Going on TV ... What Should I Wear for on Camera Interviews?

YIPPEE! You got the call, you're booked for the show, but what should you wear? YIKES! As excited as you are, a bit of a panic sets in when you start to think about what you should wear, so here is some key information to help you find your perfect TV outfit.

I have been there with you in closet hell trying to channel my inner stylist to pull clothing as a daily TV morning show co-host, for commercials, videos, television interviews ....  and every show format/set are vastly different so it's best to start by finding out as much before hand about the circumstances and go online to see the program. Here's what you should be watching for.

• What are the background colors? If the colors are soft your options are endless, but if they are bright you will want to wear something bold so you don't get lost.

• Will you be sitting or standing? If standing keep in mind that the microphone pack will need to attach somewhere, and if you wear a dress it must be roomy enough to allow the box to hook on the back of your bra underneath your clothing. On many television sets there are limited number of mic sets so you often wait to use a previous guests after they are finished. The timing on this can be a quick turnaround so if you're standing you may want to consider something other than a dress, but when you sit they will often be fine with the pack set behind you not attached to you directly. Also, if you're sitting try out your outfit sitting at home to make sure the skirt's not too short and nothing is pulling too tightly.

• What does the host usually wear? Does she have a certain style? You will not want to show up looking like her my twin doll, so try to keep that in mind when making your choices. Once, when I was doing a morning show, my co-host and I showed up in the VERY exactly color combos, down to the very hue of pink mauvey silk shirt {see photo above}. Luckily I had a jacket in my car that I ran out to get or the entire hour would have been a little creepy for anyone watching. 

It's not a bad idea to bring a second option with you to the set. I would hate to hear that a wardrobe malfunction cancelled your big debut like Sofia Vergara's broken zipper almost did at the Emmy's. And how about Kim Kardashian's split that happened right before her Jimmy Kimmel interview? Your show probably won't have a seamstress to "sew you in your dress" like Kim K's did so better to have another change of clothes just in case!

• What about the "green screen"? Sometimes you will film in front of a green backdrop. The reason it's green is because it's a pigment we don't usually have in our skin, so they are able to remove the color and replace it with a virtual studio behind you, leaving you looking perfectly real. The thing to know in this case is that if you do wear anything green, you will become invisible! So avoid all greens - olive, khaki, lime green, even turquoise green.

Conveying your message is obviously most important here, but keep in mind that you will not be effective in doing that if what you're wearing is distracting or confusing. By confusing I mean, if you are an artist or in a creative industry talking about design and you show up in a stiff buttoned up shirt, people will have a hard time understanding. And it would be hard to be taken seriously if you were an analyst dressed in a bohemian free love sort of ensemble. Basically, be true to your message and help people make the connection between you and what you're saying. 

When you are choosing clothing these are some of "the RULES" to know, it's easier in this case to talk about what not to wear :

• Avoid solid whites - The camera picks up the light from white and it can wash you out. And if you want to make friends with the Director in the camera room I guarantee wearing white will not be the way to do it because they have to make many adjustments to try to make this look better.

• Avoid solid blacks - Yes this color is great for high fashion and in real life is quite slimming but on set, if your arms get too close to your body it makes you look like one big black blob and if the background is also dark you could end up looking like a talking head. Even dark blue is not good for most video work.

• Avoid Small Patterns - Checks, stripes, plaids. What happens, even in HD, is that the camera cannot pick up the focus on these and they almost start to "dance" on screen as you begin to talk or breathe!

• Avoid Large Patterns - These are too distracting and compete for attention when you begin to speak.

• Jewelry - Dangling earrings will reflect light with any movement even breathing - attracting attention away from what you're saying, so it's better to wear earrings that aren't swinging unless of course you are trying to sell earrings. Wearing more than one bracelet could be a bad move because the mic that is attached to you will pick up the clacking of the back and forth sound when you move your hands. Necklaces that are too heavy can turn or become un-centered also causing a distraction. My advice when it comes to jewelry is to keep it simple!

• Trendy clothing - Contemporary outfits that are industry appropriate are always a good idea because the audience will identify you as modern and forward thinking, but too trendy clothing will always date your interview. Media interviews and videos are often saved online for eternity and a great way to promote yourself/cause. You do not want these things to become dated, so dress up and keep it trendy in a more classic looking way avoiding fads. You want to wear modern clothes that fit you perfectly. 

Clothing can be a powerful medium in appearing more successful, but the words you use and the knowledge you display are all up to you! 
Break a Leg!

TO learn more secrets about looking good in front of Every camera AND in real life - check out my new book Face This available on Amazon, Kindle, Nook and iTunes.