Nowadays, fashion is more important than ever when it comes to meetings since appearance is crucial to how you’re received. You want to be taken seriously during video calls; however, it’s important that you don’t look too stuffy in a meeting, because against the backdrop of your living room being too dressed up can create some cognitive dissonance.
You obviously know that you don’t want to show up to meetings in pajamas during the pandemic, but at the same time showing up to every meeting in a pantsuit or power blazer could be a little much if not carefully balanced. While there’s a lot of advice out there for how to conduct yourself in Zoom meetings and video conferences, it’s harder to find information on what to wear to straddle the line of professional and too-much. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that help you dress for a business meeting without looking stuffy.
Prioritize your tops.
When you’re on a video conference, most of what’s seen is the top half of your body. This doesn’t mean that you can’t wear pants, but it does mean that it’s more important to pay attention to your style up top than your style down below. Having a closet full of great tops, shirts, and blouses can make all the difference when it comes to picking out what you’ll wear for the day.
Part of filling your closet with useful, stylish staples is knowing where to shop. That’s why it’s a good idea to search online for stores specializing in items like womens dressy jackets that will help you look great no matter what day it is. A benefit of dressing up for Zoom meetings is that you have the ability to ignore the weather to a certain extent, so don’t be afraid to layer a nicer denim jacket or patterned duster with sleeves to really stand out. Especially when combined with some simple, timeless basics like a black or white top, you’re bound to stand out during meetings without looking too buttoned up.
Think about color coordination.
While colors are important to coordinate within your outfit and accessories, it’s just as important to think about what goes well with your background. If you’re frequently taking video conferences in front of a bookcase or in your home office, spend some time taking a look at your surroundings before you put on an outfit for the day.
Even if you’re in front of an empty wall, certain outfits will be more ostentatious than others against a solid-colored backdrop—especially a wall that’s painted white or beige. You might normally not stand out in a meeting room wearing brighter colors; however, if you’ve got a more minimal aesthetic behind you during online meetings, it might make more sense to tone your outfits down.
Don’t be afraid to accessorize!
Just because you’re on an online call doesn’t mean that you can’t accessorize. Accessories like earrings, rings, and necklaces all have their place in any woman’s business-casual wardrobe, and just because there’s a pandemic going on doesn’t mean you can’t bring some bling to the digital space! Especially if you find yourself arriving at virtual meetings early and needing something to talk about with your coworkers besides how much you’re struggling to homeschool your child, the right accessory can be a welcome topic of discussion.
Consider looking into unique gemstone rings and other boutique jewelry collections to see what might spark your fancy. From emeralds and sapphires to finishes in white gold or sterling silver, you’re sure to find something beautiful when you start looking beyond the big-name jewelry stores in your area.
Shopping handcrafted jewelry is a great way to support local merchants during the pandemic, too, meaning that in addition to getting a stunning accessory for your meetings, you’ll also be helping out one of your fellow human beings in this trying time.
