Why Most Executives Dress Wrong for Video Calls
Your £5,000 suit looks terrible on Zoom.
Not because it's poorly made. Because you're dressing for the wrong medium. That subtle charcoal pinstripe that commands respect in the boardroom? On camera, it strobes. That perfectly fitted navy jacket? The shoulders disappear into your chair.
Video calls aren't meetings. They're close-up television. And television has its own rules.
Contrast is everything. Your laptop camera flattens contrast and washes out subtle details. That beautiful tonal navy tie against your navy shirt? On screen, it's a blue blur. You need separation. White or light blue shirts. Ties with clear patterns—not busy prints, but distinct stripes or geometrics that read clearly at low resolution.
Solid colours beat patterns every time. Your favourite Bengal stripe shirt creates visual noise on camera. Stick to solids or very simple patterns. Save the complex weaves and textures for in-person meetings where people can actually see them.
Fit differently from the waist up. Your jacket's perfect drape doesn't matter when you're sitting. What matters is how the shoulders sit, how the lapels lay, and whether the collar gaps when you lean forward. Many executives need their video call jackets cut slightly differently—roomier through the chest and arms for all that gesturing.
Mind your lighting setup. The best-dressed man in Dubai looks awful in harsh overhead light or sitting with his back to a window. Position yourself facing a light source. If you're serious about video presence, invest in a ring light. Your tailor can make you look sharp, but only good lighting can make you look present.
The details that don't translate: Peak lapels, working buttonholes, hand-stitched edges, canvassed construction. Save the craftsmanship flex for face-to-face. On camera, a well-fitted high street suit in the right colour often outperforms bespoke.
Here's what works: solid white or pale blue shirt, knit tie in a bold solid colour, navy or charcoal jacket, good lighting. Simple. Clear. Readable at any resolution.
The pandemic changed how we work. It should have changed how we dress for work too.