WATCH OUT! FIRST IMPRESSIONS! & IMAGE!

Image “Personal Appearance”: Should you be judged by what you wear? Perhaps not, but the reality is, of course, that you are judged, especially women in politics has been judged a lot how we look. Is it right? No it is not right but it is a worldwide case that women in politics faces all the time so we need to learn because throughout the entire speaking process the audience will look at you.

Like with the job interview, it's how you're dressed that sets the tone of the interview and same thing with your speech. Because the way you dress speaks volumes about who you are as a person and as a politician. Let's face it, clothes talk. Whenever you enter a room for the first time, it takes only a few seconds for people you've never met to form perceptions about you and your abilities. You don't have to utter a word; people peg you one way if you're dressed in black leather, another if you're squeezed into gold lamé, and yet another if you're sporting a classic suit. Regardless of who you really are, your clothes and body language always speak first.

Develop an image of success because first impressions make a difference.
Don’t allow your attire to speak more loudly than you.
Because Sometimes Your Clothing Says More than You Do.

How should you dress? Just as in business, in politics too you need to know your audience. You need to gauge what attire will be right for the audience and the circumstance. Dressing conservatively is always the safest route, but after a little investigating of your prospective audience and facility you will know what makes you look as though you fit in with the audience. If you overdress (which is rare but can happen) or underdress (the more likely scenario), the audience may feel that you don't care enough about them.  This all hinges on the norms of the culture of the country, industry, region, political party, division, and function.

How do you find out what is the proper dress for you when you give a speech?

First and most importantly: Dress to Fit Your Audience

When you're in front of a group giving a presentation, making a speech or just plain talking, you need to choose your attire to match the event. For example, if you are speaking at the country club to business people then you will dress in a dark suit. If you are talking to a student group, you can wear casual clothes like a jacket and pant or skirt.

Hints for Dressing for Success

DO:

• Always look professional
  
• Dress for the audience, the circumstance, your political party culture, and yourself
• Wear clothes that fit
  
• Make sure your clothes are pressed
  
• Keep jackets buttoned (formal)
  
• Skirt length should be a little below the knee and never shorter than above the knee
  
• Blouses should be cotton or silk and should be white, or some other light color
• Minimal cologne or perfume
  
• Well-groomed hairstyle
  
• Cleaned and trimmed fingernails, simple manicure
  
• Formal attire requires heels; wear heels but these should be typically 1½ to 2 inches. Make sure that you can walk securely. Avoid little bows or buckles; simple is the best, always remember that!
  
• Pantyhose should be flawless (no runs) and conservative in color or matching to your clothes. 
• Always carry an extra one with you for any emergency.
  
• Conservative business make-up, and should be minimal, with lipstick and nail polish conservative tones
• Check for lipstick on your teeth

DON'T:

• Wear clothes that talk louder than you do
• Undo too many buttons on your blouse
• Wear clothing that no longer fits
• Wear wrinkled clothing
• Fabrics that have a noticeable sheen from wear
• Hair that falls in your face or obscures your eyebrows
• Hair that requires continual adjustment
• Fragrance that smells from a distance
• Busy patterns
• Anything too bright, tight, sheer or short
• Toe cleavage (open-toed shoes)
• Heels so high you're unsteady
• Light hosiery or light shoes
• Too much makeup Wear big, shiny buckles or jewelry
• Earrings that are large or dangle
• Bangle bracelets (or else anything noisy)

— Before you step onto the stage, remove name badges, conference ribbons or other ornaments. They draw the audience’s attention away from your face and your words as you speak.

— Take keys and coins out of your pockets. The jingling noise inevitably will distract from even the most passionate remarks. Empty pockets also will dull your own temptation to bury your hands in them as you speak.

— If you carry a pager or cell phone, turn it off. 

Finally, before you choose attire for an event, ask yourself? “What’s appropriate for this audience?
this event? Then you are ready to shine!