What to Wear on Stage: An AV Pro's Guide for Speakers
You’ve finalized your presentation and practiced your delivery. But one of the most common questions we get from speakers is also one of the most overlooked: "What should I wear?"
This isn't a question of fashion; it's a critical part of production. Your outfit can directly affect how you look on camera, how you sound on the microphone, and how comfortable you feel on stage. An outfit that pinches, clinks, or blends into the background can distract from your message.
As part of our speaker communication process, here are our professional tips for choosing an outfit that supports your presentation.
1. Your First Priority: Be Confident & Comfortable
Your first priority is always comfort. If you are focused on an itchy tag, a pinching shoe, or a tight waistband, you will be visibly distracted, and your audience will notice.
Choose clothes that fit well and allow you to move naturally.
Avoid anything that itches, pinches, or requires constant adjustment.
Pro-Tip: Do a full "dress rehearsal" in your planned outfit. Walk in it, sit in it, and practice gesturing to ensure it feels right and doesn't ride up or pull.
2. Dress with the Microphone in Mind
Most professional events use a lapel (lavalier) or headset microphone. Both connect to a transmitter belt-pack that is roughly the size of a deck of cards. This pack needs a secure place to clip onto your clothing.
The Safest Choices:
Separates (like pants or a skirt) with a sturdy waistband.
A belt that the pack can clip onto.
A blazer, sport coat, or cardigan, which can also help conceal the pack and its wire.
The Challenge (Dresses & Jumpsuits): If you're wearing a dress or jumpsuit, the best option is to incorporate a belt or cinch. If that isn't possible, please be prepared for our audio tech to clip the pack to the back of your bra or waistband.
A Note on Fabrics: Be cautious with very thin, light fabrics like silk. The weight of the small microphone clip may cause the material to fold or pull awkwardly.
3. Choose Solid Colors for the Camera
What you wear is being filmed and projected onto large screens. Solid colors are the strongest and safest choice for cameras and bright stage lights.
Avoid Busy Patterns & Large Logos: These pull focus and distract the audience from your face and your message.
Avoid Tight, Small Patterns: Very small, tight patterns (like thin pinstripes or a houndstooth check) can create a distracting "shimmer" or "moiré" effect on camera.
A-Note on Black & White:
Stark Black can cause you to blend into the (often dark) stage background.
Stark White can be too bright under stage lights, causing it to "blow out" on camera and wash out your face.
The Best Choices: Jewel tones (sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red) and earth tones are almost always a great choice.
4. Keep Accessories Fixed and Silent
Microphones are extremely sensitive and will pick up any noise near them. Your accessories must have minimal movement and noise.
What to Avoid: Dangling earrings, layered or "clinking" necklaces, and jangling bracelets will be heard by the audience and are highly distracting.
The Best Choices: Stud earrings, tight hoops, or a simple, fixed necklace are the safest options. They won't make noise, bump the microphone, or bounce distractingly on the big screens.
Final Thoughts
Choosing what to wear is a key part of your presentation planning. By thinking through comfort, microphone placement, and how you'll look on camera, you can step on stage feeling confident and ready to deliver your message.
At Plato Media Co., our job is to make sure every presenter is fully supported. Contact us today to learn how our production process builds confidence for your entire team.
