Most of us would, at some point in our lives, need to deliver some form of a presentation in front of an audience. This could be a formal presentation at work, a class presentation or a business presentation in front of potential investors. Regardless of the type of presentation, you want to look the part and have your message be received the best way possible. This starts with the right outfit. Whether we like it or not, looks do matter. This is especially true in the corporate world. That’s why if you want to look as proper as your next presentation, you should keep reading this blog post. I would be going over 7 great outfit ideas you can try the next time you’re giving a presentation to leave the best first impressions.
The general rule of thumb when it comes to presentation attire is to follow a more conservative dress code. Presentations usually involve a professional tone and setting with the sharing of information.
You want to be taken seriously and so a business casual attire is the most casual your attire should get. I would be going over some outfits that could work for presentations in different environments.
Before we dive into the different presentation outfits you can easily put together, let’s talk about the do’s and don’ts when thinking of your outfit. Here are the thing you want to stay away from when choosing your outfit:
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– Avoid loud colors and busy prints
– Do not show cleavage
– Keep skirts knee-length and longer
– Avoid heavy makeup
– Avoid clothing that is too tight
– Avoid really high heels and stick to heel heights you are comfortable with
Now that you have a good idea of what not to wear for your presentation, let’s talk about what you could wear. Whether you’re headed to a business meeting or looking for outfit inspiration for class presentations, I got you. Here are the top 7 outfits you can wear for a presentation:
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no cost to you.
What to wear for a presentation
1) A midi dress
One thing to avoid when giving an important presentation is a busy dress. Let the attention be on your words and not your looks. You want to opt for a dress in a solid color, preferably a neutral one. A midi dress with at least a short sleeve is preferable.
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It’s a safe bet to go with dresses in neutral colors such as brown, gray, black, white or even navy blue. You can also choose to go for a dress featuring a print but make sure the print is subtle. You can always add a blazer on top if you wish to hide your arms.
2) Blazer and jeans
This is as casual as it gets when it comes to business-casual attire. If you are going to wear jeans to give a presentation, ensure they aredark wash denim. No rips, no holes and a simple cut. Adding a blazer to this outfit makes it more business casual.
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Wear a simple blouse or top underneath your blazer to complete your look. You could also opt for a dress shirt if this is a business meeting. Just make sure the color choice of your shirt compliments your blazer and jeans.
3) Blouse and skirt
Pairing a blouse in a solid color with a pencil skirt is a good idea if you want to create a more feminine look. During the summer months, feel free to opt for short-sleeved blouses in solid colours. Pair it with a skirt in a complimentary color. When in doubt, choose a black skirt. This looks great on all body types and helps hide any unwanted bulges or rolls.
Get the look HERE
You could also opt for a midi skirt in a neutral color during the colder months. Add a pair of tights or leggings for an extra layer of warmth. A pair of ballet flats, loafers or kitten heels work for footwear.
4) Button up shirt with pants
If you’re not comfortable with skirts, you could pair your blouse or long-sleeved dress shirt with a pair of long dress pants. You want to wear pants that are at least calf length, even if it’s during the Summer.
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During the warm months, a pair of long culottes could be worn in the place of full black pants. Stick to pants in neutral colors such as black and navy blue. A simple white shirt could be worn to keep your outfit neutral and formal. Add a suit jacket for an even more professional look.
5) Business suit
Whether you’re opting for a skirt suit or a pantsuit, a dark suit is a great choice of outfit for a presentation in a corporate office. If the dress code is business formal and you want to look like you own the room, choose a fitted suit. your suit with a white blouse or a shirt in a neutral color.
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Keep both your suit as well as blouse simple. During the summer, you could opt for tank tops in bright colors instead, just keep the rest of your outfit simple. Choose a pair of pumps with a low heel to complete your look or a pair of flats.
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6) Maxi skirt and top
Maxi and midi skirts are both good options to go with when putting together an outfit for a more casual presentation. The longer length keeps things conservative and classy. Pleated skirts in neutral colors are great options for women who are concerned about their weight.
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A high waisted skirt would help define your waist and make you appear smaller overall. You could also add a blazer on top if you’re feeling cold or if you’re wearing a sleeveless top. During the winter months, replace your top or blouse with a sweater. Add a pair of ankle boots in a neutral color to complete your look.
7) Sweater dress
Here’s another great option to go with during the cold months. A midi sweater dress is the perfect choice to go with when you have a presentation in the winter. Choose sweater dresses in dark colors for more formal settings. If your sweater dress is above your knees, I suggest wearing a pair of black tights or leggings.
Get the look HERE
As for footwear, flat ankle boots in solid colors work perfectly. For shorter sweater dresses, you can opt for a pair of tall boots in a dark color. Add a chic coat such as a trench coat or longline belted coat if you are presenting outdoors.
I hope you have gotten some great ideas for presentation outfits. As you can see, most of the items mentioned are probably in your closet already. If this is a big presentation, you would benefit from a full dress rehearsal to practice your body language. Practice definitely makes perfect when it comes to presenting in front of a group of people.
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If you’re headed to college for your first time, check out my post 7 Chic Outfits to Wear on Your First Day of College.
Do check out my post: 7 outfit ideas to wear to a TV interview for some more outfit ideas you can refer to when speaking in public.
For those of you headed to Law School, check out my post: A Guide on What to Wear to Law School for some stylish professional looks.
I also have a post: What to wear to court (women) which shares attires that are appropriate for a court appearance.
Not sure what to wear to an academic conference? Check out my post: 11 Simple Outfits you can Wear to an Academic Conference.
Until the next post,
XOXO
Theankaraqueen