How To Look Good On Zoom: What To Wear

From work meetings to happy hour, our lives increasingly play out on Zoom. In a matter of months, this handy video conferencing app has gone from an optional work tool to a vital source of connection. For some, however, it also prompts mild distress, as video displays rarely make us look our best. Thankfully, many of the issues that distort our virtual appearance are easy to resolve.

Are you ready to level up your video conferencing aesthetics? Keep reading to discover how to look good on Zoom.

What to Wear

How you dress for your Zoom meeting will largely depend on the context of the event. If your video conferencing needs primarily revolve around work, now is not the time to allow sweats to take over your wardrobe. The temptation to go casual can be strong, but it's not always a risk worth taking.

Yes, it's possible to pair a nice shirt with laid-back pants, but there's no guarantee that your bottom half will be hidden for the entirety of your video conference. What's more, your outfit impacts your mindset. You'll find it far easier to impress your professional cohorts if you look the part.

With Zoom happy hour and other casual meetups, laid-back clothing is perfectly acceptable. Still, it may be worth your while to dress up for the sake of making these meetings feel special. No matter the occasion, contrast is important. When in doubt, aim for simple, single-color clothing items that stand out against your background of choice.

Personal Appearance

Details are more obvious on Zoom than you might think. Fellow users will notice and appreciate that you put a little extra effort into your appearance. As you consider what to wear for a video call interview or meeting, don't neglect the power of grooming and accessories.

Basic hygiene should be the minimum, but ideally, your grooming will at least match your typical level of primping. Depending on your usual look, this could mean shaving your face, curling your hair, or applying a bit of makeup before your chat.

Remember, personal grooming should serve to benefit you as much as it does your fellow meeting participants. If a specific hairdo or piece of jewelry makes you feel your best, it's perfect for your digital meetup.

Don't rule out the power of digital touch ups. These mitigate the effects that may otherwise detract from your virtual appearance. Take advantage of Zoom's 'Touch Up My Appearance' setting to smooth out your skin tone. The goal: to look as polished as possible while still retaining a natural image.

Backgrounds

Any effort you put into your personal appearance should be matched by your surroundings. Your outfit will look far less impressive if you're surrounded by clutter. The right background, however, can elevate an otherwise simple wardrobe.

Take some time to clean up before your virtual meeting. Ideally, your surroundings should look as orderly as they would if you invited company. In fact, a greater level of fastidiousness may be warranted for Zoom meetings; elements that might be acceptable for in-person gatherings could prove a surprising source of distraction when video conferencing comes into play.

Visual clutter is best avoided, but there's no need to pursue a bare-bones approach. Tasteful decorations create a pleasant atmosphere. If your meeting space currently lacks appropriate decor, apply peel & stick wall art to grant your surroundings an instant boost. This convenient approach to decorating allows you to move your favorite wall art from room to room as needed, so you'll have a great background at the ready no matter where you choose to stage your video chat.

Room Lighting

No grooming, makeup, or digital touch ups will fully mitigate the impact of poor lighting. Natural options are nearly always preferable, but a lot depends on the source and the location. If possible, utilize a side window, which provides proper illumination without making you look washed out.

Overhead lighting is also acceptable, regardless of whether it comes from a skylight or indoor fixtures. Avoid backlighting, which is both distracting and capable of producing unsightly shadows.

Before you begin your Zoom meeting, check for unexpected sources of lighting. Your laptop screen, for example, can impact your appearance — especially if adjusted to the brightest settings. Consider dimming your screen slightly for the duration of the meeting.

Camera Perspective & Angle

If video conferencing plays a significant role in your day-to-day duties as a remote employee, it may be worth your while to invest in a high-quality webcam. This will provide a much better image than the camera on your phone or laptop.

No matter which webcam you use, you can influence the perceived quality of your display by selecting the right camera angle. Stick with head-on shots. Your camera should be situated at eye-level. Cameras located above your face can be problematic and shots from below are almost universally unflattering. If necessary, use a stack of books to prop up your device.

Sound Quality

Once you've tackled the visual elements of your video conferencing experience, consider the role of sound. Stellar visuals matter little if poor sound quality renders you unintelligible.

To begin, invest in high-quality microphones and headphones. The best models cancel out external noise while producing rich, yet crystal-clear sounds. Favorites include Apple AirPods Pro, Sony WI-1000X, and Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Feel free to amp up your headphones' appearance with skins and wraps, which provide valuable protection while also allowing you to show off your unique sense of style.

When in doubt, keep your account on mute when you're not speaking. Your microphones can pick up seemingly minor sounds, which will prove distracting. Minimize other sources of noise by selecting a quiet space, shutting the door, and requesting that fellow household members stay away for the duration of your meeting.

Prep & Practice

With so many details to think about, it can be easy to neglect the essentials outlined above. A checklist can help, but practice sessions are even more effective. By learning to navigate the app in advance, you can minimize the risk of fumbling with technology during future meetings.

Consider staging a practice session, which will grant you a better idea of how your space appears and how you sound. Next, enlist a loved one for a mock conference. This person can provide detailed feedback on lighting, sound quality, and several other areas of concern. If possible, test video quality a second time after you've made initial fixes.

Look at the Camera

Regardless of lighting and sound quality, body language matters. You might not feel confident going into a video conference, but the right body language can help you make a strong impression. While it's impossible to maintain eye contact, you can at least provide the illusion of it by looking at the camera when you speak. It can be tempting to glance at displays of your fellow meeting attendees, but this could make you appear distracted or downright shifty. Looking at the camera may initially seem awkward, but it will quickly become natural.