Sartorial Selections for Public Speaking Gigs

Congratulations. You've been invited to give a presentation in front of a large audience. You've obviously mastered one discipline - now it's time to develop expertise in a few others: overcoming public-speaking jitters, and selecting appropriate attire.

A reader writes this week about such a quandary. Specifically, he is concerned not so much with the particular type of clothing, but its caliber, and the image it projects.

For example, when you're in front of a crowd, is it time to dress for success with a $5,000 Brioni suit and Rolex watch, or is it better to downplay your financial achievements, keeping in line with the attire of your audience? This is a tough call and really depends as much on your personal preferences as your finances and comfort level. Still, the subject matter of your speech can provide a lot of guidance, and as a general rule of thumb, you should also consider your audience and what you want them to take away from the event.

For example, if you'll be expounding on your sound financial-planning practices (and are plugging the book you wrote on the topic), an expensive, well made suit and fine accessories - watch and cufflinks for the guys, some killer gemstones for the ladies - might make you seem more credible in the eyes of your audience: "If he can afford that suit, he must know what he's talking about!"

On the other hand, overdressing can have the opposite effect, and can even hurt your cause. If you are speaking on behalf of a nonprofit organization trying to raise money for cancer research or to fight animal abuse, the appearance of great wealth can lead your audience to conclude that the money they are donating to your charity is ill-spent. You'd be better off in a flattering suit that doesn't seem to have just been flown in from Italy on your personal jet. Ultimately, remember that the most important element of your presentation is your message. Your attire should merely enhance, not distract, from it.

Dear Jordan,

A lot of the suits I've tried on recently are too long in the arms, but it seems to be the trend to have lot of buttons at the cuff. Can a tailor adjust the sleeve length with those in the way?

- Marisa, Manhattan

Dear Marisa,

It is likely that a tailor can take care of the problem, but depending on the type of buttonholes (real vs. imitation) and the type of fabric, the method of doing so may be quite expensive. Many buttonholes today are just for decoration. On a $250 suit made of acetate, for example, the buttons and threads can be removed without leaving a mark and simply moved up after shortening. For real buttonholes, or imitation buttonholes on very fine fabric, where needle marks will remain, the tailor will have to shorten the sleeves from the shoulder, rather than the cuff, which will hike up the price of alteration considerably.

Dear Jordan,

Is it polite to wear perfume in an office shared by others?

- Sarah, Manhattan

Dear Sarah,

Scents, even pleasant ones, can cause headaches and exacerbate allergies, especially in a closed office environment. Fragrance should be noticeable to your officemates only when they're leaning over your shoulder to help you with your computer.

Ms. Speer is the senior editor of an apparel business magazine. Send workplace or corporate fashion questions to styleforsuccess@aol.com.