How to dress for a TV appearance

Are you preparing for your first on-camera experience? Congratulations! This is an excellent opportunity to share your message and expertise with a new audience on-air and online. Worried about how to dress for that TV appearance? Don’t be—You’ve got a former news anchor in your corner. I have a decade of experience dressing for the camera and am eager to share a few pointers.

Part of my role in morning news involved booking, coordinating and planning guest interviews and TV appearances. Can you guess our visitors’ most frequently asked question?

Yup, you got it… “What should I wear?”

It is an important query, as dressing for TV is not the same as dressing for a job interview or other business functions. The old adage “the camera adds 10 pounds” is a bit of a stretch, but the wrong outfit on television certainly could! Keep in mind, apparel that looks great in person might not work well on camera. Consequently, you need to know the TV rules of thumb.

Whether you are appearing on behalf of a non-profit, a business, as a topical expert, or as a public information officer, it’s completely natural to be nervous about your first TV appearance. However, with a little practice, a brave face and some insider information about attire, you can hit this one out of the park!

Similar Dress (Mine is out of stock) | Clutch (similar) | Heels (similar)

Dressing for a TV appearance: The Don’ts 

• Don’t wear black or white. They appear harsh on camera and will wash you out.
• Avoid busy patterns, especially narrow stripes. They are distracting and will distort/wave on camera.
• Baggy, loose styles are a no-no. They add weight and will look messy, especially during a seated segment.
• Keep over-sized baubles and bangles at home. Simple jewelry is best. In addition, make sure it isn’t loud—I mean this literally. Dangling metal earrings + sensitive TV microphones can make it sound like Santa’s sleigh is on the way.
• Don’t go sleeveless in winter. I know you see anchors wearing sleeveless all the time, but it draws viewer complaints. The best rule of thumb is to dress to match the weather in your area. Furthermore, consider that the camera can make arms look wider.
• No cleavage or short skirts/dresses. Do the sit test! You may be surprised how a seemingly modest hemline can change to racy during a seated interview.
• Don’t try to be too trendy. The goal is to be modern, yet restrained. Your message, not your fashion should be the focus. Exaggerated styles—like ruffles—may be beautiful in person, but can look silly on camera. I once purchased a gorgeous purple blouse with artistic ruffles around the collar. It was stunning in person; however, I looked like I was ready to join the Barnum & Bailey circus on TV.

Dressing for a TV appearance: The Do’s

• Seek out bold, solid colors. Saturated jewel tones look gorgeous on everyone and never go out of style. My personal favorites are sapphire blue, emerald and amethyst shades.
• Go for tailored, not tight. You want your clothing to skim your body gracefully, without distracting creases or lines. In general, my TV wardrobe is more bodycon (aka slim fitting) than my day-to-day attire. However, I certainly don’t want to look like I am squeezing into my clothing. A tailored sheath dress with long or 3/4 length sleeves is especially flattering on television, as is a classic wrap dress. In addition, a beautiful blouse/skirt combo or suit is always safe bet.
• Inject style with simple detailing. Hunt for sophisticated styles with decorative touches around the neckline, waist or sleeves. A slight ruffle cuff, belt or peplum can add interest. This dress (similar to the one pictured above) is one of my current on-air favorites. It’s a simple style, but the cuffs keep it interesting and the color really pops on set.
• Be mindful of your undergarments. I wear often wear Spanx tights or shapewear when I don an unlined dress or one with thinner fabric. It’s a must for combating embarrassing panty or bra lines.
• Wear makeup. I’m all for a natural look in real life, but studio lights and HD cameras are really bright. Makeup helps define your features and avoid a ghost-like look. You’ll want natural looking lip color, blush and eye shadow/liner. Also, don’t forget about your brows.
• Use a lint brush and hair spray. Stray hairs and lint do show up with HD cameras, so impeccable grooming is key! If you need additional guidance on TV-ready hair, I have a tutorial here.

This video montage from my news days will give you an idea of some of the styles that work well for TV appearances. You’ll also notice one that didn’t—the dark green floral dress. It was cute in person, but didn’t translate on camera. After all, it is a learning process!

Final Tips…

• Take note of the setting. Where will your interview occur? In studio? In the field? At your place of work? Sitting/standing? What does the set backdrop look like? What do the anchors/hosts usually wear?

All of these questions should impact your outfit choice. You want to select a color that will stand out from the set, but remain complementary. For example: If the studio has a blue background, avoid blues and opt for pinks, purples or yellow instead.

• Bring a back-up outfit. It’s always good to be prepared! You never know when a spill or accident might happen. In addition, you might show up matching the anchor. It’s nice to have the ability to change.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When communicating with your point person before your segment—be it a producer or an anchor—don’t hesitate to ask for additional information about the interview format, set or proper attire. Just like you, we want the segment to go well and are happy to help.

Good luck, enjoy yourself and please feel free to shoot me any questions you have.

—-Lindsay

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