Page 176 - The New Articulate Executive_ Look, Act and Sound Like a Leader

HOW TO DRESS 167

WHAT WOMEN
SHOULD WEAR

Women who speak a lot either in business or in politics seem to
prefer conservative business suits. Barring that, they will generally
opt for dresses that look expensive yet give no suggestion that the
wearer is trying in any way to appear sexy. Of course, naturally
presentable women cannot help that they do, in fact, sometimes look
attractive to men in their audiences—but no woman speaker in her
right mind, even in our politically correct times, should lose any
sleep over that simple truth or consciously try to change it. Common
sense demands, for example, that the neckline not distract.
Women speakers’ business suits tend to span a wider color spec-
trum than those of their male counterparts. Pastel colors, for exam-
ple, are not uncommon. Bold reds and blues are the most popular of
the bright colors.
Hemlines go up and down, but the best-dressed and most expe-
rienced women speakers seem to be telling us:
1. Keep it simple—stick to conservative suits and dresses in solid
colors.
2. Reduce jewelry to a minimum, thereby cutting down on dis-
tractions from the face and eyes.
3. Go easy on eye makeup.
4. Don’t wear hats when you speak—unless you are outside, or
happen to be a member of the British royal family.
5. Use scarves whenever appropriate to add a certain flair and style

of your own without appearing to be too fashion-conscious.

Over the years, many of my corporate clients have been women
who have on occasion expressed personal concerns about speaking

in public. Some have confided to me, for example, their discomfort
about having to follow a particularly robust, commanding male
speaker. They know, correctly, that their voices are not as deep or
resonant and perhaps do not carry as well. The contrast, they are