Happy New Year everyone! Let us toast to a new us for 2015! A new look perhaps?
I was never a fashionista (defined as a devoted follower of fashion). I would usually choose comfort over style when deciding what clothes and shoes to wear.
Having worked for a non-profit organisation for years further reduced my wardrobe selection to just plain shirt, faded jeans, and durable rubber shoes. There is no need to be in full fashion gear when going to far-flung areas to visit communities (some villages I visited were so far that even the government forgot about them already!). I remembered having to carefully walk through a long, narrow road filled with mud in a village in Bangladesh to prevent myself from sliding (Did I mention that tough shoes are life savers?).
It is not a surprise then to see me speaking to a crowd in a village wearing just my shirt and jeans.
I was never a fashionista (defined as a devoted follower of fashion). I would usually choose comfort over style when deciding what clothes and shoes to wear.
Having worked for a non-profit organisation for years further reduced my wardrobe selection to just plain shirt, faded jeans, and durable rubber shoes. There is no need to be in full fashion gear when going to far-flung areas to visit communities (some villages I visited were so far that even the government forgot about them already!). I remembered having to carefully walk through a long, narrow road filled with mud in a village in Bangladesh to prevent myself from sliding (Did I mention that tough shoes are life savers?).
It is not a surprise then to see me speaking to a crowd in a village wearing just my shirt and jeans.
Interestingly, a few weeks ago, while preparing breakfast, I heard on TV that dressing well as a speaker is a sign of giving respect to one’s audience.
That statement made me pause and think. I never thought of it in relation to respect before.
In the past, I would think of dressing well as something you do for yourself – to feel good, to feel comfortable, etc. Such statement gave me a different perspective on the importance of being well dressed – it is all about RESPECT.
I would like to add to this though – giving respect is not only by being well dressed but also by being appropriately dressed. The key word here is APPROPRIATE.
Now looking back at my visits to the villages, I think I would still wear my plain shirt, jeans and rubber shoes when giving a speech in the village.
For me, it is a sign of respect – by being appropriately dressed depending on where you are, what situation you are in and who the audience is. I think wearing a suit or corporate clothes, although you may look well dressed, would be inappropriate while being with audiences who barely have enough money to buy food.
I remembered usually wearing traditional clothing called kurti when visiting villages in South Asian countries like India or Bangladesh. This is my way of showing respect to them by wearing something appropriate or acceptable to their culture.
But when I am invited to be the host for weddings and formal events, I transform into a lady dressed for the occasion (yes, I do wear formal and fashionable clothes too!).
That statement made me pause and think. I never thought of it in relation to respect before.
In the past, I would think of dressing well as something you do for yourself – to feel good, to feel comfortable, etc. Such statement gave me a different perspective on the importance of being well dressed – it is all about RESPECT.
I would like to add to this though – giving respect is not only by being well dressed but also by being appropriately dressed. The key word here is APPROPRIATE.
Now looking back at my visits to the villages, I think I would still wear my plain shirt, jeans and rubber shoes when giving a speech in the village.
For me, it is a sign of respect – by being appropriately dressed depending on where you are, what situation you are in and who the audience is. I think wearing a suit or corporate clothes, although you may look well dressed, would be inappropriate while being with audiences who barely have enough money to buy food.
I remembered usually wearing traditional clothing called kurti when visiting villages in South Asian countries like India or Bangladesh. This is my way of showing respect to them by wearing something appropriate or acceptable to their culture.
But when I am invited to be the host for weddings and formal events, I transform into a lady dressed for the occasion (yes, I do wear formal and fashionable clothes too!).
I was fortunate to interact with preacher and couturier Bro. Adrian Panganiban, the stylist of preacher and best-selling author Bro. Bo Sanchez. He shared some tips on how to dress well as a speaker.
1. Less is more. Especially for the ladies – do not over accessorise unless you are a celebrity.
2. Choose comfort above all else. When your dress is comfortable, you can deliver your speech well.
3. Consider the style and the price. Be stylish but not expensive. No need to have branded clothes. But if you have the money for more expensive clothes, no one is stopping you from buying.
4. Colour is key. You do not want the colour of your dress to be the main attraction while you speak. The colour of your dress can be a distraction. Pastel and earth colours are good choices especially for the ladies.
5. Go for classic or timeless cuts or style. It never fails. Invest on quality.
6. Invest on good shoes. If you are standing on a high stage, your shoes are almost at the same level with the audience’s eyes. Makes you want to have good shoes, right?
7. Be physically fit. You know why you need to be fit.
8. Have good posture.
1. Less is more. Especially for the ladies – do not over accessorise unless you are a celebrity.
2. Choose comfort above all else. When your dress is comfortable, you can deliver your speech well.
3. Consider the style and the price. Be stylish but not expensive. No need to have branded clothes. But if you have the money for more expensive clothes, no one is stopping you from buying.
4. Colour is key. You do not want the colour of your dress to be the main attraction while you speak. The colour of your dress can be a distraction. Pastel and earth colours are good choices especially for the ladies.
5. Go for classic or timeless cuts or style. It never fails. Invest on quality.
6. Invest on good shoes. If you are standing on a high stage, your shoes are almost at the same level with the audience’s eyes. Makes you want to have good shoes, right?
7. Be physically fit. You know why you need to be fit.
8. Have good posture.
Here’s a good quote I like from Bro. Adrian that we can use as a mantra at times when we do not want to think of what to wear when we are scheduled to speak: “We should all be feeling good. When we feel good, we would look good. If we look good, we would do good.”
Dress well to show respect.
Dress well to deliver well.
So what would you try from these tips for this year?
Dress well to show respect.
Dress well to deliver well.
So what would you try from these tips for this year?