Choosing the Right Clothes

When you are talking in public, its very public. Its not just what your
audience can hear that is on show – everything your audience can see is on
show!
So we need to ensure that what you are wearing is both appropriate for the
occasion and is comfortable enough to give you some inner confidence. How
can we do that when you are already dreading getting up in front of this
audience?
Firstly, your mind should be totally focused on what you are speaking about, not have a niggling worry that you should have worn something else.
Secondly, when you are thinking about the occasion at which you are making
your speech, think about the audience and what they will be wearing, decide
on what you will wear that is both appropriate and comfortable, make the
decision and then don’t think about it again. If you continue to worry
about what you are wearing or are uncomfortable in what you have chosen,
your discomfort will add to your nerves and then we’ll be back on the path
to a poor performance.
Thirdly, have a practice run. Wear the clothes you have chosen when you are practising your speech – it may be that they are not as comfortable for
this purpose as you thought. Be particularly careful of clothes that have
many pockets. It’s likely you are used to putting your hands in these
pockets without thinking about it and this action may detract from your
speech in a more formal setting.
We all still judge by appearance first, so don’t let that first impression
be one that you have to work extra hard to overcome when making your
speech.