best colors to wear on video calls is not a fashion mystery. On a webcam, the wrong shade can wash you out, make your skin look tired, or turn your shirt into a distracting pattern. The right shade makes you look cleaner, calmer, and more confident with zero extra effort.
This is a simple, men-friendly guide to picking camera-safe colors fast. You will get a short list of “always works” shades, what to avoid, and quick fixes for different backgrounds and lighting.
The quick answer: 6 colors that almost always look good
If you want one safe mini-wardrobe for calls, start here. These are the best colors to wear on video calls for most men on most cameras:
- Deep navy (the safest “handsome” color on most webcams)
- Charcoal (clean, mature, and forgiving)
- Olive (warm, masculine, and not loud)
- Burgundy (adds depth without screaming)
- Mid-blue (brighter than navy, still calm)
- Soft off-white (cream/ivory, not bright white)
These shades read well on video because they have enough depth to separate you from the background without creating harsh glare.
best colors to wear on video calls: match your shirt to your background
On video, color is mostly contrast. The easiest rule is: do not blend into your background.
- Light wall (white, beige, light gray): choose deeper colors like navy, charcoal, olive, burgundy.
- Dark wall (bookshelf, dark paint): choose lighter shades like mid-blue, cream, or a light gray.
For a more “professional call” version of this advice (useful for interviews), this guide recommends neutral, solid colors and avoiding busy patterns: what to wear for a Zoom interview.
What to avoid on camera (this matters more than the “best” color)
Most “bad on camera” outfits fail for one of three reasons: glare, distraction, or moire.
- Bright white: often reflects light and makes your face look darker by comparison.
- Neon colors: draw attention to the shirt, not your face.
- Small checks, fine stripes, tight patterns: can create a crawling effect called moire.
If you want a clear technical explanation and a practical “wear/avoid” list, this on-camera attire guide is a solid reference: Ohio University on what to wear on camera. It specifically calls out fine patterns and stripes as common moire triggers.
Pick a “camera uniform” for dating video calls
In dating calls, you want to look approachable, not corporate. A simple uniform works — and it uses the same logic behind the best colors to wear on video calls list above:
- Solid t-shirt or henley in navy, charcoal, olive, or burgundy
- Optional overshirt or lightweight jacket in black, dark gray, or denim
- Matte fabric (avoid shiny athletic material)
The win is consistency: you never waste time deciding, and you always look put together.
Skin tone shortcuts (so you stop guessing)
Use these quick matches as a starting point, then adjust based on your lighting:
- Fair skin: navy, burgundy, forest/olive, mid-blue (avoid pale beige that blends with you).
- Medium/olive skin: charcoal, navy, cream, olive, deep teal.
- Darker skin: mid-blue, cream, light gray, rich burgundy, olive (avoid very dark shirt + dark room).
You are not trying to find a perfect color theory answer. You are trying to create separation between face, shirt, and background.
One upgrade that beats any shirt: better light on your face
Even the best colors to wear on video calls cannot save bad lighting. If your room light is overhead, your eyes look tired and your skin looks flat. Fix the light first, then pick the shirt.
If you want a simple setup that makes your skin look better without buying a studio kit, use this guide: home lighting that makes your skin look better on camera.
Patterns can work, but only if they are big and quiet
You do not need to be allergic to patterns. Just avoid the tiny ones. If you want texture, choose:
- Large, soft knit
- Thicker ribbed fabric
- Big, low-contrast pattern (from far away it looks solid)
If the camera buzzes or looks like it is moving on your shirt, switch to a solid. That is moire, not your internet connection.
When you want to look taller and sharper on video
Use a simple layering trick: dark base + slightly lighter layer, or solid base + solid overshirt. It adds structure to your shoulders without screaming “trying hard.”
If you want examples that work specifically for camera framing, use: winter layering style that looks good on camera.
Fast checklist before you hit Join
- Choose a solid mid-tone or deep-tone color (navy, charcoal, olive, burgundy).
- Make sure you contrast your background (do not blend in).
- Avoid bright white, neon, and tiny patterns.
- Put your key light in front of you, slightly above eye level.
- Do a 5-second test in your camera preview and adjust.
If you only remember one line, remember this: the best colors to wear on video calls are deep, solid shades that keep attention on your face.
Once you build a small rotation of camera-safe shirts, you stop overthinking. You show up looking clean, confident, and consistent — and that is the whole point of best colors to wear on video calls.