18 Important Tips on How to Dress for a TV Appearance

Last Monday, we introduced you to key lingo you need to know before guesting on a television talk show. Today, we continue with our series from Dr. Karen Hayter, one of my favorite TV interviewers (used with permission).

Clothing Tips

1. The bright lights have a tendency to wash out colors sometimes, so choose what you wear carefully. If you are a blonde, and have on a beige outfit, you can fade into the background.
2. You might want to apply your make-up a little heavier, if there is no one to do make-up. Always take a little make-up with you (males and females) to cover blemishes, powder any shiny spots, etc.
3. Never wear all black or all white, or anything that “moves” like small plaids, houndstooth, etc. The camera does not see black or white as a color, so don’t wear them as a dominant or primary color-it confuses the camera.
4. People always say not to wear red on camera, but the camera loves red, and you might want to add a little red somewhere, a scarf or tie with red in it, a shirt or shell with some red under a jacket, or even some demure red jewelry, or a red pin.
5. Men, never wear a solid white shirt; a blue or pastel shirt is preferable. If you wear a tie, make it a power tie, one with some red in it.
6. Always wear colors that look good on you.
7. Never wear clothes that are too tight. When you get under pressure or nervous, they will appear and feel even tighter.
8. Don’t wear clothes that are too short. You never know what kind of chair, bench, stool, or couch you will be sitting on.
9. Check your teeth. Sometimes lipstick will fade off onto your teeth, or you may have something between your teeth.
10. Closed heels or pumps are better than sandals.
11. Men, keep your feet on the floor.
12. Women, cross your ankles instead of crossing your legs at the knees.
13. Never let the soles of your shoes show on camera.
14. Sit up straight. Don’t slouch, but try to look comfortable. Try not to lean back into the seat. The camera is two-dimensional, not three-if you lean back in a chair, it can give the impression that you are almost lying down and that you are bored or uninterested. Push your bottom up against the chair and sit up straight, and then lean forward just a little.
15. Try to breathe deeply, and relax. Try not to look stiff. Sometimes using appropriate hand and facial gestures will keep you from looking stiff. Be vibrant, be natural, be yourself.
16. If you can wear something that fits your book, message, whatever, fine. Example: Richard Simmons always shows up in his exercise attire.
17. Don’t wear flashy pins, noisy bracelets, large necklaces, “clangy” earrings, lots of gold/silver chains, etc. They distract the camera and the audience. The audience ends up watching your jewelry instead of you. Less jewelry is always better than more.
18. “Class” is preferable to “fashion.”

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Comments

One Response to “18 Important Tips on How to Dress for a TV Appearance”

• Claudia Ward says:

  March 9, 2010 at 7:14 pm

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