One of the questions we get asked a lot is “What should I wear on camera?”. Big productions have wardrobe departments to dress their stars, and professional presenters have the benefit of experience. But the majority of our clients are normal people – company directors, senior managers, doctors, professors and employees from a range of sectors, and the majority of projects we work on don’t have the luxury of wardrobe budgets.
So what are the basics of what to wear on camera?
Feel good, look good
The first thing to say is you should absolutely feel good about what you are wearing. Being filmed, or presenting to an online audience, can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for those who aren’t used to it. The last thing you need is to also feel uncomfortable about what you are wearing. If you are comfortable and relaxed about what you are wearing, you are more likely to come across as comfortable and relaxed on screen.
Dress to match
Think about your audience, your message and what sort of image you want to portray. If you are the CEO of a financial services company presenting a serious video on investments to potential clients, a suit might be better received than a vest and jogging bottoms. Unless you’re wearing your company’s branded uniform, it’s also a good idea to avoid logos and slogans.
Think carefully about bold colours
There is nothing wrong with wearing bold colours on camera. However, it’s worth considering your choice carefully. Remember, you may be positioned in close proximity to your brand or slide deck in the final video and bold colours that clash can be a distraction.
Green?
If you are filming in front of a green screen (a technique that allows the background to be replaced in post-production) then you really should avoid greens and probably yellows too. Even if they are not the exact shade as the green screen, the software will try to remove them from the image! Not something you want to happen.
Stripes and patterns
Cameras are pretty good these days – especially the ones we use, and deal with stripes and patterns fairly well. However, what you are less in control of is the resolution and the screens that your audience are using to watch you on. Some lower resolution screens can make complex patterns look very strange and distracting, so our advice is they are probably best avoided.
If you are unsure, it might make sense to bring an alternative outfit. Of course, your production company should be able to give you some advice and confirm if an outfit will work on camera.
