So by now, we’ve all kind of gotten used to the New Normal of work clothing – basically, looking decent from the waist up, and wearing fluffy llama pajamas on the bottom.
…quit looking at me like that, the llama pajamas are rad.
But even in the wild new world of waist-up dressing, there are some basic rules to follow to look professional on a video call. Whether you’re Zoom-bound, Skypeing, Google Meet-ing, or testing out some new platform that just sprang up, you always want to look professional, pulled-together, and like you actually made an effort.
Because guess what? Working remote is still working and you want to present a competent professional image – even, or perhaps especially, when the world feels like it’s on fire.
In general, you can wear what you would normally wear to the office for a virtual meeting. You can also often get away with a simplified version of that, since the other folks on the call are in the same boat you are, for the most part – they’re going to be sympathetic to you wearing a basic black tee and maybe a simple accessory.
But there’s also a few video-specific mistakes you can make that will keep you from looking your best on camera. Let’s break it down.
What To Avoid Wearing on a Video Call
1. The Wall Colour
Don’t wear the colour of the wall behind you. And yes, you should have a plain wall back there. Sure, you can set a virtual background – but those are usually better reserved for calls with friends or family than for your boss or that new client account you’re trying to win.
Instead, you look more professional when you have a clean, uncluttered background – either a solid wall, or something draped with a simple sheet or shower curtain with little to no pattern.
Whatever you wear, make sure it’s not the same tone as the wall. So no white or ivory if you’re in front of a plain white wall; no salmon shirts in front of your coral accent wall.
Remember, you want people focusing on you and your ideas and contributions during any meeting – not wondering why you’re a floating head on a sea of navy.
2. Bright Green
Okay, so you went with that virtual background of swaying palm trees after all. Fine, you do you, babe.
Just don’t pair that with a bright green top. I guarantee you will have a shoulder, arm, or chunk of your chest disappear into the background at some point on your call, making it look like you don’t understand how technology works.
Not a good look – literally or figuratively.
Bright green clothes act like a virtual green screen, and software like Zoom will impose your virtual background right over top. This is hilarious and super-fun to play with on your next virtual happy hour call, but distracting as heck during a business meeting.
So stay away from the bright greens.
You should be able to wear forest green, moss tones, and even jade, but anything edging into green-screen territory is a no-go.
If in doubt, test your garment of choice in front of a virtual background before logging into your call.
3. Skin Tone
Another great way to make yourself vanish on a Zoom call is to wear something skin-toned. This is generally not the greatest fashion choice for a top in the first place, but it’s especially distracting on a video call.
I mean, making people wonder if you’re wearing clothes at all? Not the best impression! Although you’re likely to get remembered, at least.
Stick with solid, neutral or bold colours like black, burgundy, navy, grey, teal, or plum. They all reproduce well onscreen and go with most any skin tone.
4. Medium-Size Prints
Very small prints and very large prints tend to look decent on camera, but medium prints are a challenge, my friend.
Dots, stripes, florals, and other midsize patterns tend to blur together – or create a weird moving optical illusion that just doesn’t look great on camera.
Again, the name of the game with Zoom calls is to avoid distractions. Patterns that get swept up in the uncanny valley of webcam reproduction catch your viewer’s eye and attention – they’ll be thinking more about what you’re wearing (and possibly how they’re getting a little seasick from the pattern distortion) than about what you’re saying.
And that means you won’t be as effective as you should be. So nix the midsize patterns and stick to small ones (which read as solids on camera) or very large ones (that read as graphic prints). Or just avoid the whole thing and go with solids.
5. Super-Sparkly Accessories
Say it with me: no distractions!
Super-sparkly earrings or necklaces tend to catch the light and then turn into glare on camera, sometimes even sparking a halo effect that can blur your face.
So no rhinestones or even very highly polished metal if it’s a larger piece.
Keep your accessories on the lower-key side, or wear something fun like 3D printed earrings or a statement necklace. How about breaking out that collection of funky scarves?
You can still have fun with your look – just be aware of how the light from your work setup and the camera interact with your accessories and consider keeping back the reflective bling for another occasion.
6. Anything Very Low-Cut
Although this generally goes for all office attire, wearing a super-low-cut top is a particular no-no for video calls. Depending on where your camera is angled, you can end up looking nearly naked or showing off way more than you planned.
While I’m a big believer in wearing what makes you feel comfortable and confident, and thinking that if you got ’em, you should be able to flaunt ’em within reason, a business situation is also not the best place to be testing the staying power of your bustier. Keep it to the tasteful top of your cleavage just to make sure the webcam doesn’t accidentally take a deep dive you didn’t intend!
7. Yesterday’s Clothes
Yes, Virginia, wrinkles do show up on camera! Modern HD webcams pick up more than you’d think, and that rumpled shirt you grabbed off the floor at 8:57 to make your 9am conference call doesn’t look nearly as fresh and crisp as you thought.
Go ahead and sleep in before your next work call, but make sure you’ve got an outfit planned, ready, and wrinkle-free on a hanger or folded neatly. You can roll out of bed and into your shirt and blazer or cardigan, fluff your hair, and go.
Trust me, you’ll feel better, too, being in something clean and fresh – and that translates to feeling confident and ready to contribute on your call. Win-win!
Action Steps
- Go get dressed!
- If you’re in your PJs, put on a top that makes you feel both comfy and confident.
- If you’re wearing something decent already, give yourself a pat on the back and go have a cookie (side benefits of WFH, amirite?)
- Plan tomorrow’s outfit
- Lay out a sleek top and a cool accessory. Choose something that makes you feel large and in charge, then see what a difference it makes to your getting-ready routine and to how you feel going through your business for the day.
- Consider planning a week’s worth of clothes
- Take the stress and guesswork out of your morning by laying out 3-5 days worth of clothes in advance. By pre-planning, you win back time in the morning to sleep, have coffee, poke social media, whatever makes you feel more on top of your day.
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