What to wear as a speaker before an audience? - YouLookFab Forum

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What to wear as a speaker before an audience?

muffy432002

(website)

I’ll be speaking before a group of around 70 women welcoming them to our group as well as mingling with them afterward. The event is fairly casual but I’d like to present myself as fashionable yet confident and in-charge. I’m a 63 y/o grandmother with an edgy vibe.
I live in leggings because they are comfortable and wear oversized tops because I’m self conscious about my front “ pooch” and I love bad-ass boots, but wonder if I should change up my look for the presentation.
Any suggestions?

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Olive Green

Helena

Veteran

Hmm it kind of sounds like you have a signature look sorted! Perhaps make sure the leggings are on the dressier side and an oversized blazer to finish the look?

muffy432002

(website)

That kind of is my signature look, but I was hoping to maybe break out of the mold a bit. Maybe a skirt?

CarolS

Veteran

Do you have a skirt in mind? Maybe you could show us a couple of outfits you are considering and the group could offer some feedback.

You didn't say how you feel about speaking to a group, but for many people it's a top fear. I think it's important to feel like "you" in whatever you are wearing -- psychological and physical comfort are both key. Hence, whatever you choose I would suggest this might not be the time to experiment, unless, I suppose, the experiment makes you feel fab.

You say the event is casual, but it might also be helpful to know what kind of group it is and what your overall relationship to it is. A church group might be different than a professional networking group, for example.

muffy432002

(website)

The group will be new members of our community. The average age of-the group will be mid to late 30’s to mid 40’s. It’s a social group where we put on different events in our neighborhood as fundraisers. The presentation will be two-fold: to welcome the new residents but also to encourage those new residents to volunteer to help with these events I personally don’t have a fear of speaking before this group as I’ll be surrounded by current members/ friends, also I’m passionate about this subject,
i was thinking about a black pencil skirt with a lace overlay https://www.talbots.com/floral.....CK&dw
with killer pumps and a blouse. I’m known for my unusual glasses so that’s a given.

Roberta

Veteran

Do you want to look a bit more formal or professional than your audience?

My thoughts - I recommend no bracelets because they clink and bang on the podium, ditto a long or swingy necklace. But sparkly or bright color earrings (or glasses!) draw attention to your face, which is good. If you loke scarves, they can bring a shot of color near your face too. I always wore a solid but strong color (or two) when speaking. If you have a podium (likely), the bottom half of you won't be visible. Small prints can read as muddy or blurry from a distance. Black looks flat without some touch of color.

Think about whether you will be seated for any reason. Or walking around a stage with a lapel microphone. Flowy materials are appealing if you are moving.

Don't choose an uncomfortable outfit, but something a bit more dressy or formal can sharpen your attitude and delivery as well as your look.

And the best advice I ever got - remember to look both left and right when you speak. We tend to aim our gaze in one direction according to our handedness. So I always looked to the right.

And if you are passionate about your subject, that is EVERYTHING.

Star

Veteran

I can only recommend to not where anything so unusual for you that you are out of your comfort zone.

kkards

Veteran

My rule when I have to speak in to a group, or in a meeting with people in positions above mine, wear something that feels like me but a little bet better. So, do you feel like your self in a pencil skirt? Than yup, wear that. If legging feel more like you, maybe a nice ponte pant?

Is this the skirt you are thinking of (sorry on my iPad so I can’t add a find)

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Irina

Veteran

I'm with Star here - a completely new silhouette, might be too much. Maybe a dress with a relaxed fit?

rachylou

Veteran

Lace skirt and bad-ass boots sound fun

Jonesy

Veteran

I agree with others who suggest sticking with what feels right to you and elevating it a bit for your presentation, e.g., slim-fitting pants (like ponte, as kkards suggests--you can find lots at retail with elasticized waist or backwaist, so you still get the comfort but are a step up from leggings) plus a pair of your badass boots and an oversized jacket. Just my two cents, of course!

unfrumped

Veteran

What Jonesy said. “Blazer” could be interpreted flexibly , and could be knit and could be in a good color for you- bright or rich or neutral , depending on your coloring and what you put together for bottoms and footwear.
This is just based on what you seem to describe as your best looks , which did not sound like pencil skirt and tucked in blouse and pumps, plus I like the podium look ( and perhaps mingling afterwards) the “ authority “ of the third piece, some kind of blazer, but not a corporate style.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It sounds like you know your style really well. I am with Jonesy here -- something that makes you feel great, but a step up, perhaps, just a bit dressier than your norm.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I'd go with maybe like a leather or pleather legging under a mini dress if you want to stay close to your norm. If you want to be more current, fashion-wise, I'd go with high-rise wide or straight leg crops, booties or loafers/oxfords, and a short cardigan or long blazer worn over a tucked-in blouse. Throwing in some finds as an example.

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Linda

I think that the black lace skirt would look amazing! It sounds like you want to wear something different from your usual attire and I say go for it!!

unfrumped

Veteran

One thing that I always have to take into account is, what do I have and what am I willing to buy for this occasion , but that I want anyway & will keep wearing, and what are the odds of my finding the right additions or updates.
For example, footwear is very hard fif me to find on any short notice plus it had to have right proportions- so I’ll need to know if I’m wearing with a skirt or pants, what style & length. Let alone color. I could theoretically buy several items that are great individually but when I try them on, don’t work that well with each other.
So you might lay out some of your existing pieces that work or kinda work as outfits, including 1) “ I can wear this as-is and no audience members will be harmed in the process! a good fallback plan. 2) I could wear this sweater if I had dressier pants/ leggings ( or dressier boots, etc) I’ll look in my favorite retailers for some options 3) I can get this skirt and I have a blouse and footwear but need a topper, will look a bit.
I have had occasions like wedding guest where I would be thinking, I’ll wear this skirt if I can find shoes, or I’ll wear these shoes if I find a dress.
For me it’s the sum of the parts, and what fits well , looks good overall and gives me confidence even if there might be some other type of outfit that would have a specific great vibe for the event, but I can’t acquire the right pieces to create that vision.

CarolS

Veteran

OK, hijacking this thread for a second to say you just described my life to a TEE, unfrumped!! It can be such a dance to find the right MIX!!!

Muffy -- it sounds like you want to look a bit "got my sh## together' and a bit "you are going to have so much fun working with me on neighbourhood stuff..." and it seems you are most of the way there.

You said you're know for great glasses (the ones in your profile pic are amazing!) and killer boots. Pair those with sleek pants and a long top -- maybe a column of a good neutral for you -- and then throw a great topper overtop -- blazer, long cardigan -- whatever suits you. I always feel like that third piece helps camouflage my poochy parts a bit and makes me feel a bit elegant. (Your experience might differ..)

Do keep us posted with what you decide!

Jules

Veteran

I guess it depends on the community and the types of events you put on, but a lace skirt and pumps would be very dressy in mine (think busy middle aged working moms in beanies, puffers and Blundstones). It’s also a classic rather than particularly current look (which is fine). You don’t have to blend in or not be yourself but it sounds like your ultimate goal is to be approachable and inclusive rather than a ‘star’ on a stage. I obviously don’t know what kind of event this is (school gym and coffee or event space and cocktails) or what the community norms are but I think I would be trying to meet my audience at least halfway so that they feel they are a good fit to join in. That said, some people are so charismatic and sincere about their passion that they are naturally approachable and inspiring.

Joy

Veteran

Nice black pants, but not leggings, always seem ok I have seen lots at the symphony. Some will have a poison eye for leggings, but you could wear slim pants. I would wear a nice maybe a bit dressy jack on top. I like cobalt or aqua blue, but it could be any color or neutral. If you wear a black jacket, wear a colorful scarf. The ladies will be taking clues from what you are wearing for what they might wear in the future, but they will probably be more casual. Boots sound good. Be sure your footwear is comfortable so you don't have to think about it. And stable do you don't trip on any stairs.

Olive Green

Veteran

Love the glasses. Apart from that, what Roberta said was bible for me when teaching or training or presenting, regardless of audience size.
All black is dreadfully difficult to look at for long. I would make sure the skirt is long enough if you are on a platform above audience, and wide enough to stride in, as physicality and movement help the presentation a great deal. Especially if you are a vivacious speaker!
Another good trick is to wear a stole or loose, colorful vest or jacket, and take it off just before hitting the main points. And, oh god, make sure the shoes are comfortable or they can be a real distraction, ask me how I know….