Dressing for the Camera: How Colours, Patterns, and Fabrics Affect Your On-Screen Look

When it comes to being on camera, what you wear plays a huge role in how you're perceived. Whether you're a TV newscaster or appearing on video for any kind of broadcast, the right colours, patterns, and fabrics can enhance your on-screen presence—or detract from it. Understanding how these elements interact with lighting and camera lenses is key to looking your best in front of the audience.

In this article, Christi Schreiber , President and CEO of Colour Basis will explore how to dress for the camera by breaking down the impact of colours, patterns, and fabrics on your on-screen look. These tips will help you feel confident and professional every time the camera is rolling.

1. Choosing the Right Colours for On-Camera Appearance:

Colour is one of the most important aspects of dressing for TV or video. The right colours can make your skin glow, your eyes pop, and your overall appearance more polished. But if you choose poorly, certain colours can wash you out, blend with the background, or create visual discomfort for the audience. The power of colour is what inspired the name Colour Basis as our company name over 25 years ago. For Christi Schreiber , "colour is the basis for all things," because colour is a foundational element that influences emotions, perceptions, and even decisions. Colour impacts nearly every facet of life—from branding and communication to personal style and self-expression. Colour Basis recognizes the deep, often subconscious role colour plays in creating a lasting impression, particularly in high-visibility fields like television.

Best Colours for On-Camera:

Bold, solid colours! Jewel tones like royal blue, emerald green, burgundy, and deep purples are excellent choices for most skin tones. These colours offer enough contrast to stand out without overwhelming the screen.

Pastels and soft shades like baby blue, light pink, and mint green can work well for softer, daytime segments, depending on skin tones. However, make sure they don’t blend with the background or wash you out on camera.

Neutral tones such as gray, navy, and beige are safe choices for a more conservative, polished look. Notice the neutral tones listed here are not earth tones.

Colours to Avoid for On-Camera:

White can appear overly bright or washed out under studio lights. It may also reflect too much light, creating a glaring effect, which is why a solid white outfit should not be worn. Although, a crisp white shirt worn under a suit jacket is the ultimate for a credible brand for men, paired with a brightly coloured tie.

Neon or fluorescent colours appear overly intense and can "bleed" on camera, distorting the image and altering skin tones. You should avoid at all costs.

Black. While black is slimming in person, it can sometimes appear flat on camera, absorbing too much light and losing definition. For men, if you don't own a black suit, you don't need one for your on-screen wardrobe. Ladies, you may wear black in small doses, a few times a month being careful to not over do it. Navy is a terrific black alternative.

2. The Impact of Patterns on Camera

While patterns can add personality and visual interest to your wardrobe, they can be tricky on camera. Certain patterns can create a distracting visual effect that pulls focus away from what you’re saying. In general, for most on-camera appearances, Colour Basis recommends that you wear solids as previously discussed and if you choose to venture out, continue reading for our solid advice on navigating patterns.

Patterns to Avoid:

Stripes and checks including small or thin stripes and tight check patterns can cause a visual distortion known as the moiré effect, where the pattern seems to vibrate or flicker on screen. Christi Schreiber refers to this as visual noise and is very distracting to the viewer.

Busy patterns or overly complicated prints with many colours or shapes, or high contrast colours should be avoided. They can be visually overwhelming for the audience and may clash with the background.

Safe Pattern Choices:

Subtle prints with large, understated patterns such as wide stripes or soft florals can be used sparingly if you want to introduce a bit of style. Making sure that the colours in the prints are not in high contrast with each other, such as a black and white printed garment. A mid-tone blue with a navy blue pattern is an example of a low contrast in colours that will be more flattering on camera.

Solid colours are always the best when chosen in colours that work with your skin tones and the set or background you are in front of. It may be tempting to experiment with prints and patterns on camera at some point. When in doubt, stick to solid colors for a clean, professional look that keeps the focus on you and the message.

3. Selecting the Right Fabrics for On-Camera Comfort and Appearance

The type of fabric you wear on camera is just as important as the colour and pattern. Some fabrics react poorly to bright studio lights, while others can wrinkle easily or reflect light in ways that are distracting.

Best Fabrics for Camera:

Matte fabrics are ideal because they don’t reflect light, which helps to avoid glare or shiny patches that can distract viewers. Materials like wool, cotton, and polyester blends are excellent choices.

Structured Fabrics: Fabrics that hold their shape, like tweed or gabardine, help to create a polished, professional appearance. They drape nicely and avoid looking wrinkled or sloppy on camera.

Fabrics to Avoid:

Glossy fabrics, such as silk or satin, can reflect light unevenly, causing shine or glare that is distracting on camera. High definition exaggerates shine on camera as well, so a fabric with a little shine in person will appear to have much more shine to the viewer.

Wrinkle-Prone Fabrics: Avoid linen or fabrics that crease easily. Even the slightest wrinkle can be magnified on screen, making you look unprepared or unkempt.

4. Lighting Considerations: How Clothes Interact with Studio Lights

Lighting can dramatically change the way clothing appears on camera. Studio lights are often bright and can amplify colours, highlight textures, and enhance or diminish the details of an outfit. It’s important to test how your outfit looks under these conditions before going live.

Tips for Working with Studio Lighting:

If possible, always do a lighting test before going on air with a new outfit. Punch your shot up in the monitors and take a quick look. This will help you see how your outfit looks under professional lighting and if any adjustments need to be made and if the outfit is one you should keep for your on camera wardrobe.

As mentioned earlier, avoid shiny fabrics that reflect too much light. Similarly, be cautious with large, reflective jewelry or accessories that could bounce light around and cause distraction, visually or with actual noise.

Do consider the background! If you know the backdrop of the set, make sure your clothing contrasts well against it. You want to avoid blending in, especially if the background is a similar color to your outfit.

5. Comfort Equals Confidence

Finally, confidence is key to a great on-camera performance, and confidence often comes from feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing. Make sure your clothing allows for ease of movement, especially if you’re going to be sitting, standing, or walking during the broadcast. If you feel good in your outfit, that confidence will come through to your audience.

Fit is crucial. Ensure your clothes fit properly. Too tight or too loose clothing can distract you and make it harder to focus on your delivery.

You want breathable garments. If you’re working under hot studio lights, breathable fabrics like cotton blends will help keep you comfortable throughout the shoot.

Dressing for On-Camera Success: Choosing the right wardrobe for TV or video broadcasts can have a big impact on your confidence and how you’re perceived by your audience. By selecting flattering colours, avoiding distracting patterns, and choosing the right fabrics, you can ensure you look polished and professional every time you’re on screen.

Remember, dressing for the camera isn’t just about fashion—it’s about ensuring that your audience stays focused on your message, not your outfit. With these tips, you’ll be ready to present your best self on camera, whether you're delivering the nightly news or appearing in a video for your business.

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