Not everything that looks good in reality is well received in front of a camera. An outfit in which you look great can, for example, make you pale and colorless in a recording. Or it just looks like a contourless surface in the picture. When things get really bad, wrong clothing can even cause really annoying picture effects. All this reduces the overall impression of you as a person. Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid if you pay attention to a few simple things.
So what to wear in front of the camera?
In order for you to make the most of your shots, I have put together the seven most important tips you should pay attention to when choosing your clothes for the video shoot. So you don’t just look really good in front of the mirror in your outfit, but also later on the video screen!
1. the feel-good factor
The most important ingredient for a good charisma is and remains yourself. Your clothes should give you a relaxed and authentic feeling. That means, first of all, it has to fit you and you have to feel comfortable in it. So it’s more of a favorite part where you’ve already had some “good performances” than something new, where you still feel strange and stiff. Of course, it should sit well and you should be able to move well in it.
2. custom suits and clothing
Appropriate clothing means: suitable for the content and the target group of the video. A video is like an encounter. Make it clear to yourself that you are speaking to a counterpart. Who is that and what is your “meeting” about?
As an orientation, you can perhaps imagine a customer appointment. How do you dress for it? Rather casual, in business look or fashionably styled? Make your date with the camera important. By the way, this also includes washing things fresh beforehand and ironing them if necessary. Even if your eye may hardly notice a few wrinkles – the camera will do it for sure. Custom suits NYC for bespoke clothing is the ideal solution since everything will be fit to your personal appearance.
3. simplicity wins
Choose discreet clothes that accentuate your face. Finally, keep the clothes in the background. (Unless your videos are about fashion advice by chance, of course, that’s something else…!) Striking patterns, imprints or accessories can easily distract the viewer from the main event (namely what you have to say). The same applies to any clothing with many details: several layers, colorful buttons, bows or too much material mix have a slightly irritating effect. Beware also of dangling (possibly ringing) jewelry.
4. color
Especially for color, it is true that it often appears differently via the camera than in real. A rule of thumb is: Not too colorful, in case of doubt rather choose something monochrome. Full tones are available to almost everyone and come across well on the computer screen. There can be difficulties with very bright colors, especially with bright red.
Caution: Warm colors like red also tend to radiate onto less dominant colors. For example, a red cloth can give the white blouse a pink sheen. You should definitely avoid all small patterns: small checks, narrow stripes, herringbones or dots. These can create a flickering effect in the shot, which is very annoying.
5. contrast
The camera amplifies contrasts. Therefore, brilliant white and pure black are especially problematic. White (or other very bright colors) easily overtax the exposure spectrum of the camera – it adjusts to the brightness and everything else appears too dark. Black or all very dark colors easily lose their drawing in the shot and can also make the skin tone pale. Therefore, if you are not an absolute master of lighting, avoid pure white or black parts.
6. the mortal sin
The nightmare of every camera is anything that flashes. Flashing reflexes confuse the lighting settings and distract extremely. So take care of everything shiny. This applies not only to jewelry, buttons and metallic shimmering fabrics. Glasses can also reflect. So if you wear glasses when you turn them, they should definitely be anti-reflective. (In addition, people do not see your eyes correctly, which is a pity.)
By the way, the “Nothing Shiny” rule also applies to make-up: glittering eyeshadows or lip gloss quickly appear exaggeratedly “shiny” via the camera.
7. with skin and hair
Also, the skin should not shine of course. Headlights make you sweat – so always have paper towels or a towel ready for dabbing. The classic way to effectively counteract shiny skin is, of course, face powder. (Yes, this also applies to men!) Small “weak points” are more noticeable via the camera. Therefore you should cover skin impurities with make-up and (as a man) shave fresh.
It is best to wash your hair as soon as possible before use because it looks slightly greasier in front of the camera than it is. Apart from that, the main thing about hair is that it stays where it is during the shot. Flying hair is extremely disturbing not only in shots in front of a green screen. Hairspray does a good job here. Also, make sure that the hair does not cover anything of your face.
One last tip
Even if you think you’ve noticed everything: Every untested outfit is best tested with a test shot. Not only check the image on the camera monitor but actually check it in large format on the computer screen! Because this is how the video will be seen later. This saves you from unpleasant surprises – and you can shoot safely and relaxed.