What to wear: Public speaking? - YouLookFab Forum

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What to wear: Public speaking?

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I wrote about my situation in detail in a previous thread (link below), but essentially I'm going to be presenting a roleplay aimed to sell textbooks to teachers for a work seminar, & am struggling to find an appropriate outfit (I've taken some example pictures, more in the comments). My dressing scenario is threefold:
~ I need to look professional enough on stage, with a blazer/ jacket (it's needed as part of the roleplay)
~ I also need to look approachable enough to talk to the teachers directly at our product stalls/ booths (when not presenting)
~ One of my bosses is having a farewell lunch (for retirement) straight after the seminar, so my outfit needs to work for that too.

Some caveats:
-An all black outfit may get lost against the backdrop on stage
-I wish I could wear a dress but I need somewhere to clip my mic pack, so separates are best
-I prefer colour lol, but know I need to be sensible with the amount of colours I use
-I prefer trousers over skiers, because my knees get cold lol

If you have any suggestions on what to wear, they would be greatly appreciated! (This is marked as urgent because I'm also packing for my Australia/ New Zealand trip now & need to know what clothes to launder & iron in advance. Plus a pipe burst & my entire bathroom needs to be replaced, so I need time to consider my options whilst stress levels run high, lol!) Anyway, thanks in advance!

(My previous thread:
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....aking-work

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Urgent

29 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

More photos (same nude suede heels throughout).

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JuniperGreen

Veteran

7/8/9 is a no-brainer to me - the blazer seems to fit you beautifully and it looks professional with a nice punch of color.

I also like 23, but the scarf and untucked blouse make it read slightly more casual to me. Same with the brighter looks you've shared, they're lovely but perhaps read more as playful. You know your crowd best, though, and if that would suit the vibe you have a lot of great options!

rachylou

Veteran

I love that white jacket. In post 1, I like 1-9 and 13-15 (but the dark outfit does feel very ‘invisible making’ to me). In post 2, I like that plum jacket with the orange pants. Great colour combo. The turquoise necklace is great.

Is this a one-day local thing? Or is it several days? Will you travel and do a hotel?

Adriana

Veteran

I like the 4 5 6 combination. It looks like you can forget your clothes, I mean no checking if everything is still tucked. The colorcombination is very good. Plus the necklace I like as well. It is also your style.
Do you need to walk on stage? Or move a lot with your arms? Is the stage higher then the audience?

jussie

Veteran

I like all your outfits- you have a wonderful style and your colour combos are perfect.
My pick for your event is one of the white jacket outfits- because it’s so much more visible being white, yet still very professional. Any of your statement necklaces or scarves could work well with the white jacket.
Thanks for sharing the pics.

The Cat

Veteran

I vote the #4-6 combo.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I’m also a fan of 7-9, so it looks like you have a few options that work.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I've responded to you each by name.

@JuniperGreen sorry are you referring to the photos in the OP (original post) or in my comment? Yeah I'm trying to strike a balance between being too bright (we work with secondary not primary teachers lol) or too dark (don't want to disappear into the backdrop). I know I should tuck in my tops to look more professional, but I'm a little self conscious about my stomach lol - maybe blousing the yellow top out after tucking might help?

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@rachylou Thanks! You don't think the turquoise necklace & earrings combo (#3 in comment photos) looks too big?

Yes, it's just a local, morning seminar (I'll go for my boss' retirement lunch straight after). The packing I mentioned I have to do isn't for the seminar but actually because I'm going on holiday the day after, lol!

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Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Adriana Sorry, just to clarify that you mean the tucked in white shirt with orange pants, right? The fit of the shirt is OK to wear without a topper?

I'll be walking onto a non-elevated stage, holding my script in my hands (hidden in an open book/ folder, lol), & then reaching to hand a cardboard star to a pretend teacher at the end (don't ask, lol). So I think a blazer/ jacket won't restrict my movement too much.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@jussie Thanks - the proportions of the white blazer still work OK over trousers (instead of a skirt), you think?

@The Cat & @gradfashionista Thanks - are you referring to the photos in the OP or in my comment, though?

Barbara Diane

Veteran

My favorites are 5/31 and 8/31.

Anonymous

Broken pipes and having to figure out all this fashion/packing/ stage vs booth vs luncheon!!!!
I vote that you first grab a glass of wine! It might not help but it certainly can not hurt!!! That point taken care of-----
I vote 7-9 look but like the scarf from 23. The skirt suit in 13-15 is extremely polished but think 7-9 is more "approachable" for booth time and will do nicely on stage. I think the 7-9 look will also work for the retirement function ( If you want just change accessories- necklace?)
Good luck.

rachylou

Veteran

The earrings are perfect with the necklace. They hold their own against the visual weight of the necklace and don’t touch your shoulders!

Anonymous

My favorites are 13 for lovely, professionalism and streamlined, and 25 for an overall attractive go everywhere do anything that can be done in heels outfit.

The blouse and necklace are very effective and sufficient color interest against the neutrals and that shade of yellow is very warm and inviting so great choice.

Kate

Veteran

I vote 4-6. That shade of yellow loves you.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I was planning to wear this pink long sleeved top with these trousers to work today (very subtle black on grey print, like a windowpane pattern, but photographs pretty grey like #7-9 in the OP). But I thought the outfit could look appropriate for the seminar with a topper - what do you think? Burgundy/ plum, white or black jacket?

(Ignore the small neck scarf & lime green tie belt accessories, since I wouldn't wear them on the day. Please also ignore the mess & my slippers as I undergo a very stressful, full bathroom reconstruction, lol!)

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Joy

Veteran

I like 1 best in the first photos, also 23, although a brighter scarf might be better.

Katerina

Veteran

So many nice options! Not so easy to choose. I vote for 4-6/31 and 25/31. The yellow blouse is beautiful in you, I love it untucked as the shape loves you. The white jacket with the lighter bottoms is great and so is the combo in pic 25.

ETA - actually, no 25 is my favorite with 4-6 in second place

Adriana

Veteran

Sorry if it wasn't clear. I meant photo 4 5 6. With the yellow blouse untucked.

Adriana

Veteran

So: yellow blouse, grey pants and white jacket. Calm but not boring and professionel.

Synne

Veteran

I second that 4-6 looks perfect! You look professional, creative, confident and trendy! Best of luck with your speech!

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Definitely 4-6! I definitely echo Synne! And I like the way the pants fit you best also. You'll stand out and command attention beautifully on stage.

Perhaps you'll be able to take the jacket off for the party? It seems sufficiently festive.

The Cat

Veteran

I meant to vote for the combo in #4-6 in your OP.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Hi, so no votes for the pink top in my last comment? I like the yellow top too, but I'm a little wary of wearing a sleeveless top instead of one with sleeves in terms of looking professprofe (I run warm & may have to take my jacket off at asomepointa ).

I'm reading all of your comments, sorry if I don't have time to respond individually justu yet!

rachylou

Veteran

The yellow really is superior IMHO. But if sleeveless is against dress code... and it is some places...

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Gosh, why is it so difficult lol? I'm thinking of just replacing the yellow sleeveless top with the thin, yellow, tucked in sweater that I wore in a past WIW. That or the purple version I have.

We're doing a rehearsal on-site today, so fingers crossed it all goes well!

prerma sharma

(website)

Member

I love that grey jacket.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@prerma sharma which grey jacket, sorry?

I ended up going with a lightweight long sleeve purple top, the black blazer, grey trousers & smaller necklace (purple, brown & white wooden cubes along a silver chain) since I didn't want to be too out there.

Overall, I think it went OK & I was well-dressed enough for questions after the performance too - no longer at that job anymore, so I'm glad I don't have to dwell on it too much anymore. Now back to teaching!