Recording day
What to wear on a video podcast
By the team at The Cast Studio · Updated · 4 min read
In short
Wear solid, mid-tone colors that contrast with the set behind you, in fabrics that do not shine or wrinkle, cut so they sit well when you are seated. Skip fine stripes, small checks, large logos and jewelry that can knock against the table or the microphone, and bring a second top in case the first one blends into the set.
On a video podcast, people see you for the whole episode, and the thumbnail and clips carry your outfit for months. The right clothes are simple: they let your face lead and stand out from the set. Here is what works on camera, what to avoid near a microphone, and what to wear on each of the six sets at The Cast Studio.
What should you wear on a video podcast?
Wear solid, mid-tone colors that contrast with the set, in matte fabrics that sit well when you are seated. That one rule solves most problems: the camera handles mid-tones better than pure white or pure black, solids stay calm in every angle, and contrast keeps you from blending into the wall.
- Colors: navy, cobalt, emerald, burgundy, soft gray, camel and other mid-tones. Jewel tones look rich on camera.
- Fabrics: cotton, wool, knits and denim. Avoid satin, sequins and anything that reflects light.
- Fit: clothes that sit well when you lean back and lean in. Jackets should not ride up at the neck; collars should lie flat.
- Layers: a jacket or overshirt over a solid top gives the camera a clean frame and lets you adjust for the room.
What should you avoid wearing on camera?
Avoid anything that distracts from your face or makes noise near the microphone. These are the usual problems:
| Avoid | Why | Wear instead |
|---|---|---|
| Fine stripes, small checks, tight patterns | They can shimmer and crawl on camera | Solids or large, soft patterns |
| Big logos and slogans | They pull attention and can date a clip | Plain fabric or a small brand detail |
| Shiny fabrics | They reflect the studio lights | Matte cotton, wool, knits |
| All white or all black | Lost detail under bright light or in shadow | One of them as a layer |
| Bracelets and long necklaces | They knock against the table and the microphone | Small studs, a watch you will not tap |
| A color that matches the set | You blend into the background | A color that contrasts with it |
Sound is the reason for the jewelry rule. Studio microphones are sensitive, and a bracelet tapping the table on every gesture can ruin an otherwise good take.
How do you dress for the set you booked?
Look at the set before you choose your outfit, and pick a color that contrasts with both the wall and the seat. Each set at The Cast Studio has its own palette:
Studio #1: leather armchairs and the LED wall
Brown leather armchairs sit in front of warm wood slats with LED light bars and a terracotta panel. Browns, tans and rust disappear into this set. Navy, cobalt, deep green, cream and black all stand out well against the warm tones.
Studio #2: white sofa and light walls
A rounded white sofa, wooden tables and a light textured wall make this a bright, airy set. Skip white, cream and beige, which merge with the sofa. Saturated mid-tones, such as emerald, cobalt, burgundy or navy, give the picture its color.
Studio #3: black armchairs, warm light
Two black armchairs sit in front of the warm LED wall. All-black outfits merge with the chairs, so wear a lighter or colored top, or add a light layer over dark clothes.
Studio #4: the round-table set
A wooden table between leather chairs tends to hide your lap and legs on camera, so the upper half carries the outfit. Blues and greens contrast with the warm wood and leather; avoid brown and orange.
Studio #5: white sofa and the LED wall
The white sofa sits in front of the warm slatted wall with LED bars. Avoid white and cream on the sofa. Jewel tones and mid-blues look sharp against both the sofa and the wall. You will be sitting on a sofa, so choose pants or a hemline that stays comfortable when you sit back.
Studio #6: orange wall, green sofa
The retro-pop set combines an orange wall with framed prints and a green corduroy sofa. Orange, rust and olive green blend in here. Navy, denim blue, white, cream and black stand out, and solid colors are wiser than prints next to the gallery wall.
You can see every set with photos on the podcast sets page, and our podcast background ideas explain why each one looks the way it does on camera.
How do you look good on camera without a stylist?
Keep it simple and test it the day before. A few small steps make a visible difference:
- Try the outfit on camera. Record a minute on your phone, sitting down, in daylight. Check the color, the fit and any pattern shimmer.
- Press and lint-roll. Wrinkles and lint show clearly on 4K video.
- Control shine. Matte powder or blotting paper on the forehead and nose works for everyone, not only people who usually wear makeup.
- Mind your glasses. An anti-glare coating reduces reflections from studio lights, and our podcast lighting setup guide explains how lights are placed to keep glare and shine off glasses and skin.
- Bring a backup top in a different color, in case the first one blends into the set or clashes with your guest.
What else should you bring on recording day?
Bring a second top, a lint roller and anything that should appear on screen; if your logo should be shown on the studio's 55-inch display, ask the team how to supply it. The full packing list, from notes and water to guest names, is in our first podcast recording checklist.
Both Studio Recording packages include thumbnail photos and guest photos, so the outfit you choose also appears in the photos you can use for thumbnails and social posts. For the rest of the preparation, see the step-by-step guide to how a session works.
Not sure which set suits your wardrobe? See all six on a free studio tour, or book the one you like online.
Frequently asked questions
What colors look good on a video podcast?
Solid mid-tone and jewel colors such as navy, cobalt, emerald, burgundy and soft gray look good on most people on camera. The most important thing is contrast with the background: pick a color that is clearly different from the wall and the furniture behind you, so you do not blend in.
What should you not wear on a video podcast?
Avoid fine stripes, small checks and tight patterns, which can shimmer on camera; large logos and slogans; shiny fabrics; and bracelets or long necklaces that can knock against the table or the microphone. Also avoid a color that matches the set, such as white on a white sofa.
Can I wear white or black on camera?
Yes, with care. White can look overexposed under studio lights and black can lose all detail, especially against a dark chair. Wearing them as one layer, such as a white shirt under a navy jacket or black pants with a colored top, usually works better than all white or all black.
Should hosts and guests coordinate outfits?
Coordinate the tone, not the clothes. Agree on a level of formality and avoid two people in the same color or pattern. A quick message to guests the day before, with the set you booked and two or three colors to avoid, saves a lot of trouble.
What should I bring to a video podcast recording?
Bring a second top in a different color, a lint roller, matte powder or blotting paper for shine, and glasses with an anti-glare coating if you wear them. If your logo should be on screen, ask the team how to supply it: The Cast Studio has a 55-inch display for logo placement during video recordings.
Written by the team at The Cast Studio, a podcast and video studio at 801 NE 2nd Ave, Ste 120, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Facts and prices are checked on the date shown above. About the studio.