This is our client Steve. In the picture, 12 News in Phoenix is interviewing him. In prior interviews, Steve wore a suit jacket. He took it off during this TV appearance.
Wearing the right look challenges some people. I once wore boots, jeans and a nice long-sleeved shirt while covering a story on a military base. But a reporter sitting across from me on a bus transporting us wore a full suit. I assumed he was pretending to be the national correspondent he was not. He looked out of place.
12 News interviewed Steve about a serious subject, but wearing a suit jacket outside during a Phoenix summer doesn’t make much sense. If fact, if he had worn the jacket, viewers may have concentrated more on what he was wearing than what he was saying.
When the media interviews you, dressing for success means dressing properly for the occasion. You might give several interviews in one day and present a slightly different look each time. You also might tailor your look depending on the TV market. People in New York often see style differently than those on the West Coast.
If you think I’m over analyzing this topic, then you might not fully understand TV news and the people watching it. I sat in newsrooms for years while people commented on clothing or hair without hearing a word the person on TV said. Dress the part so people aren’t distracted from your discussion.