what to wear on a video call
Style

What to wear on a video call

What to wear on a video call is a request I’ve been getting a lot lately, as so many more people are finding themselves working remotely as we navigate this new reality of living with a pandemic.

people on a video call

In general, dress as you normally would for work, for a lunch date, for a drinks get-together, but here are a few  specifics about what to wear (and what NOT to wear) for video conferences. 

Do’s 

  • Wear clothes that flatter your body shape and that are comfortable/ appropriate : Choose pieces that have some structure and skim the body without clinging.
  • Wear colours that flatter you. This should probably go without saying, but avoid colours that tend to wash you out or don’t flatter your skin tone. Click on the relevant image below for more details.
  • A medium shade of blue or green is almost always a safe bet, as are all jewel tones. 
  • Choose solid, bold colours. 
  • A jacket or blouse with a collar is a good way of making yourself look professional for a business meeting.

  • Wear jewellery that is simple and small or medium-sized, depending on your personal style. Big, shiny statement jewellery can be distracting, but you definitely want to wear something that reflects your personality and helps complete your outfit. Earrings and a necklace are probably all that will show, but if you’ll be wearing headphones, you can eliminate earrings altogether. Click on the relevant image above for more details.

  • A necklace, scarf or brooch can help to draw attention to your face but make sure it’s not too overwhelming. Click on the relevant image above for more details.
  • You can take advantage of the fact that the camera can’t see below your waist by wearing comfortable bottoms and shoes, but your top half should look professional and put-together. However, I would still recommend wearing a dress, skirt or trousers (ie don’t just dress from the waist up – you might have to stand up to get something!)
  • The camera tends to wash people out, so you may need more blush or foundation than you normally wear. 

  • Also, wear a brighter/ stronger lipstick colour. Just click on the relevant image above for more details.
  • If you wear glasses, make sure they have a non-reflective coating.
  • Dress appropriately for the situation ie; I wouldn’t dress the same for a Skype call with friends as for a business video.  

Don’ts

  • Avoid stripes which tend to blur on camera. 
  • Avoid loud and very small patterns, which can distract the attention away from you and what you’re saying. 
  • Don’t wear clothes that you are uncomfortable in : Make sure the clothes you’re wearing don’t bunch up, gape, or reveal too much cleavage once you sit down.
  • If a sweater is too tight, it will create unflattering lumps and bumps when sitting, but if it’s too loose and flowy, it will drape and add visual weight.
  • Don’t wear solid white or black.
  • Don’t wear noisy or jangly bangles or earrings.
  • If wearing a microphone make sure it doesn’t bang on your jewellery.

Have a look at the video below for a brief recap of what to wear on a video call :

And finally, for what to wear on a video call, remember to

what to wear on a video call

1 Respect the key styling rules about body shape, colour and situation

2 Do a final check before going live (lipstick on teeth, messy hair, shiny nose – keep tissues and a hairbrush to hand) 

3 Record yourself talking for a few minutes prior to the call to make sure you look alive, but not too “overdone”.

I hope you find these tips about what to wear on a video call helpful, and you might also enjoy this post on 5 common style mistakes and how to avoid them, or have a look at How to look Elegant and Classy on a budget.

46 Comments

  1. These are such good tips! So timely right now with us all doing many video calls with working from home so much! I only have the occasional video call for work so I’m in relaxed loungewear most of the time, haha! But I do make nan effort to wear proper clothes if I have a video call booked in.

    Hope that you had a lovely weekend 🙂

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thanks Mica! I try to make an effort to dress up most days as it makes me feel better 🙂

  2. I’m on video calls almost every day and these are helpful tips! I always wear bright lipstick!

    Jill – Doused in Pink

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thanks Jill! So glad you found the tips helpful xo

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      So glad you find them helpful x

  3. Yeah, we shouldn’t wear stripes:) Happy weekend❤

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thanks for stopping by Kinga!

  4. This is all incredibly thoughtful advice. I would never think of not wearing stripes that merge in on video call or earrings that might create noise or get in the way of a microphone but really it makes perfect sense. I also agree that an all white or an black styling can look too strict on a call. Great tip about filming ourselves a few minutes before the call and seeing how we look. I think it also helps with the call itself. Some people are not used to using themselves on camera and it can make them nervous or distract them from the call, so that’s a great tip as well- seeing ourselves before helps us relax and stop stressing about how we look .

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thank you Ivana! I’m so glad you found the advice helpful! I used to get very stressed on video calls and so I started filming myself a few minutes before to calm myself and it worked for me! xo

  5. Video calls are becoming part of our daily routines.. so thanks for the tips!
    xx Dasynka
    http://dasynka.com

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Glad you liked the tips Dasynka xo

  6. Ah yes indeed great tips I learned a lot of these from making my videos. And thank you for the kind words on my blog

    Allie of
    http://www.allienyc.com

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thanks for reading Allie, and I hope you are Ok x

  7. Margot says:

    So many great tips here.
    There is a lot of things I would of not think about.
    Thanks for sharing.
    xx
    Margot

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      So glad you liked the tips Margot x

  8. jodie filogomo says:

    This is so appropriate now Julia. And the stripes thing is a good tip. I always forget that until it’s too late.
    XOOX
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Yes, they tend to go blurry on video calls!

  9. Dominika Sygula says:

    Amazing as always such a useful post especially at the moment with most of us having to work from home and dealing with video calls, and OMG its been years !! I doubt you will remember me I use to go by Dominica S. before then I changed to The Missing Chapter stopped for years now am back again ahaha… I use to ALWAYS read your blog so happy I found you again…

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Lovely to see you back Dominica and I will stop by your blog and say Hi!

  10. These are great tips! So useful for today’s world and all the video calls we are having.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Andrea.

    Seize your Style

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Glad you like the tips Andrea! We are certainly spending more time on video calls than ever before!

  11. Great tips! I think this can be confusing- knowing what to wear and look our best on video calls, especially now that we’re having them so often.

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thanks Ashley! I have never spent so much time on video calls x

  12. These are such a great and useful tips. I didn’t think about earings during video call and this is great advice. Thank you for sharing.

    New Post – https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2020/11/ysl-black-opium-eau-de-parfum.html

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      So glad you found the advice helpful! I love wearing earrings but it’s very frustrating when they catch in the wires ! xo

  13. These are great tips! For sure getting more video calls these day. I do hope when things get better that we shy away from it.

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Yes, I hope so too! I don’t mind the video calls but it would be nice to meet up face to face again too!

  14. These are amazing and so helpful tips, Julia. Wearing comfortable but job-appropriate clothes is so important.

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thank you Nina xo

  15. Great tips, I guess we have to Thank this pandemic for making us talk about this 🙂
    I always Go for business piece On top, cozy piece for the bottom.
    Sonia
    http://www.soniaaicha.com

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      I can totally understand that! I try to stay reasonably smart on the bottom just in case I have to stand up! xo

  16. Wonderful tips! I like to wear bright lips for business calls. It helps bring the attention to face without much effort.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    http://www.mynameislovely.com

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Totally agree Lovely! I love a bright lip colour too xoxo

  17. Gata Collins says:

    Thank you for all the amazing tips! <3

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Glad you like them Gata x

  18. Elizabeth Walker says:

    Thank you for the very practical tips! I totally agree with all of them!

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      So glad you like them Elizabeth x

  19. Great tips, I agree that stripes aren’t a good option ❤

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thank you Kinga! So glad you liked the tips! 🙂

  20. Lovely and very helpful tips, thank you.
    Thankfully we don’t have to do too many video calls and only those that want can put their cameras on. I prefer comfy clothes and no make up days, after all this is one of the perks of being at home and not having to get ready. 🙂
    Elegant Duchess xx
    https://www.elegantduchess.com/

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Sp glad you liked the tips! I love the no makeup days when I don’t have any calls – it’s great to let my skin breathe 🙂

  21. These are great tips Julia! Do I need to heed them when we speak tomorrow. Lol! This post theme is one that many people need to read. 🙂

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      Thanks Kathrine! 🙂 It was great to catch up with you on Zoom too xo

  22. Itzel Najar says:

    This is so helpful for this time!
    thanks for sharing!!!

    1. The Velvet Runway says:

      So glad you found it helpful 🙂

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