What to wear on video calls and for a headshot

What the camera actually picks up

A laptop webcam frames you from the top of the head to roughly the middle of the chest. That leaves the neckline, any collar or yoke detail, the tops of the sleeves and whatever sits around your face, such as a dupatta, scarf or hijab.

Webcams also compress the picture heavily. Fine detail turns into a blur, small repeating patterns flicker, and bright or shiny areas confuse the automatic exposure, which then darkens your face to compensate. A good outfit for a call is one that survives that treatment.

Necklines and collars that frame the face

Because the neckline sits in the middle of the frame, it does most of the work. A few shapes behave well on screen:

• A [band collar](/styles/necklines/band-collar): neat and businesslike, and it gives the frame a clean line under the chin.
• A [round neck](/styles/necklines/round-neck): simple and safe, and a little piping or a contrast facing stops it looking flat.
• A [V-neck](/styles/necklines/v-neck): draws the eye up towards the face, which is why photographers often like it for headshots.
• Delicate yoke embroidery: thread work around the neckline shows up well, as long as it is tone on tone or low contrast rather than metallic.
• Wide shapes with care: a boat neck is elegant in person, but in a tight headshot crop it can look as if you are wearing nothing, so add a dupatta or choose a higher line.

Colours and prints that behave on a webcam

Camera advice is about the lens, not about whether a colour flatters you, so treat these as starting points and test with your own camera before an important call.

• Middle shades: teal, navy, dusty pink, rust, olive and similar shades hold their colour and detail on most webcams.
• Bright white: it can glare and push the exposure down, leaving your face dim. Off-white, ivory or a pale tint works better.
• Solid black: it can lose all its shape and read as a dark block. A charcoal or deep navy keeps the outline.
• Fine stripes, checks and tiny prints: these cause the shimmering effect called moiré. Larger, soft prints are fine.
• Sheen and sparkle: satin, metallic thread and sequins catch a ring light or window. Matte cottons such as cambric and lawn are calmer.
• Your background: avoid a colour close to the wall behind you, or you will seem to fade into it.

Dupattas, scarves and hijabs on screen

A dupatta worn over both shoulders makes a soft frame and a neat V shape in the centre of the picture. Pin it at one shoulder so it does not slide each time you reach for the keyboard. A chiffon dupatta with a lot of crinkle or shimmer can look busy, while a plain cotton or lightweight silk-look scarf reads cleanly.

If you wear a hijab, a solid colour that contrasts gently with your top helps the camera separate the two. For a headshot, take two options, one plain and one with a soft pattern, and let the photographer choose.

Ordering a top for calls and photos

If you want a kurta or top made for work calls or a professional photo, start a quote and tell us it is mostly seen on camera. Choose the neckline, the sleeve length, a matte fabric and a delicate embroidery level at the neckline if you want detail. Our custom stitching service explains the choices, and our article on office-wear kurtas covers cuts for the rest of the working day.

Making takes 5 to 7 working days from approval and full payment, and shipping time is added on top, so leave room before a booked photo session.