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This is really interesting to see the Culture changing. I think 5-10 years ago it would have always been a suit and tie.
I think the world is changing and especially when you have influencers like Steve Jobs.
Hey Tony and Don....I get it. The last thing you want to do as a speaker is make your audience feel uncomfortable and "talk" down to them like you are superior.
I have always wanted to dress up for an audience and make sure they know I respect them and to respect me.
This is very interesting to me, when you dress down like Tony mentioned in Tommy Bahamas shirt and shorts on stage....I can see this on a vacation/event in a tropical place, but, would you do this at an event in Dallas, texas, even though it's an offsite event people are travelling into?
Eric

[Edison Victorino Contribution Level: 2]

I am really interested in getting feedback on this topic....attire.

I have created many B2B companies over the years and I have always thought you need to Dress For Success. This means, Look Professional. The way your prospects perceive you is the way they will treat you.

Everytime I speak at events I wear Suits, I do not wear a tie. I want to look professional so people treat me professionally and there is something about how a nice suit makes you feel inside.

Now, I am really interested in everyone's feedback to this question because I just saw recent video of the "No-Excuses" seminar event in Las Vegas with some of the Top Online Marketers....I was very surprised to see many of the Speakers on stage in Shorts or Jeans (and a long sleeve shirt).

Am I old School or just getting old in my thinking that if you are a speaker at an event, you should dress professionally? But then, I see video of Steve Jobs in Jeans and Black Mock collar shirt.

What does everyone think about this, very interested?

Thanks,
Eric

You're dress is your brand. You dress to impress and to have a good posture. First impression last.

[Ceri Wood Contribution Level: 2]

I guess it depends on the context and who you are. If you're Mike Dillard, you can wear what you want! However, if you're just getting started and are having trouble getting taken seriously, you may want to smarten up a bit . But one of the main points of this business is to live life on your own terms - presumably that includes what you wear

[Simone Hardy Company: Keller Williams Realty Contribution Level: 2]

I agree with you Eric that one should look the part of a professional however in this day and time of the 4-hour work week and other thought patterns that have emerged that say live life the way you choose, a dressing "down" in business so to speak seems to have taken place, especially among men. Most women will dress up or dress business casual. I haven't seen women wear jeans and T-shirts unless it is a business picnic and everyone will be dressed the same. Having said that, I also believe that one should consider the audience that they are addressing. If you're speaking to a bunch of younger folk who don't really care what you wear and you want to "fit in" their world you may want to wear jeans and a t-shirt. Ultimately, I believe it is how you want to be perceived that will dictate what one will wear. You may also argue that as long as your belief system and your confidence are 100% strong and you are bringing value - it will not matter what you wear. Great post. Good food for thought.

Great feedback! Simone I agree with you! You just hit on a REALLY big piece I think is critical to this whole conversation.
I just shot a quick video to explain it and posted it here on better networker because I wanted to get my point across (even though not sure how my brain was clicking at 6:00 am when I shot the video).
The word is "value". This is a huge component to this conversation! I think maybe it might not be so much what you wear but if you have high perceived value, then how you dress is not so important.

Check it out and let me know what you think....do you agree?

http://www.betternetworker.com/videos/v ... ller-1-tip

Thanks,
Eric

[Alan Turner Company: Numis Network Contribution Level: 2]

I think Ramadan said it best above, dress for the occasion. If that occasion is a financial education seminar, then a suit is probably the best bit of attire to wear but if you are at a relationship seminar, jeans a a polo shirt would probably suit the setting best.

I personally love wearing a suit, I love the way it makes me feel and I am instantly taken more seriously when I wear one, however, during the day I pretty much do not have cause to wear one. I wear business casual most days and many Fridays I wear jeans and a t-shirt, bit of dress down for me.

I think, when I get to speak on stage, that I will gauge the audience and what seminar it is before I speak that will then determine what I wear.

One of my dreams is when I am able to, is to walk in to a luxury car dealer in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops and buy my Audi R8, silly I know, but just to be able to do that and see the look on the salesman's face will be priceless!

God bless, live life!

Alan

[Daniel Attard Company: Neways Worldwide Contribution Level: 3]

I think this particular topic also reflects upon your type of personality. For example, if you are really care free and laidback you tend to dress that way

Daniel Attard

[Mario Sanders Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 6]

I just watched a television show where people were auditioning for a song contest.
I understand you can dress very casual riding the bus to where you have to go to audition. But the fact you are going to an audition to sing on national television, you should dress more presentable than what you wear every day on the streets.
The judges don't look at what you wear, but how you sound musically and professionally.
First impressions, if you don't look presentable, then you probably don't sound professionally until you sound like you are suppose to be there in the contest.
It does seems like our dress codes have changed in our society. A person would go buy a brand new pair of jeans that look like they have worn out threads and holes in them and call it causal.
What are we saying? Dress for success does not matter? Is it what's inside the person that really matters!

Mario, great comment! Does first impression "taint" the way people feel about you before you even start talking?
This was the basis of why this whole conversation started....I feel like dress for success means exactly that...dress to impress!
There was a book actually written on dressing for success and how dressing up made you feel and how others felt about you.
Here's an example....why do all Financial Advisors always wear suits?
Is it because they are dealing with Money and they want you to be 100% confident that they are serious and they take their job serious?
So with that in mind, would you invest your money in someone that is wearing jeans and a shirt?
Thoughts?
Eric

[Chris Brown Contribution Level: 3]

I agree that if you dress professional you will have greater success. I have a image coach who has worked with some of the world top gurus one of the thing he says it is important to consider why some people are not buying from you.

There is nothing wrong with wearing T-shirts and Short if that is the type of people you want to attract. This is also important in your picture as well as your videos.

I like your profile picture it is professional. I have a picture of myself on a cruise ship in a dress shirt with my wife.

In every video I am also wearing a dress shirt. If you notice wear people are filming there video as well as what people are wearing this does not say success.

You need to place yourself in places that people what to be I normally go to the beach, harbors, and marinas.

Thanks for the great post.