BLAZER - VERONICA BEARD, TANK - NATION LTD, JEANS - J BRAND, BOOTS - FRYE

Working in TV is a bit like going to wardrobe bootcamp. Every day, almost 365 days a year, you need to find an outfit that ‘wows.’ Not wow in a “that dress is SO distracting” or “didn’t she wear that LAST WEEK?!” or “WHAT was she thinking??” sort of a way. No, this is wow in a millions of people will like this, and hopefully me in it, sort of sense. It’s all rather stressful. But like a dog with an invisible fence, it does teach where you can play and what you should avoid. (An embroidered bolero jacket that made me look like Heidi – from the 1970s TV show, not Klum – was my sartorial electric shock.) Trauma aside, the tenets of TV dressing are designed to make you look and feel your best. And that’s something we all aspire to. So today I’m sharing five top tips from my TV days that I hope will help you feel ready for your closeup.

1. Be colorful

BLAZER - &OTHER STORIES, TEE - NATION LTD, BELT - aPC, SHOES - GANNI, TROUSERS - BAILEY 44

When I started working in the corporate world, I wondered where all the color had gone. Many men subscribed to an unofficial uniform of blue shirt and khaki trousers, making me gush uncontrollably when encountering a chap in lilac or pink. TV, by contrast, is a riot of color. Why? Because it’s fabulously flattering. Color, especially on your top half, can light up your face. And as it cheers up your complexion, so it tends to cheer others up too – especially when winter has drained all the color from the landscape. It’s easy to get into color right now, with shades of pistachio, emerald, sky, raspberry and saffron all vying for attention. If you’re unsure which hue is you, just hold options up to your face and see if you look luminous or cadaverous! Accessories can add the appropriate pop if you prefer neutral garments.

2. Find a perfect fit

Back when I was at CNN – that’s over a decade ago - my go to ‘you are not going to intimidate me Mr. Trump’ dress was a Black Halo Jackie O sheath. This body-con cut was first seen on Blake Lively in 2006, modeled by Megan Markle in 2018 and is still available in five colors on Shopbop – a site where only the fiercest trends survive. Why would this dress, which is arguably out of step with today’s more relaxed look, have such legs? Because tailoring is incredibly flattering – on all shapes and sizes. When you wear a well-cut dress or jacket to work, you’ll likely feel boss – whether or not you actually are one. Ditto a pair of just-right jeans on the weekend or even your whittling workout wear to the gym. To flaunt a perfect fit, you can either find brands that follow your form flawlessly or get thee to the tailor.

3. Beware of unbecoming trends

blazer - smythe, tee - nation ltd, skirt - claudie pierlot

Astonishingly, embroidered bolero jackets were all the rage when I was told never to wear one again. Trends can be our frenemies – sometimes we get along well; other times we’re wildly unsuited. When you’ve got a long torso and a backside you could stand a teacup on like me…well…dramatically cropped is enemy territory. So, we need to be honest. Or we need to find a friend who will be honest for us. When you’re considering your cuts, ask yourself (or your friend): “does this love me as much as I love it?” “Is it highlighting the features I’m most proud of and downplaying the ones I’m not?” “Does it sit nicely and flow forgivingly over any wobbly bits?” In short: “do I feel like a million bucks?”

4. Find your comfort zone

blazer - ted baker, tee - belstaff, jeans - rag & bone, belt - tory burch, boots - cole haan

One of the cardinal rules of being on TV – whether you’re the interviewer or the interviewee – is to have good body language. Remember what you learned in school? It’s just like that. Sit up straight, look people in the eye and don’t fidget! You can help yourself avoid the latter by dressing comfortably. We’ve all seen the panelist up on stage who’s wearing a short dress on a bar stool. It’s embarrassing for her and awkward for the audience. Similarly, clothes that ride up, gape, or strain uncomfortably are going to distract you from your task – whether that’s making a presentation, reading at your kids’ school or even sitting and having coffee with a friend. Once you’re comfortable, you’ve got one less thing to worry about.

5. Wear a conversation starter

Interviewing someone on the red carpet isn’t so different from breaking the ice with a stranger. You’ve got to find some way to connect quickly so you can move on from small talk to mutually enjoyable conversation. One way to create an opening is to wear something interesting. A filmmaker-journalist-artist friend of mine named Karen Firus, would always wear a striking piece of jewelry on the red carpet to give her interviewees something to comment on. You can do the same in everyday life. A pair of bright shoes, belt or bag, a noteworthy necklace, a sensational scarf can all be something to bond over. That’s the same whether your conversation partner is Dan in distribution or Don Lemon (who, I must say, is absolutely delightful 😊).