Video marketing is a great way to get your business out there, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Often in video marketing, putting yourself or another company spokesperson behind the camera can be the most effective approach.
It could be for a brand video, where you or your CEO talk about your vision for your company directly to the camera in a flashy and inspirational commercial. Or it could be for a simple FAQ video, where you’re answering customer questions from behind a desk for your company’s social networks.
Either way, before preparing for your big on-screen introduction to the world, you’re going to find yourself asking the age-old question: What should I wear?
Believe it or not, what you wear on camera is very important—even if you aren’t a big celebrity or fashion icon. Even for small-scale productions, there are a few rules you should follow when figuring out wardrobe choices for your video shoot.
To help you out, we’re giving you a handful of video fashion do’s and don’ts to keep in mind...
1. Wear something you feel comfortable in.
The most important thing you can do to make sure your video is a success is to feel comfortable. If you're not comfortable, it will show in your voice, in how you move, and even in your facial expressions. You want to look like you're having fun, not like you're worried about what people think of how you look!
When it comes to what you wear for your video, it’s important to feel confident and natural. You want to look like you’re having fun and not like you’re trying too hard.
If you’re being interviewed or reading directly into the camera, you should feel comfortable enough to perform like a pro. If your clothing is uncomfortable, or if you don’t feel confident in what you’re wearing, that will come through in the footage.
You also want to avoid anything that might distract from what is being said on camera. It might be tempting to wear a bright pink dress with polka dots (or whatever), but if it’s not appropriate for the type of video being produced, it could take away from the message instead of adding value.
2. Wear cool clothing
You know what's cool? When you look great and feel comfortable in your clothes.
That's why we're here to help you find the perfect outfit for your next video production!
First things first: don't wear anything that's going to make you sweat. Our sets can get pretty hot, especially when there are more LED lights on set than ever before. So it's important not to wear anything that will make you sweat—that means no polyester or polyester blends! (And yes, we know some of you want your clothes to be shiny or sparkly or sequined—but we still say no.)
The second thing is to make sure your clothes are loose enough so they don't restrict your movement. We want everyone on set to be able to move around freely, so if something is too tight, it might hinder how much work gets done during the day.
3. Wear branded clothing
When you're making a video, you want to put your best foot forward. That's why it's important to wear something that represents what you do—and who you are. Clothing that is branded.
When it comes to video, consistency is key. Your brand should be easily recognizable, even when there's no voiceover or music. This means that the colors and patterns in your clothing should match the colors and patterns in your logo, website, and other branding materials.
And don't forget about the accessories! If you're going for a professional look, don't go crazy with accessories like sunglasses or purses—or even jewelry. You want to be sure that your viewers are focused on YOU and not distracted by something else.
4. Try on clothes before your video shoot
When preparing for your video shoot, it's important to make sure you're dressed for success. There's nothing worse than buying a new outfit and discovering it doesn't fit you the way you imagined.
Sometimes our clothing looks great in the mirror, but its utility is not suited to match our lifestyle—skirts that are too tight to walk in, jackets that unreasonably restrict our arm motion, or shoes that are meant for anything but walking.
You can avoid clothing malfunctions on the day of your shoot by trying on all of your clothing ahead of time.
Take it one step further by doing a complete dress rehearsal. For example, if you'll be sitting down in your video, make sure your clothing is loose enough to allow you to sit comfortably.
Test out any movements you might do on camera ahead of time, just to make sure you can move the way you'll need to during the interview.
5. Bring backup clothes (just to be safe)
It's always good to have options. If you're going to be doing a lot of takes, or if you just want to be prepared for anything that could happen, it's best to bring along a few extra outfits.
This way, you'll never be stuck in the same outfit for too long—and if one choice doesn't work out, you can always switch out for another one!
6. Choose the right colors
We all know that colors can make a big difference in the way something looks. But did you know that what you wear can have an even bigger impact?
When it comes to your video production, there are some colors to avoid wearing… and some to embrace.
For instance, while red might look great on your head, it’s not going to look so hot in front of a green screen. On the other hand, teal or purple will pop more on camera without affecting how well you look.
If you’re planning on wearing patterns instead of solid colors, be careful—big patterns are too distracting, and small ones can create a “buzzing” effect as they appear to buzz around on screen. Your safest bet with patterns is medium-sized ones that are as neutral as possible.
And one last thing: don’t forget: don’t wear green in front of a green screen… unless you want to go for that “floating head” look!
Even with the infinite power of movie magic (editing), the colors you wear on camera still matter.
For instance, wearing intense reds will bleed and could make the surrounding objects—including your face—appear red as well.
On the other hand, cooler colors like teal, purple, or coral will pop more on the screen without affecting how you look.
When it comes to patterns, most are problematic. For example, big patterns tend to be too distracting and take attention away from the subject speaking; small patterns can create a “buzzing” effect as they appear to buzz around; plaids and zig-zags tend to make people look boxed in; and narrow stripes can make it seem like you have no neck!
Your only safe bet with patterns on video are medium-sized patterns—so aim for as neutral of a look as possible.
So, if you’re filming with outside professionals or an internal video team, at a certain point, you’ll need to let yourself take a deep breath and relax. Trust that the experts behind the camera will make sure you don’t look bad. It is their job, after all.
Instead, let yourself enjoy the experience and have fun with it! Let your personality shine through, both in your performance and in your choice of clothes. If you pick an outfit you feel comfortable and confident in, no matter what, you’re going to look great!
You want to look like yourself—not what someone else thinks you should be wearing. So go ahead and express yourself through your wardrobe choices!
Lights, camera, action!
So, you're ready to make a video.
You've got the script, the talent and you're ready for action. But what about your wardrobe? What should you wear during your video production?
Well, here's the thing: You don't have to worry about it. Our team of high-quality video professionals would love to make you the star.
Or, if you’re the camera-shy type, we can cast outside talent for you.
Either way, having a great video you can use across your website, your social platforms, your email marketing and beyond is crucial for success in the digital age. What are you waiting for? Contact us today!
