Not so long ago, even as business casual’s grip on corporate America was nearly complete, the status quo dress code for presenters was to overdress for the occasion. The implied authority of being on stage demanded a level of formality from the speaker even if their day-to-day dress was much more informal. Today, we’re here to tell you that you can loosen that tie—maybe—because surprise, surprise, times they are a-changin’.
It’s not that suit-and-tie attire is out. Far from it, in fact. In reaction to the often unprofessional nature of business casual attire, many companies and a huge swath of young professionals are returning to the crisp, respectful presentation of traditional business dress. But increases in entrepreneurship, self-representation and personal branding are changing the way in which presenters dress for their speaking engagements.
Dress, like any aesthetic, is a way of controlling perception. Just like the design scheme of your deck, the kind of clothing we wear and the way in which we wear it speaks volumes about who we are to the audience. Along with a strongly branded story and deck, who you are as a person is more important than ever before. Brands are more personal than ever before, more interactive. Innovative companies create engaging, enthusiastic cultures in their offices and with their people, and these brand “voices” suffuse every representation online and face-to-face.
Thus, the most important consideration when you’re picking your outfit for the next speaking engagement is what reflects either your business’s brand, or your personal brand. Your audience is accustomed to conflating individuals and companies now, and we can’t underestimate this shift. For a time, the Internet moved us away from personal interaction; now, interactivity and engagement is common. From customer service apparatuses that are moving away from automation and using technology to put consumers in touch with live bodies more quickly to the advent of professional networking via LinkedIn, the status quo is now that individuals ARE the business. It’s time presenters dress like it.
So what does this mean, practically speaking? If you represent a serious brand (i.e. a bank or financial institution whose “voice” is characterized by integrity and trust), then suit and tie is probably still the dress of choice. But if you’re a young startup dedicated to pairing emerging artists with patrons who love the arts, it’s time to dress like you’re immersed in that community.
Whatever the case, the more you understand your brand’s identity, the more you can dress to match it. Just don’t make the mistake of dressing like a fish out of water. These days, you are the brand.
Question: How do you make conscious decisions to personally reflect your brand?
