WFH clothes - what looks good on video calls?

[Redcrayons]

I’m starting a new job on Wednesday, initially full time WFH. The company use video in the main and I’ll be expected to video call with customers as much as possible.

So I’ve gone through my wardrobe and feel that my regular work clothes are too smart and my casual clothes are too casual.
What kind of things work best on video? Styles, light or dark colours, patterns, plains? Is it worth putting make up or can you not really tell?
As I haven’t worked since 23rd March, I think I need to ‘get dressed’ for work to shift my mindset From slobbing around. I don’t want to look too try hard though.

Any suggestions?

I think plain clothes look better than patterned on a video call, nothing too busy, and definitely worth putting a bit of make up on. It does make a huge difference I think.
Look neat and tidy, and make sure there's nothing too personal or distracting in your background but beyond that don't worry. Let your work speak for itself and try not to overthink things.Good luck with the new job!

Plain navy apparently. I researched it for an interview outfit!
And try to have light in front of you.

I agree about the background. I realise that not everyone is fortunate enough to have office space, but sitting at the kitchen table with a pile of dirty dishes behind you is a no no.

I talk with my workmates on Teams a lot and don't really notice what they are wearing. It depends on how close you are to the camera as to whether they just get a head shot or an upper body shot.

I am pale and my wall is white, I have seen that wearing a white top is a bad idea. For me deeper colors are better.

If you have time, some makeup would be good and put your laptop on a raised surface so that the camera is higher than eye level (or else double chin)

Thanks for the tips. I’m very nervous about working again after having so long off. I was made redundant which knocked my confidence a bit (I know times are tough everywhere). I know clothes aren’t really that important, and I’ll probably be in my PJs with my hair scrapped back by Christmas, but I need to feel like I’m in control.

My ‘office’ is my dining room and I’ve had a big old tidy so the background looks presentable. I’ve angled it so that if one of the DCs comes in unexpectedly they won’t be on camera.

Agree a plain colour top, but bright is good and stands out. Just not busy pattern
Yes to make up.
And yes, make sure camera angle is good. I recently "hosted" a conference for 100 and all delegates got a great view of my boobs when i half closed the laptop before switching off the cameta!

I think go smart until you get a proper feel of the job/settle in and can see what your colleagues wear

Personally I just wear a blazer or blouse for the top half and cycling shorts on bottom

@AnaViaSalamanca I wore white for my interview and the sun was really bright glaring through the window so you could hardly see me.

Blue is the best colour to wear on camera. No prints.

Good luck with the job.

Go for more makeup than normal. Highlight eyes and lips more as people automatically focus on these when you are talking.
Definitely raise the camera at eye line or above to get a flattering angle

this is talking about pod casts and streaming but the concepts are the same for zoom calls

Why blue?

plus zoom has some good articles on its own website

zoom.us/docs/en-us/remote-working.html

blog.zoom.us/working-from-home-tips-to-meet-like-a-pro/

and finally

www.studyinstyletraining.com/blog/how-to-dress-for-a-zoom-meeting/

yes.
plain, dark block colour, in contrast with the background you use.
maybe an accent coloured scarf.
nothing bright, nothing sparkly.
no metallic eye make up.

more important than clothes though is lighting.
you need bright, even lighting from the front to look good via video.

I always think that anything with a collar looks smart when I’m on a zoom or Skype call.

Thin stripes are a disaster...you end up looking headache-inducing!

Otherwise, assuming people look tidy I don’t look twice at what they’re wearing.

Be careful with cleavage.... depending on camera angle, it can be a lot more revealing than face to face. I’ve seen a lot of bras and bra straps on display

And if using Zoom, remember to switch on the 'enhance my appearance' function in video settings!

Thanks everyone. I’ll take a look at the links tomorrow and play about with laptop to get a good angle. I’m quite booby so I’m careful about low cut tops but good point about being quite close to the camera.
Blue/dark colours - yes
Collars - yes
Make up - yes
Stripes - no
Will change the lightbulb, as it’s more for ambience rather than working.

I've been on zoom or teams most working days for most of the day since Feb. My tips are:
More makeup that usual
Raise the camera so it's eye level or a bit higher
Bright light shining into your face smooths your face out. So ideally laptop in front of a window
If you wear hair tied back, pull it off centre so it shows eg. ponytail coming forward over one shoulder so you don't look scalped
No one can tell what fabric you are wearing or whether it's ironed

Where is the enhance my appearance button!?

Sorry function not button

@PrincessForADay

Where is the enhance my appearance button!?

It’s in video settings - click the little drop down arrow alongside the video on/off tab.

That’s on PC - not sure if you can access it on phone settings...