What to Wear for Your Media Appearance
- jessie545
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 10
Four tips to help you brand yourself and feel comfortable on camera.
So you’ve booked a TV media appearance, and now it’s time to answer the age-old question: “What do I wear?” Everyone’s first instinct is to dress like the on-air talent or potentially wear the three-piece suit collecting dust in the back of their closet. But I’ll ask you to pause for a moment before you reach for the bright, solid-color dress or suit and tie.
There are a lot of assumptions and misconceptions when it comes to dressing for media appearances. For example, the anchors have a very specific, unofficial uniform they adhere to, which is not a required uniform for guests. As a PR professional with experience as a journalist who reported for several Top 10 television markets, I guide clients on what to wear not only to help them look their best, but also tell their story. Here are my four tips to keep in mind when planning your look for your media appearance.
1. Know the basic rules for attire
Just like any visual medium, there are a handful of steadfast rules that you must follow. This is not the time to stand out by breaking the rules. We’ll talk more about how to stand out in a minute, but for now, know that if you break these rules, you’re not a trailblazer; you’re just going to look odd on camera.
First, avoid tight patterns (herringbone, checkered, etc.). The camera doesn’t like them, and it doesn’t translate well on air.
Ladies, avoid white unless you wear a jacket over it. Solid colors are nice, but be true to your style and personality. You don’t need to stick to bright, solid colors, which is traditional attire for women working in television. The key is to wear what you love and what is going to make you feel great!
Gentlemen, don’t feel you must wear a suit and tie. While that is absolutely an option, you can also wear a sweater, a dress shirt (with or without a tie or sport coat), or a T-shirt (just not a white T-shirt). There are so many ways for men to be fashionable or even fashion-forward while remaining professional; you’re not locked into outdated rules of what’s acceptable.
2. Be authentic to your brand and yourself
Remember that TV is a visual medium—even if someone is watching without sound, you should still be telling a story. The way you present yourself should be consistent and authentic to you and your brand.
Now, being “on brand” does not necessarily mean dressing in brand colors or wearing your company’s uniform. Think of Steve Jobs’s notorious black turtleneck, Senator John Fetterman’s shorts, or Mel Robbin’s black glasses, which, by the way, have a whole Reddit thread dedicated to people searching for them because they are so popular.
When you think of your brand and yourself, you want to show the world your most authentic, polished version. This will not only make you feel great but also give you that boost of confidence needed before stepping in front of the camera.
3. Hair and makeup go-tos
I would be remiss if we didn’t cover what to expect for hair and makeup. As a general rule of thumb, never expect hair and makeup artists on set. For local and regional media, I can pretty much guarantee you there will be no makeup or hair team available before your segment. When it comes to national TV, there might be hair and makeup available, but it is a big risk to show up completely bare-faced and uncombed. As the guest, you are the last priority for them, and you don’t want to risk them running out of time or getting pulled away for an emergency, which does happen. You should go into the studio ready, and, if time permits, the onsite team can do some amazing touch-ups to make you even more camera-ready.
As with your attire, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind when prepping for your media appearance. When styling your hair, ensure it stays out of your face from any camera angle. Ladies, your makeup should be slightly more dramatic than what you would typically wear, and gentlemen, a little concealer under the eyes and some matte powder to avoid a shiny head is always helpful.
4. A deliberate and clickable look
Whether it’s your outfit, makeup, or brand, I want to say something loud and clear: Creating your look for your media appearance is not about “beauty” or adhering to beauty standards. Instead, think of it like this—your look should be a deliberate way to introduce yourself to the audience.
Miuccia Prada, the co-chief executive and co-creative director of the Italian handbag and fashion label Prada, and the creative director of Miu Miu, once shared, “Fashion is instant language.” For media appearances, you have yet another opportunity to create something memorable with your wardrobe. Celebrities and TV personalities do this all the time, some taking it to the extreme, but proving the point, like Flava Flav’s clock necklace that now sits in the Smithsonian; it’s a look that feels clickable.
The great news is that once you have your authentic, on-brand, and memorable look dialed in, you can repeat it again and again—a key component in creating brand recognition. In the meantime, take a second look at the selections you have been making for your media appearances. Ask yourself, “Have I been dressing on brand, or have I been trying to dress like the on-air talent? Where have I been holding back, and how can I be more true to myself?”
Don’t miss your moment. Take time to be intentional with your choices, and take full advantage of the opportunity to create something truly memorable.
