Whether your company is producing video marketing content or you’re asked to give a video testimonial, you may be unfamiliar with what to wear for a corporate video shoot. To ensure you are as comfortable and confident as possible on the day of your video shoot, we’ve assembled a short clothing guide on what to wear (and what not to wear) so you look great on camera.

When planning the corporate video shoot, your company and video production partner will plan what and who is necessary for each shot. They will typically tell you exactly what you will be doing on camera and might even have a general idea or guidelines about what you should wear. However, providing your exact wardrobe will be up to you as you select items from your closet to wear.

Make Sure Your Outfit Is On-Brand

What you wear for your corporate video shoot will depend on the type of video you are shooting as well as what your brand represents. If your brand is down to earth and casual, you won’t want to wear a suit and tie, but if your brand is upscale or professional, you don’t want to wear jeans and a t-shirt. Match your style of dress to the image you want to show the world as the face of your company.

Many corporate video shoots are professional, with men wearing suits or button-down shirts with ties and jackets and women wearing suits, pantsuits, skirts, blazers, or dresses. If you are going for a casual look, a branded t-shirt or polo shirt with your company logo often looks casual while still being on-brand.

Make sure that whatever outfit you choose fits properly when seated, as no one wants wrinkles or ill-fitting clothes ruining their appearance on camera.

A woman being interviewed by a video production company

Choosing Colors And Patterns For Corporate Video Shoots

Solids are always a better option for video than patterns. Large print patterns can be loud and distracting, while small prints like pinstripes and zig-zags can cause an optical phenomenon known as moiré, where the pattern appears to be moving. If you want to add a pattern, you can do so in small amounts, such as with a tie or scarf. The main pieces of your wardrobe should be a solid color.

When it comes to colors, there are a few that should be avoided. Don’t wear green to a video shoot, as this can cause issues when filming in front of a green screen background. A green screen background is used if the video editor wants to edit in a different background in post-production. When this happens, everything in the frame that is green will disappear, even if it’s your blouse!

It would be best to avoid vibrant whites as they could cause exposure problems and make it appear as though you’re glowing. For this same reason, avoid reflective clothing fabrics or accessories.

Bold colors like reds can also “bleed” into other colors, even your skin tone, making everything appear red in hue. Black is generally alright, but wearing “all black” can cause problems with the camera distinguishing your clothing from the shadows and background. You will appear as though you’re a floating head.

Neutrals, teals, corals, some blues, and purples tend to look good on camera. You can always add small pops of color with accessories. When it comes to accessories, you’ll want to keep it simple here as well, but you can include necklaces, ties, earrings, and scarves that go well with your outfit. Avoid large statement pieces that could be distracting on camera, shiny metals that could reflect light and create unwanted glare and noisy jewelry that the microphone might pick up.

Key Takeaway

What do you wear to a corporate video shoot?

When choosing what to wear for a corporate video shoot, choose clothing with neutral colors and add small pops of color or patterns with accessories. Avoid small prints like pinstripes and zig-zags, vibrant whites, bold colors and “all black” clothing.

Advice On Hair and Makeup For Video Production

Ask your video producer if you are expected to do your own hair and makeup or if a hair and makeup artist will be on hand to do it for you. If someone is doing it for you, all you need to do is show up with clean hair and a fresh face.

If you’re creating your own look, keep hairstyles simple and go for a natural makeup look, avoiding overly bright colors that could be distracting to the eye. Women should avoid applying makeup too heavily due to the bright lights and heat during the video interview. Men should be shaved or have their beards trimmed and look sharp.

Do your hair exactly how you would for a typical day at the office. If you have long hair, keep it out of your face since the camera will focus there when you are speaking. You don’t want to hide your smile or natural facial expressions.

A Few Extra Tips For Dressing For Your Video Shoot

Here are three tips for being comfortable during your corporate video production shoot. People tend to get nervous and over-complicate the process of choosing the perfect outfit. Your wardrobe should not make you feel stressed if you follow these three important tips.

Tip #1 – Keep it cool. Light plays a big part in video production; when paired with a small space, it can quickly become hot. Make sure to wear attire that will help keep you cool. Keep layers and fabrics light so you don’t sweat too much during filming.

Tip #2 – Wear what makes you feel confident. If you hate wearing dresses, then don’t wear one. If a necktie makes you feel claustrophobic, leave it at home. At the end of the day, your comfort will make you the most natural on camera. Wear an outfit that makes you feel confident.

Tip #3 – Bring several clothing options for the corporate shoot. The best way to ensure you get your attire right on the day of your shoot is to bring some backup plans. Bring one or more extra options to keep on hand in case you missed the mark. It’s also important to bring several options if you’re filming multiple videos in one day to avoid appearing as though you filmed all your on-camera segments on the same day.

Show up for your shoot with a professional look after a full night’s rest, and you’ll be prepared to take center stage and look your best. If you have any questions before the shoot, reach out to your contact at the video production company to help guide you through the process.

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