What to Wear on Camera
Ainsley Reymore breaks down practical wardrobe choices for on-camera recording, from color contrast to avoiding distracting patterns. Simple decisions that shape how viewers perceive you.
Transcript
Hello. Today, I want to talk to you about what to wear on camera. It's probably one of the biggest questions that we get, so here are our best recommendations. Light colors are always going to look better than dark, especially against those dark studio backgrounds. We want to avoid dark on dark. So a dark navy suit with a dark background, it just clashes. Solid colors are definitely your best bet. If you notice sometimes when gentlemen or even ladies, when you come in and you're wearing patterns, those grids or plaid patterns, sometimes they can have a funky effect on camera. So solid colors do perform better from a camera recording perspective. And then let's refrain from wearing a tie, unless your brand is requiring it. Think of the people that you are watching and gravitate towards and feel very comfortable with. Usually they aren't wearing a tie. Reason is, and when you're wearing a tie, you're not that approachable. There is less conversation that potentially could happen. What I like to think about is Shark Tank. Mr. Wonderful. He's always wearing that black tie sharp. But then you have Mark and you have Robert who are less intimidating personally, in my opinion, and they're not wearing that tie. They're very casual and approachable and willing to have that conversation. And so that's why we like to refrain from having ties because it just gives off this hard approach type look. Another thing, you are more than welcome to bring more than one outfit. We can't change the lighting in studio, but you guys can change your outfit. So if something is not working, something is not giving off the right feel, at least you have a backup. I also like to make this recommendation too to make it look like you didn't come in and get a bunch of recordings in one outfit. Maybe you went multiple times. So it's always great to have a spare wardrobe in hand. Same thing applies for selfie or even phone recording. So if you're not coming into studio, same thing, light, solid, outfits, those are your best bet so that you don't clash with the background. We also want to remember as well not to have anything that is super distracting in the background. So if you are recording here on your screen, just be very aware of what's happening. Maybe you have some things, you know, on display right over here or in the background, and that adds to the video, but we don't want it to be too distracting. We also wanna try to refrain from having logos on our outfits. I know we love to have them representing the company, but your eye turns to that and it gets away from you, whom you want the audience to have a connection with. So try to refrain from having those company logos on there, on your outfits. We can always add it in when it comes to the edit as well. When in doubt, what are you going to be wearing to those client calls? How are you presenting yourself to a client or potential future clients? You wanna act, you wanna seem and be approachable. When in doubt, let's wear that outfit. That's the outfit that we want to see and we want to display you in and present you in because that is what you're most comfortable in. And more often than not, that is what you are going to be wearing when you're talking to folks. If you do have any more details or any more questions on this, please, please, please do not hesitate to reach out to your UGC coast who can, help coordinate that a little bit more, especially if there's something a little bit more involved than just being in studio or recording with your camera like I am doing today. Have a wonderful day, and thank you for listening.
Overview
In this 4-minute training, Ainsley Reymore walks through the wardrobe decisions that have the biggest impact on how you look and feel on camera. The video covers clothing color against studio backgrounds, why solid colors outperform patterns, the importance of avoiding prominent logos, and how to frame your outfit choices around professionalism and approachability. It also addresses a practical habit many experienced presenters rely on: bringing a backup outfit to every recording session.
What Is This?
On-camera wardrobe selection is the practice of choosing clothing that complements your recording environment, minimizes visual distraction, and supports the professional impression you want to make with your audience.
What You'll Learn
- Choose between light and dark clothing based on your studio or background setup
- Understand why solid colors perform better than patterns on camera
- Apply the approachability principle — illustrated through the Shark Tank tie analogy — to your outfit choices
- Avoid common mistakes like visible logos and overly busy prints
- Prepare a backup outfit so recording sessions stay on schedule
- Dress with the same intentionality you would bring to a client-facing meeting
Key Insights
- Background contrast matters: the right light or dark clothing choice depends on what is behind you, not personal preference alone
- Solid colors reduce visual noise and keep viewer attention on what you are saying
- Approachability is a strategic choice — even small wardrobe signals affect how an audience receives your message
- Treating your on-camera appearance the same way you would dress for a client call sets a consistent professional standard
Deep Dive
What you wear on camera is not a superficial concern — it directly affects how much attention your audience gives to your message. When clothing competes with your content, viewers lose focus. When it complements the recording environment, it becomes invisible in the best way, letting your expertise take center stage.
One of the most practical decisions you will make is matching your clothing tone to your background. A light background typically calls for darker clothing, and a dark or neutral background works well with lighter tones. This contrast helps the camera define your silhouette cleanly and prevents you from visually blending into the set.
Solid colors are consistently the safer choice for video. Fine patterns — thin stripes, small checks, or busy prints — can create a moiré effect on camera, producing a distracting visual shimmer that has nothing to do with the quality of your ideas. Solids in mid-range tones tend to reproduce well across different screens and compression formats.
Ainsley uses the Shark Tank tie analogy to make a useful point about approachability. A tie that signals authority without intimidation — conservative but not cold — illustrates how small wardrobe choices communicate attitude before you say a word. This principle extends beyond ties to the overall tone of your outfit: professional enough to signal credibility, relaxed enough to invite trust. Logos introduce a similar dynamic. A prominent brand mark on your clothing draws the eye and can raise questions about endorsement or distract from your message entirely. Keeping your clothing logo-free keeps the focus where it belongs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter whether I wear light or dark clothing on camera?
Yes, and the right choice depends on your background rather than personal style alone. Light clothing against a light background reduces contrast and makes you harder to read visually, while a dark outfit can anchor you clearly in the frame. Ainsley's guidance is to assess your recording environment first, then choose your clothing tone accordingly.
Why do patterns cause problems in video recordings?
Fine patterns like thin stripes or small geometric prints can interact with camera sensors and video compression to produce a moiré effect — a flickering or shimmering distortion that is visually distracting for viewers. Solid colors avoid this entirely and tend to render cleanly across different devices and streaming qualities.
Why should I bring a backup outfit to a recording session?
Lighting conditions, background colors, or unexpected wardrobe issues can make your planned outfit less effective once you are on set. Having a second option prevents delays and keeps the session running smoothly. It is a small preparation step that experienced on-camera presenters treat as standard practice.
Related Topics
Once you have your wardrobe dialed in, it is worth exploring how framing and camera positioning further shape your on-screen presence — small adjustments to angle and distance can be just as impactful as clothing choices. Camera confidence training is also a natural next step, covering how body language, eye contact, and delivery work together with your visual presentation to create a credible, engaging performance.
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