On camera

Best colours for
video calls & interviews.

On camera, the colours that read best are medium-saturated shades from your own palette — solid colours matched to your undertone that lift your face without tricking the camera. Avoid three things: pure optic white (it blows out and casts shadow on your face), pure black (it flattens into a void and drains warmth), and busy small prints (they shimmer and distract on compressed video). A flattering jewel tone or soft solid near your face does the most work of anything in the frame. Here’s what to wear, and how it shifts by season.

Find my best on-camera colours →

Why the camera changes the rules

Webcams auto-adjust exposure to the brightest thing in view. Wear optic white and the camera darkens everything — including your face — to compensate. Wear pure black and it does the reverse, washing you out. Small checks and thin stripes create a shimmering moiré on compressed video. A solid, medium-depth colour gives the camera a stable reference and keeps the light on your face where you want it.

What to wear

Best: a solid, medium-saturated colour from your palette worn near your face — a jewel tone, a soft teal, a warm coral, a berry, depending on your season. Neutrals: use your palette’s softer white (not optic) and your best mid-depth neutral rather than black. Contrast: aim for gentle contrast between your top and your background so you don’t blend in or glare. Match your undertone — the wrong temperature reads even harsher on camera than in person (see warm vs. cool).

By season

Spring seasons come alive in clear warm colour — coral, turquoise, warm periwinkle. Summer seasons read beautifully in soft blue, cool rose and slate. Autumn seasons look rich in teal, warm brick and forest. Winter seasons are made for camera jewel tones — sapphire, emerald, cool red — and can use a crisp (not optic) white. Find your season to pin the exact shades.

For interviews specifically

You want to look competent and approachable, not washed out. Skip the instinct to wear a stark white shirt and black blazer — on camera that combination is the least flattering. Instead, wear your best mid-depth neutral (navy, charcoal, warm brown) with a flattering colour at the collar. It photographs as polished and keeps your face — the thing they’re actually looking at — well lit.

See your season's on-camera colours

Light SpringWarm SpringClear SpringLight SummerCool SummerSoft SummerSoft AutumnWarm AutumnDeep AutumnDeep WinterCool WinterClear Winter

Look your best on every call

Find your colour season in 90 seconds and get the solid, camera-friendly shades that keep the light on your face.

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Frequently asked

What colours look best on video calls?+

Solid, medium-saturated colours from your own palette, worn near the face — jewel tones and soft solids matched to your undertone. They give the camera a stable reference and keep light on your face.

Should you wear white or black on camera?+

Avoid pure optic white (it blows out and darkens your face) and pure black (it flattens and drains you). Use your palette's softer white and a mid-depth neutral instead.

Why do patterns look bad on webcam?+

Small checks and thin stripes create a shimmering moiré effect on compressed video and pull focus. Solid colours read far cleaner and keep attention on you.

What should I wear for a video interview?+

Your best mid-depth neutral — navy, charcoal or warm brown — with a flattering colour near the collar. It looks polished on camera and keeps your face well lit, unlike a stark white-and-black combination.