My first year of law school wasn’t easy. Something was different about law school compared to my previous college experiences. The pace was different. The material was different. Standards for success were different. There was a sense of urgency in the air, and it felt like being in a race without knowing where the finish line was or how to get there.
And when it came time to give presentations in class, even though I had given dozens of presentations before my first year of law school, it felt different. Somehow, the stakes felt higher, even though I had spoken in front of thousands of people before, and this would be in front of a class of 100 or so.
I prepared for my presentation, and then I practiced, practiced, and practiced some more. I stumbled over my words less each time.
And I focused on dressing to make myself feel confident.
I put extra attention into how I dressed that day, how my hair and makeup looked. And when it came time for me to speak, I could focus on what I was going to say, not how I looked. I had already taken care of that.
As you prepare for a presentation, take time to plan your outfit. If you’re not sure what outfit will make you feel most powerful, try a well-structured sheath or shift dress. By well-structured, I mean it has a shape of its own; it doesn’t just hang on you and cling to your body. Make sure the fit is right and that it’s not too short, too tight, or too low-cut in the neckline. Choose a color that you love (I gravitate toward blues), even a bright one. Simple patterns are fine, but avoid anything too busy.
For a presentation, you don’t need to look to formal, so you don’t need a full suit or even a blazer, but if a jacket would make you feel more confident, try adding a white one over top of your dress, assuming that works with the color of your dress. Not sure of a color combo? Try a white blazer over a black dress.
Prepare. Practice. Dress powerfully.