Dressing The Part

When I joined Toastmasters in 1990, there was a dress code, of sorts, where the members dressed professionally to attend meetings, but most especially, if they were slated to give a speech.  It was unheard of in those days to stand before a group in shorts, T-shirt, and running shoes.  About 10 years later, the scene had changed entirely, with almost every club favoring the "casual" look.  I put that word in quotation marks because casual can, indeed, mean different things to different people.  The overall attitude was that Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops were okay at these meetings, not to mention shorts, jeans, and otherwise "comfortable" attire.  Comfortable is one thing; sloppy is another. 

Call me a stick in the mud, but I believe Toastmasters, as a professional organization, calls for professional attire.  Of course, "professional" can include plumbers and tree-cutters, but the general ambiance and purpose of Toastmasters is to foster confidence before groups, increase self-confidence, improve communication, especially with management, and learn to present well before groups.  I realize that one can be called upon to present before a group of plumbers, but for the most part, that is not what is meant by the abiding principals of Toastmasters.

Toastmasters ought to consider the image they present to the world, both within clubs, and when they reveal their affiliations.  Even birds don colorful and flamboyant plumage as a way to attract females to their nest, and announce that they are ready for mating.  There is all kind of evidence throughout the natural world that "beauty" is desirable, so dressing the part is encouraged.