Melvin Ho
Digital Marketer & Emcee
Emcees Must Dress Appropriately for the Event they have been hired for
The emcee is the centre of attention, and they have a responsibility to represent their company well. They are in charge of creating a great first impression for those attending.
Proper attire displays professionalism and respect for those in attendance. The emcee must dress in a manner that will not distract from the event.
For formal events, like conferences & seminars, a suit is always appropriate, as long as it fits well, so it does not distract from the event itself.
For informal events, like outdoor roadshows or corporate dinner parties, it'll be best to dress to the theme.
Singapore's hot and humid weather certainly limits our options for outdoor events.
Looking for emcee outfit ideas? Confused about emcee requirements or your emcee dress code? Here are some questions to ask yourself as you decide what to wear for the event you are emceeing
Has the client given you an emcee dress code to adhere to?
If the client has indicated an emcee dress code, stick to it!
This will give the impression of consistency and professionalism. If there is no emcee dress code, go with your personal style. Just make sure it is neat and conservative. (see below) The more conservative, the better. This will project an image of respectability and professionalism.
What is the event about? Does the event have a specific theme?
If so, go with that theme. Don't struggle with emcee outfit ideas
If not, pick a theme that relates to the subject matter of the event.
For example, A networking event would require a formal business suit. A golf event could be casual. A tuxedo might best represent an awards ceremony for salespeople.
Tips for Formal Business Suits:
- A dark blue or black suit, a white or very light blue shirt, and a darker blue or black tie.
- Avoid orange or red as part of the emcee dress code.
- Red is too flashy and attracts attention away from the event.
- It is also associated with anger and energy depletion.
- Black, Dark Blue, or Gray Tie:
- Gray is the most versatile colour and goes with almost everything.
- Black goes with formal and business situations.
- Dark blue goes with everything and is a safe choice.
- White or Light Blue Shirt:
- This is a subtle way to add colour to your outfit.
Will you be required to move a lot?
Always try to understand your emcee event's emcee requirements, as this will affect your choice of emcee attire.
Some events like corporate dinner parties require the emcee to be in loosely fitted clothes, as we need to facilitate games on stage that involves a lot of movement. We even have to demonstrate dance moves, and maybe even guide the audience in a dance!
In such cases, we must also remember that we will be working up a sweat, and therefore we need to make sure our clothing is loose fitting enough to allow air to flow freely to the skin. Loose-fitting clothes also make it easy to change out if we get too hot and sweaty.
Do you need to look professional or informal?
Events like conferences, seminars require us to look professional as they are business or governmental events; on the other hand, outdoor roadshows and corporate dinners & dances can be very informal.
Informal does not mean your emcee attire is shorts and a T-shirt. It would be best if you still respected the attendees by dressing appropriately for the event.
If it is an outdoor roadshow, you'll want to wear the brand's attire (if provided) as your emcee attire, but if not provided, anything suiting the mood will do.
If it is a corporate dinner party or similar function, you'll want to dress to fit in with the attendees, which means wearing a nice suit or dress (depending on the event) and dressing up according to the theme to add to the mood!
Your emcee outfit ideas should always fit the event and emcee requirements.
Is there a theme for the event?
If there is a theme, I recommend you wear a costume or emcee attire relevant to the theme. This is especially important for themed parties; if YOU as the emcee aren't in a costume or at least an outfit relevant to the theme, your guests will easily be able to tell. It will seriously undercut the effectiveness of your party. A related tip:
If there isn't a specific theme, go with the flow and wear something comfortable and non-distracting. What is the weather forecast for the event? If it's going to be hot, I suggest you wear a lightweight cotton shirt and pants. You could also wear a linen shirt and tie. Whatever you choose, make sure it is breathable and won't cling to you after sweating.
Also, avoid dark colours; they will make you appear sombre and will cause you to absorb more heat.
What is the dress code of your event?
Sometimes, the event organisers will set the dress code for attendees to follow. This means that everyone will dress in a certain way. Your emcee attire should align with this dress code. Always follow the emcee requirements provided.
Other times, the attendees are allowed to come to the event in whatever they choose to wear. In this case, it is up to the emcee to make sure their emcee outfit is professionally representing the company.
If there is no dress code, then what should I wear? In this case, you should dress in a respectful manner of the attendees and the event itself. If you wear a suit to a business meeting, you do not dress informally by wearing a polo shirt and jeans.
What type of event is this, graduation, a seminar, or other types of ceremonies?
At the end of the day, what you wear would depend on the type of event and emcee requirements.
For example, if an acquaintance hired you to be the emcee for high school graduation, you could probably get away with wearing a polo shirt & blazer.
However, if you were hired to be the emcee at a business conference, you would like your emcee outfit to be more polished. E.g. a suit, shirt and tie.
Is this a black-tie event? If so, you should NOT wear a casual shirt and tie. You should instead wear a tuxedo or similar black-tie attire.
Conclusion
Remember that what you wear as the emcee for the event is secondary to how you present yourself. Always remember that you are there to make a good impression on the attendees and pay you to do so!
I know it is hard to believe, but your wardrobe does indeed make a difference! A well-dressed, well-groomed person makes a much better impression than someone sloppy and unkempt. And, this holds whether you are the emcee or not. Therefore, if you doubt what to wear, I suggest you err on the side of caution and dress more formally. It will make you feel better too!
The above questions help you give your emcee outfit ideas and helps you decide what to wear as the emcee for your next event!
I wish you all the best, and I hope you rock on stage!
If you ever need a Professional emcee in Singapore. Reach out to me anytime!