Sweat for the home office and video meetings

Short answer: A plain sweatshirt without a print looks calm on screen. Avoid bold patterns and very light colours, which cameras struggle with. That gives you a top that is comfortable to work in and looks tidy on video.

Plain looks calmest

Bold patterns can flicker in a video image, because the camera struggles with fine detail in motion. Stripes and checks are especially prone to it, and they draw attention away from what you are saying. A plain top gives a calm picture with your face in focus. See the styles in bamboo sweatshirt women.

Avoid white and very light shades

Very light colours can make your face look darker, because the camera adjusts to the brightest part of the picture. You end up looking tired or shadowed, even in good light. Mid to dark, muted colours give the camera something calm to work with. See the muted colours in bamboo sweatshirt men.

Hood or no hood

A hood bunches at the neck and looks more casual on screen. It can also press against a headset or make your shoulders look uneven in the frame. For meetings, the style without a hood is the safe choice. See the styles in bamboo sweat for men and women and pick a crew neck for calls.

The neckline in the frame

On video, people mostly see you from the chest up, so the neckline takes up a lot of the picture. A crew neck with a neat ribbed edge looks tidy and lies calmly. A slack or wavy edge shows clearly on screen. Check that it lies flat before the meeting starts.

Comfort through a long day

When working from home, you often sit in the same position for a long time. A soft sweatshirt that does not pull across the shoulders or at the wrists makes sitting easier. If it is cold in the morning, wear a T-shirt underneath and take the sweatshirt off once the room warms up.

Light matters too

The colour of your top works together with the light in the room. If you sit with a window behind you, you will look dark on screen whatever you wear. Sit with the light in front of you or to the side. A mid to dark top and good light on your face give the calmest picture in most rooms.

Keeping the top neat

A top worn every day at the home office needs to stay neat. Air it between wears and wash it inside out at a low temperature, so the surface is spared. Avoid the tumble dryer, which can make the edges slack. Put it on a hanger at the end of the day, so it is ready for the next meeting.

Work and free time

Many people wear the same sweatshirt for work and leisure. That is practical, but it can help to keep one top mainly for meetings. Then it is always clean and tidy when the camera goes on. The other can be worn for the lunchtime walk and the rest of the day at home.

Frequently asked questions

Which colour works best on camera

Mid to dark, muted colours such as navy, grey and olive. They give a calm picture and let the camera keep your face in focus without adjusting too much.

Can you wear a hoodie to meetings

For internal calls, often yes. For external meetings, a sweatshirt without a hood looks more neutral, and it also sits more neatly at the neck on camera.

How often should it be washed

Every third to fifth wear if there is a T-shirt underneath. Air it between wears, and it will stay fresh and look good on screen for longer.