If you’d like to persuade people, consider dressing down...

If public speaking is on your agenda any time soon, don’t undress your audience..

dress LIKE your audience. A recent study found that dressing down a bit could help you get your point across. Students were asked to listen to two presentations. One was delivered by someone in a smart, professional outfit, while the other speaker was dressed casually. The students were more able to listen attentively and follow instructions from the dressed down delivery than from the suit. 

Business casual can be more effective than formal business wear at encouraging camaraderie. If you’d like to be more persuasive and perceived as “one of them,” dress accordingly.