your passion for your subject matter, your body language while presenting, among other things like presentation training , matter a lot. However, it’s just as important to choose the right outfit for your presentation. 

As soon as you start presenting, your audience is unconsciously looking for tiny hints about whether you are worth their undivided attention or not – and more often than not, they pick these clues from your appearance. This is why it’s important that you wear clothes that make a solid first impression on your audience or, at least, doesn’t let them undermine you for the rest of the presentation.

Having said this, it may seem trivial to go through your wardrobe trying to figure out what to wear for a presentation. To help our readers, our presentation experts came up with a bunch of useful tips to guide you in the right direction and avoid potential mistakes. Interested? Keep reading!

Top 5 Tips on What to Wear for a Presentation

Tip #1. Dress Appropriately for the Audience

Unfortunately, dressing for a presentation isn’t as easy as throwing on a business suit and tie, even if you are a lawyer that wears it for work, on a daily basis.

Having said this, a bright solid outfit is far less likely to clash with your audience or colleagues. On the other hand, if you work at a startup that supports a casual environment, you can wear denim, but make sure you still keep the professional tone by getting something with a dark wash and complement it with a nice blazer.

Tip #2. Keep the Venue in Mind

It goes without saying, but your outfit should complement the space. It’s always a nice idea to get an idea of the colour scheme of the venue you are presenting at, beforehand, and then pick your outfit accordingly. 

Tip #3. Find an Outfit that Suits the Branding of Your Organisation

If you are delivering a presentation on behalf of your company, your outfit should reflect the branding and values of your organisation. For example, it may seem inappropriate to dress up in jeans and a t-shirt, in case you are representing a law firm.

Tip #4. Stay in Your Comfort Zone

By all means, you should dress up for the presentation. However, you should also try to stay in your comfort zone. Pick something you will find comfortable to wear. Most of us already have a go-to outfit or dress like this sitting in our closet. If it suits the venue, audience, and the event, you should go for it, since it will make you look confident in front of the audience.

Tip #5. Keep it Simple

It’s best to dress simply, unless you have requirements that state otherwise. Avoid accessories or colour patterns that might distract the audience. Sticking to dark colors, simple shapes, and smooth lines work the best in most cases. Keep in mind that the key takeaway for your audience should be the ideas you present to them and not remembering what you wore during the presentation.

• Avoid Brand New Clothes

It’s always best to test your outfit, before actually wearing it on stage.

• Don’t Go for an Outfit That Doesn’t Suit Your Personality 

Going for the “cool factor” isn’t always a great idea, if it doesn’t make you feel comfortable in front of your audience.

• Consult with the Event Organisers

Check with the organisers in advance, to understand what kind of outfits would be more appropriate for the occasion.

• Keep Several Options to Choose From

Keeping flexibility in mind, pick more than one outfit to wear on the D-day, just in case you would want to change things up a bit, at short notice.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to delivering presentations, all the little things matter. Some extra consideration and investment into choosing the right outfit can go a long way towards influencing your audience and improving the results you get. Having said this, you should still focus on other things that matter the most, from presentation design and content to your body language and delivery.

If you need more help getting everything right for your next presentation, get in touch with our presentation experts today! Our advice and support will ensure that you are well armed to make the most of any future presentations you are preparing for.

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Guide: Colours to wear during a presentation

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• Body Language & Delivery , Presentation , Public Speaking

“Appearance is not a Design. Design is the way it works” 

-Steve Jobs

We hardly get a second chance at making a first impression. And what is the first thing people see when they notice us? Our appearance. More specifically, our clothes. The colours we wear while at any important occasions, such as giving a presentation, convey magnitudes about us. 

For presentations, while pastels are one one side of the spectrum, cool hues and Black are on the extreme opposite. You’re safe to place your bet on these two. However, there is a lot of scope for experimentation in the middle. 

Colours are not only visual, they also elicit specific emotional responses. Depending on what you want them (your audience) to feel, you can choose warm, cool, bright, or dull shades.

Significance of colours

There is a whole branch of psychology that studies the effects of different tones and hues on the human mind and subsequent behaviour. Yes! The colours you wear can have an impact beyond just impressing your audience or looking good.

The language of colors comes from the system of symbolism. Each color is a symbol of something it elicits, something it indicates, how it makes you feel. Following is the list of what each colour signifies/ is associated with.

Red is, as we all know, associated most commonly with danger, alertness, and cautiousness. You can wear it when you want to catch and hold your audiences’ attention.  

Blue is traditionally known to be the calmer of the lot. It’s associated with tranquility, serenity, and peace. Wear it when you want to establish a level of trust with your audience. 

Green is a very emotive colour, it’s warm and encouraging. It also indicates a sense of correctness and ‘GO’ sign because of our association with traffic lights. Wear this when you want to encourage interaction and discussion from the audience. 

It is fairly attention grabbing colour. It falls on the loud side of the spectrum. But it’s also warm and cheery. A slightly bold choice, but yellow it is proven to stimulate mental activity and enhance memory. 

Along with loyalty and luxury, Purple is linked to being exotic and creative. Again, depending on the shade you choose, it can be a bold choice. But as long as you pair it with the right accessories, you’re good to go. 

It’s a classic. Black is associated with sternness, extreme formality, authority and sophistication. Black does a great job of establishing your dominance in the mind of the audience. Makes you look powerful, when styled correctly. It also has a lot of scope to be paired with accessories. 

Apart from this primary palette, pastels and lighter hues are associated with simplicity, innocence, openness and most importantly, they are very soothing. You can wear them when you don’t want to draw too much attention. 

What to ask yourself while picking the right colour?

Now that you have the knowledge of associations, we hope you’re better equipped with making your decision. However, there is a lot more to consider before you finally arrive at one colour. There are a bunch of questions you must ask yourself to make the right decision: 

What is the purpose of this presentation?

Is it a business meeting where you need to crack a deal? A presentation to make a pitch to a client? Is it a guest lecture that you have to deliver? Depending on the purpose of your presentation, you can choose your attire, and hence, the colour. If it is a very formal get together, then sticking with formal clothing like suits and blazers would be the right choice. 

Remember, choosing what to wear can help you narrow down your options of colors to choose from. 

When it comes to official purposes, sticking to formal clothing with colours like pastel pink, dark pursian blue, or black would be a safe bet. 

However, if it’s something informal, like if the presentation is for entertainment purposes, then you can experiment with wearing slightly colourful clothes like orange or yellow, or even prints with two shades.

What time of the day is it when you’re giving the presentation?

Depending on the time of the day, your colour selection would vary too. During day time, it is suggested to wear lighter colours. 

That means ivory, beige, pastels, or even white. That’s because the natural light of the day sort of compliments and lifts these tones. 

In contrast (pun intended), darker shades like brown, black, royal jewel colours (emerald green,etc), or red elevate your presence to a whole nother level during night time, since there are more sources of light intended to focus on you.

Where is the presentation taking place? (Location and lighting)

The location of the presentation matters more than you’d think. Is it happening indoors or outdoors? Is it in a conference room or a private rooftop restaurant? 

If indoors, sobre or plain colours would be effective (as mentioned above). However, if the presentation is taking place outdoors, you can experiment a little with taking your outfit up a notch and wearing orange or yellow, or even one slightly loud colour with subtle prints. 

(Do this only if the environment has scope of being slightly informal, or the industry you work in demands it, like fashion)

What personality suits what colour? 

Although there is no saying that there are watertight compartments of the colour you must wear if you’re a particular personality type, it’s a basic logic game. 

Extroverts, or more sociable and outgoing people are capable of carrying bright, loud colours better as opposed to people who are not.

This is because of their jolly nature, their strong interactive personality overpowers their persona, hence grabbing more attention than the colours they wear.

Introverts, on the other hand, can carry planer shades like mint green, sky blue, peach, and lavender exceptionally well. 

Personality types come across in people’s body language. Introverts are usually more contained and composed, hence wearing subtle colours makes them appear more ‘no-nonsense’ and in their element. 

Shades of grey, beige, and brown are some colours that suit everyone irrespective of their style and personality. 

Does my skin tone matter in choosing what colour to wear?

Absolutely! Pale skin can carry off cool tones like blue, purple, and green well. And warm colours like brown, shades of orange and yellow can be carried better by people with dusky tones. 

You must choose what flatters and compliments your own skin tone the best. 

Does gender matter in choosing colours to wear?

The answer is yes. While there are no water tight compartments here, men are relatively more restricted to a colour palette than women. This is simply because of the clothing material they wear.

While women can experiment with rich colours like honey topaz or jade, it is because women in the professional world are seen wearing silk blouses (which carry these colours really well) as opposed to men who are limited to a range of clothing that can carry off a limited range of colours.

Nevertheless, in recent times, men are seen growing out of the traditional charcoal blacks and navy blues, and experimenting with salmon and baby pink. Having said that, it’s 2021. Gender is the last of the parameters restricting you.

Does colour matter for an online presentation?

It does, but not so much. Just make sure you don’t wear full white or anything too bold since on a video, your frame is already limited, so you don’t need to use colour to draw your audiences’ attention.

You may try patterns, but again, nothing too bold like large geometric patterns. You don’t want your audience to get distracted by your clothes. Colours appear different when in person. It would be advisable to get an opinion of a friend about how it looks on screen before you sit for an online presentation.

Now that most of the important questions are out of the way, here’s a list of extra tips that’ll help you get your colours just right!

Extra Tips for experimenting with your colours for a presentation!

• When experimenting with contrasting, try to choose colours from the same tonal family. It looks more professional. 
• Keep in touch with the trends. Recently, there has been a widespread use of monochrome. (same colour or slightly different shades of the same colour)
• If you want to add prints, try smaller, subtler prints as opposed to big, in-your-face designs. Again, it appears more professional during presentations. 
• Do not pair a warm tone with a cold one.
• While wearing all white or all black, make sure you choose the same shade for top and bottom. Yes, there are shades to black and white as well. 

And that’s all, I believe if you keep in mind all the above tips and points, you’re all set to make some smart decisions that are going to establish your influence very strongly during any presentation you take up. 

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Is it safe to look at a total solar eclipse? What to know about glasses, proper viewing

If you have your eyewear to take in monday's eclipse, here are some last-minute things to consider to ensure you're good to go..

The much-anticipated solar eclipse will finally enshroud thousands of miles of North America today in its long, narrow shadow. By now, those who plan to witness it should have their plans in place .

Travel has been completed. Schedules have been coordinated around the anticipated moment of totality. And proper eyewear is, of course, in your possession. Right?

We at USA TODAY have published no shortage of articles guiding you away from scam eclipse glasses and to the safest, most reliable options – some of which were even free. But if you need a last-minute refresher – or a crash course to catch you up on a topic you entirely missed – we're happy to oblige.

If you don't have your eclipse glasses by now, it may be too late. But some vendors, including Warby Parker , and even public libraries, have offered eclipse glasses giveaways , so be sure to check your local area before the historic event rolls into town.

And if you do have your eyewear to take in Monday's eclipse – the last one of these incredible astronomical events in North America for 20 years – here are some last-minute things to consider to ensure you're in good shape.

Solar eclipse 2024 live updates: See latest weather forecast, what time it hits your area

Can you go blind by looking at the solar eclipse?

Staring at the sun is  unlikely to completely blind you , but its powerful rays can still burn and  damage your retinas if you don't take proper safety precautions to view  solar eclipses .

That's why eyewear is recommended if you plan to look up at the sun Monday to witness the solar eclipse, which most of the country will be able to experience in some way.

In the face of the sun's powerful rays, regular sunglasses made of cheap plastic and polycarbonate material just aren't going to cut it. Astronomers and other experts instead emphasize that skygazers intent on viewing the upcoming total solar eclipse do so with  specialized eyewear  crafted to  protect their sensitive retinas  from permanent damage.

Even viewing any part of the bright sun through camera lenses, binoculars and telescopes without a specialized solar filter  could instantly cause severe eye injury , according to the American Astronomical Society.

Often made with a polyester film coated in aluminum, the glasses are highly specialized . Compared to regular sunglasses, proper eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker to block nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light and protect our sensitive retinas when looking skyward.

As another point of safety, don't look up while driving , please.

How to know when it's safe to view the eclipse without glasses

A  total solar eclipse  offers the unique opportunity for skygazers to  witness the spectacular astral display  with the naked eye – but only when the time is right.

Hundreds of cities in  13 states are along the path of totality  for the eclipse, which will move across North America from southwest to northeast . When the moon moves completely in front of the sun and blocks its light for a brief period of time, you'll know it's safe to fully take in the dazzling display.

That moment is what is called "totality," whereby uncharacteristic darkness falls and all but the sun's outermost layer known as its corona makes a rare appearance to us here on Earth,  according to NASA .

How to make sure your eclipse glasses aren't fake

In the rush to acquire  some coveted eclipse glasses  before April 8 , you may have inadvertently fallen victim to the  fakes and imitators proliferating online retailers .

While plenty of legitimate certified eyewear was widely available – and may still be – less-scrupulous manufacturers try all sorts of methods and tricks to get your attention and make you believe the product you're about to buy is the real deal.

For instance, many vendors began making the grand (and entirely made-up) claim that their products are endorsed by NASA.

As the space agency  reiterated to USA TODAY , NASA highly recommended that skygazers get a pair of certified eclipse glasses before the total solar eclipse  charts a 115-mile-wide path of totality  blanketing much of North America in  uncharacteristic darkness . But it does not approve  any particular brand of solar viewers, despite what many vendors may claim.

The responsibility of guiding American consumers to the safest eclipse glasses is largely left to the American Astronomical Society.

The organization maintains  a curated list of approved vendors  of solar eclipse glasses that it updated to give priority to North American manufacturers ahead of the total solar eclipse. Products you purchase that are listed on that site are guaranteed to be  in compliance with  the highest international safety standards.

Those standards are set by the International Organization for Standardization, which only vouches for solar eclipse glasses that are dark and strong enough to filter out a certain amount of the sun's harmful light.

The astronomical society also provides some  helpful tips  for how to spot counterfeit glasses.

No eclipse glasses? Welding lenses, pinhole projectors among alternative viewers

While certified solar eclipse glasses are the preferred method for viewing the eclipse, alternative methods do exist that don't necessarily sacrifice one's safety.

Many people, particularly blue-collar workers, may be tempted to turn to those welding lenses they have sitting in their workshop.

But beware: The most common welding goggles and helmets aren't typically strong enough to adequately withstand the sun's powerful rays and protect your vulnerable eyes.

Any welding lenses weaker than a Shade 12 filter – a number that indicates the level of protection offered – just aren't going to cut it when it comes to gazing upward in anticipation of the moon blocking all but the sun's outermost layer.

It's also not too late to buy some welding lenses, which Tractor Supply is promoting for sale at its 282 stores along the path of totality as a viable option for viewing the eclipse.

Another simple method is to create your own pinhole projector to project the sun onto a nearby surface. The American Astronomical Society offers helpful  instructions  to set them up.

And one final note: As you make your eclipse-viewing plans,  these interactive maps  should help you chart the time and duration for when totality would occur in cities along the path.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]

Here’s what not to do to safely watch the total solar eclipse

We want you to have an excellent eclipse. This requires planning, research, some equipment. A total solar eclipse isn’t the kind of thing where you can just wing it.

The best practices for observing a solar eclipse are really not that complicated, but these events are so rare for most people that it is easy to forget the basics — even after reading the wealth of highly instructive stories we have already published.

In this latest effort, we will be more direct in telling you what not to do Monday.

Do I need to wear eclipse glasses?

You have to wear eclipse glasses at all times when any part of the sun is visible. But there is an exception: Do not wear eclipse glasses during the brief period of “totality,” when the sun’s face is completely blocked by the moon, leaving only the glowing solar corona.

Although the entire Lower 48 will see at least a partial eclipse, most areas will not experience a total eclipse, not even briefly. Everyone outside the path of totality will need to wear eclipse glasses at all times.

During totality, though, you can safely remove your eclipse glasses. If you don’t, you will wonder what the fuss is all about. But totality lasts just a few minutes, so the glasses don’t stay off long. The maximum duration of totality in the United States will be 4 minutes and 27 seconds at the Texas-Mexico border. You need to be prepared to put the eclipse glasses back on as soon as the sun starts to show itself again. Children may need close supervision.

Can I make eclipse glasses at home?

This is a terrible idea, so don’t even try. Eclipse glasses are designed to screen out 99.99 percent of the light, about a thousand times the blockage of standard sunglasses, said Lisa Ostrin, a vision researcher and optometrist at the University of Houston’s College of Optometry.

Some welder’s filters can be employed during an eclipse, but they need to be at the right setting, according to the American Astronomical Society .

There are all kinds of nifty options for observing the effects of the eclipse without looking directly at it. NASA, for example, has suggestions for building a homemade pinhole projector that will allow indirect viewing of the eclipsed sun.

Is it safe to look at the eclipse through a camera?

It is not safe to look at the partially eclipsed sun through a camera without a specially designed solar filter. The same goes for binoculars or a telescope. Doing so “will instantly cause severe eye injury,” NASA warns.

The exception, again, is during the brief period of totality.

The American Astronomical Society has an additional warning : “Do not look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes — the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.”

Is it okay to glance at the partial eclipse for just a second or two?

Don’t do it. You should avoid looking at the sun even briefly.

The danger is solar retinopathy, or eclipse blindness. Our eyes are not evolved to look directly at the sun , even if it is mostly eclipsed and only a sliver of its usual self, or if the sunlight is dimmed by clouds.

“Any eye-care professional will say it’s not safe even for a second,” Ostrin said. “As soon as that light is focused on your retina, it can begin to damage the cells.”

She added, “During an eclipse, people may not have that natural reaction to look away. We don’t have pain receptors in your retina, so you can’t tell when its starting to damage your retina.”

Can I take a picture of the eclipse with my camera or phone?

Yes, but NASA advises against aiming your camera or phone at the eclipse unless you have a solar filter to protect it in the same way that eclipse glasses protect your eyes. You should also consider using a tripod to reduce motion blur and keep the photo framed the way you want it, so you can avoid having to look toward the sun repeatedly.

Another tip: Don’t try to take a selfie with the partially eclipsed sun over your shoulder, because the ultraviolet radiation can reflect off your screen and damage your eyes.

Can I say the experience is good enough at 99 percent totality?

This is a judgment call, and almost all eclipse aficionados judge the answer to be no.

We recognize that not everyone has the flexibility and resources to get into the path of totality. Some people have day jobs, for example. But to be clear, if the sun is still partly visible, you won’t get the full effect of a total eclipse. Totality is special. Just ask Matt Cappucci , or David Baron , or Bina Venkataraman , or David Von Drehle , or Annie Dillard .

There are maps online showing the path of totality, and the better ones show how many minutes totality will last in any given location along the path. At the very edge of the path of totality, the sun may be fully obscured for only a matter of seconds, while at the center of the path, the sun will be blocked for roughly four minutes. There is no difference in how totality will look, however; only the duration is different.

A final suggestion: Don’t race around like a maniac trying to get in the perfect spot for the immaculate experience. There will be a lot of cars on the road , and some people may have missed the driving tips from AAA. For one, don’t pull over in dangerous spots to witness the eclipse. AAA warns drivers that there could pedestrians staring at the sky or nocturnal animals emerging onto roadways during totality.

And this AAA dictate seems very wise: “Do not attempt to watch the solar eclipse while driving!”

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, what you need to know to watch monday's total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A stunning celestial event is visible across the country Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun: a total solar eclipse. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.

Traveling for totality? Skip ahead.

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

When is the eclipse?

April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse that crosses from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States.

What is totality and why it matters

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

Check out this table for when the partial eclipse and totality are visible in each region or check by zip code here.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States, so even if you're not directly in the path, you should be able to see something special, weather permitting.

Unable to get to totality? We'll be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you can't see it in real time.

Where to see totality?

More than 30 million people live in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, and many more in nearby areas.

Here's what we know about Monday's weather forecast.

Why totality matters

As NPR's Neil Greenfieldboyce explains , "During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically . The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colors appear around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere."

Eclipse Science

For april's eclipse, going from 'meh' to 'omg' might mean just driving across town.

A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.

How to watch safely

If you plan to look directly at the eclipse (partial or totality), you're going to need eclipse glasses handy because looking directly at the sun without proper protection ( traditional sunglasses don't count! ) can be harmful to your eyes.

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

As NPR's Joe Hernandez explains, "Proper eye protection must be worn throughout a total solar eclipse — except for the roughly 3 1/2 to 4 minutes when the moon fully obscures the sun, a brief period known as 'totality.' (You will need to take your glasses off during totality to actually see it.)"

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house ( like some of us did back in 2017!) More on that here.

Traveling for totality?

The celestial event is driving a ton of domestic travel to the path of totality. If you're headed out of town to view the eclipse, here are some NPR Network resources for areas in the path of totality:

Texas The path of totality crosses through the Lone Star State, with some areas expecting a possible influx of visitors in the hundreds of thousands to catch prime viewing. Our member stations across the state have gathered local resources to help you navigate the region and the eclipse!

• San Antonio: Check out the latest from Texas Public Radio
• Dallas: Explore KERA's coverage for the latest
• Austin: Head to KUT for the best local resources

Arkansas The eclipse will be cutting through the state, putting Little Rock in the path of totality. Check out Little Rock Public Radio for local resources.

The southwestern edge of the state will be well-positioned to witness the total solar eclipse this year. Kentucky Public Radio is covering the eclipse throughout the region, from Kentuckiana eclipse mania to the University of Louisville's free class about the celestial event. Keep an eye on WKMS for the latest local updates.

Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. Head to St. Louis Public Radio for local coverage and resources. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year's eclipse . For resources from across the state, check out Illinois Public Media .

Indiana A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.

• Bloomington: Check out Indiana Public Media
• Indianapolis: Head to WFYI for the latest
• Fort Wayne: Just north of the path of totality, WBOI has resources for the Allen County area

Ohio The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year's path of totality, plunging a number of the state's most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.

• Cleveland: Head to Ideastream Public Media for the latest.
• Columbus: With the capital city just south of totality, head to WOSU for regional resources.
• Cincinnati: Totality will just miss the border town. Here are some tips from WVXU on how to navigate the eclipse in the region.

Pennsylvania Only the northwestern-most corner of the state will catch totality, with views from the lakeside in Erie being particularly well-positioned for a stunning viewing experience. WESA has more from across the region.

Plan to watch the eclipse from a wild mountain summit? Be ready for harsh conditions

New York Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh will fall under the path of totality on Monday. If you're planning to travel to the region for the best views, here are some local resources to stay safe and informed:

• Buffalo: Head to WBFO for the latest
• Syracuse: WAER has more on plans in the Salt City
• North Country: NCPR has the latest from across the region, as well as information on local viewing events to check out

Vermont The Green Mountain State will see totality across its most populous region, including Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the Northeast Kingdom on the Canadian border. Vermont Public has everything you need to know to navigate your time in the region to enjoy the eclipse safely. New Hampshire The northernmost region of the Granite State will be in the path of totality, providing prime viewing to those in Coos County. NHPR has info on local events, travel updates as well as special coverage with New Hampshire Public Television. Maine The last state in the path of totality in the U.S., much of Northern Maine will be positioned for prime viewing. The rural region is preparing for an influx of visitors, and safety officials are encouraging visitors and locals alike to be prepared. Maine Public will be covering the eclipse and has everything you need to know to navigate the region safely.

How to document the eclipse safely

With the ease of cell photography , it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.

As NPR's Scott Neuman explains , "For starters, you'll need to wear eclipse glasses or similar protective eye gear while aiming your camera or even just observing the eclipse."

Feeling ambitious? Here are a few more tips.

Or if you're not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year's eclipse.

As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit , viewing totality "[is] like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

• Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
• Want to see how a solar eclipse alters colors? Wear red and green on Monday
• Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
• Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time. NPR's Emily Alfin Johnson compiled these resources.

• 2024 eclipse

The 9 Most Comfortable Heels You'll Be Able to Wear All Day (or Night)

Because you shouldn't have to sacrifice comfort for style..

We independently selected these deals and products because we love them, and we think you might like them at these prices. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Items are sold by the retailer, not E!. Prices are accurate as of publish time.

Putting the words comfortable and high heels in one sentence feels like an oxymoron, especially these days when it's acceptable to wear sneakers  almost anywhere. But what's a girl to do when there's a wedding  to attend or a fancy dinner to go to? The last thing you want is to slip on a pair of stylish heels only for them to cause pain less than an hour into your event. As a fellow heel girlie myself, I've made it my mission to prove that it's possible to find comfy heels without sacrificing style. You just have to know what to look for.

What To Look for When Shopping for Comfortable High Heels

At some point, all heels begin to feel uncomfortable. But to ensure the heel you choose is as comfy as possible for as long as possible, be sure that it checks at least one of these boxes.

Heel Height : The higher the heel, the more likely your shoes will be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. Try to look for a heel height between two and four inches for maximum comfort.

Platforms : If you want to go for a higher heel height, be sure to choose an option with a chunky platform, that way, less pressure is put on your feet. Not to mention, they're easier to walk in.

Block Heel : While stilettos are a classic, sexy option, we can all admit that they're probably the least comfortable style around. A great alternative is a block heel, which are not only easier to walk in, but provide more stability and create less pressure on your feet.

Ankle Strap : Heels with adjustable ankle straps or slingback designs are ideal because they provide added stability since securely keep your feet in place.

Support : The best high heels have features likes arch support or plush cushioning to help ease any potential pain.

From a pair of black leather pumps from Naturalizer to some slingback heels from Sam Edelman and a platform sandal from Steve Madden, you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how comfortable these shoes actually are. Keep reading to shop the most comfortable heels that you'll be able to wear all day (or night).

The Best Heeled Sandals

Naturalizer joy heeled sandal.

This brand is known for their comfy shoes, including these sandals  with a block heel and ankle strap. Reviewers rave about their contoured cushioning and sculpted arch support. They come in an array of colors and medium and wide widths.

Aldo Sake Ankle Strap Sandal

These strappy stilettos from Aldo's beloved Pillow Walk line are equipped with strategic memory foam cushioning where you need it most (aka the balls and heels of your feet). They come in four classic colors.

LifeStride Miracle Strappy Heeled Sandal

Between the padded footbed and flexible soles, these ankle strap sandals are exactly what you've been looking for. They come in three neutral hues and medium and wide widths.

The Best Everyday Heels

Vionic chardonnay heeled sandal.

The flexible footbeds on these heeled sandals  make walking and standing more comfortable while the deep seated heel cup and arch support relieve pressure. They come in suede and leather options as well as two widths: medium and wide.

The Best Platform Heels

Aerosoles camera heeled sandal.

You could probably run a marathon in these "flatform" sandals  (although we don't recommend you do). They have plush ortholite cushioning, flexible footbeds, and an adjustable heel strap. They come in so many colors and finishes as well as medium and wide widths.

Steve Madden Lourdes Platform Heel

If you love the look of a sky high heel, opt for these  which have a thick block heel, sizeable platform, and secure ankle strap. Sexy and stylish, reviewers say these heels are surprisingly comfy and easy to walk in, plus they come in six colors.

DREAM PAIRS Chunky Platform High Heels

Chunky platform sandals like these will always be on trend. These have a big block heel and a platform for added comfort. They also come in a slightly lower heel height, you prefer. Choose from nine colors, including some sparkly options.

The Best Slingback Heels

Sam edelman bianka slingback pump.

These classy slingback pumps boast a very reasonable heel height and a timeless silhouette. The adjustable heel strap is an added bonus. Choose from a range of colors and finishes.

The Best Pumps

Naturalizer anna pumps.

You can never go wrong with a timeless, pointed toe pump . This leather pair has ultra-plush foam cushioning that's contoured to the shape of your foot for arch and heel support. They come in six colors and narrow, medium, and wide widths.

Need more shoe inspiration? These are the 10 best ballet flats of 2024 that are chic, comfy, and will never go out of style.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Weather, watch parties, delicious deals, what to wear in the Upstate

The partial solar eclipse will be happening today, April 8.

In Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson, the partial solar eclipse will start at 1:51 p.m. It will peak at 2:09 p.m. and end at 4:25 p.m. Check your zip code to find the exact times.

Schools in Greenville and Spartanburg will have e-learning days.

During Monday's solar eclipse, Upstate residents can look forward to partly cloudy weather.

According to the National Weather Service at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, the chance of rain on April 8 will be less than 10%, with clouds covering 30-35% of the area.

∎ Anderson: High 74 degrees, low 47 degrees.

∎ Greenville: High 73 degrees, low 46 degrees.

∎ Spartanburg: High 72 degrees, low 45 degrees.

Here's everything else you need to know to enjoy the solar eclipse, whether you watch at home with some MoonPies, and SunChips or join one of many planned solar eclipse watch parties planned for this afternoon.

Follow our Eclipse live blog starting at noon

Greenville News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, and Anderson Independent Mail reporters and photographers will be covering the partial solar eclipse in the Upstate this afternoon. We will be at Clemson University, at Falls Park in downtown Greenville, at Roper Mountain Science Center, and at an eclipse party at Lake Cooley. Follow our live blog starting at noon.

6 solar eclipse parties in Upstate

People across the Upstate are getting excited to witness the solar eclipse on Monday.

Many places in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg are planning watch parties to enjoy the rare occasion.

Spartanburg Parks, Spartanburg Science Center, Good Karma in Easley, Climb at Blue Ridge in Taylors, Bridgeway Station in Greenville and Clemson University are all hosting events.

Click here for details.

What to wear for partial solar eclipse

If you are planning on watching Monday, April 8's solar eclipse, you may not have put much thought into what you might wear.

This is because you may not have heard about the Purkinje effect, a natural phenomenon that occurs when the peak luminance sensitivity of the eye shifts toward the blue end of the color spectrum at low illumination levels to adapt to the dark. During the eclipse, you can experience this color transformation by wearing the right colors.

Click here for details on what to wear.

Solar eclipse deals, discounts, where to get eclipse glasses

Planning on celebrating Monday's partial solar eclipse in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and Clemson?

Burger King, Applebee's, Pizza Hut, Sonic, MoonPies and SunChips all have deals on solar eclipse day. Act fast because these deals will be gone as quickly as the partial solar eclipse.

Click here for the details.

How is April 8 eclipse different from 2017?

South Carolina will be experiencing a partial eclipse.

You may be wondering what makes this eclipse different than the one back in 2017. For an idea of what to expect, we've broken down the different types of solar eclipses that occur: annular, hybrid, partial and total.

Regarding eclipse visibility, the weather is also an important factor. Weather conditions that are cloudy or rainy are not favorable and may obscure the view of the space phenomenon.

Click here for details on the different types of eclipses.

Be on the lookout for planets and 'Devil's Comet' too

Planets Venus and Jupiter will be visible during the eclipse along with the "Devil's Comet," which passes the earth once every 71 years.

Although South Carolina will only experience a partial eclipse, here's what you can see beyond the eclipse, special events in the Upstate, and the advice to heed from medical experts about protecting your eyes as you watch it all.

National Geographic photographer shares solar eclipse photo tips

National Geographic photographer and Emmy-nominated director  Keith Ladzinski  knows a thing or two about capturing majestic photographs. The Canon "Explorer of Light," who has over 1.7 million followers on Instagram, has taken many breathtaking nature and landscape photos throughout his extensive career. He now shares his insights for all cosmos lovers out there.

"With the April 8th eclipse approaching, I’m certain there are a lot of excited photographers out there, I’m definitely one of them!" Ladzinski said. "I’m looking forward to seeing the many creative photographs that come out after this unique event!”

Click here for his tips for shooting eclipse photos.

Protect little eyes during the eclipse

Be prepared to gasp with delight on April 8. A solar eclipse – partial in our area – will bring the unparalleled experience to an anything-but-ordinary Monday afternoon. With many schools shifting to e-learning that day, pediatric vision experts from Prisma Health Children’s Hospital want to make sure parents get the word about ways to keep their children safe, while still sharing the memorable experience.

Click here for details from Prisma Health Children's Hospital.