Perfect Framing

Words: Daniël Geldenhuys | Images: Getty

As this story goes live, we’re living in a time where your digital presence has further-reaching influence than your physical one. The best part about dressing for a video meeting is that you don’t have to worry about anything below the belt. (If there was ever a time to indulge in sweatpants, leggings and Crocs – with or without socks – it’s now.) Whether it’s a one-on-one FaceTime with a loved one or a Slack meeting with your colleagues, let these tips help you frame your face, if you're keeping your camera on.  

HOOK UP A SCULPTURE

Move all the dainty jewellery to the back of your drawer. The fastest way to look like you didn't just jump out of bed for your video chat is with a sculptural pair of earrings. The larger they are and the more they dangle, the better. There are no rules. In Paris, the Valentino Fall 2020 girls donned a mixture of metal and precious stones. At Marine Serre, an ear cuff dropped all the way down to the collar bone. Milan’s Arthur Arbesser did hoops to the sum of three, linking in colourful marble-looking discs. In Cape Town, Michelle Ludek’s sister Belinda planted pastel leaves in models’ ears, while Urban Zulu’s Papy Kaluw added a little zest to his monochrome colour palette with feathery hoops.

NECK DAY

A high neckline has an undeniably chic appeal as temperatures start dipping and it translates perfectly to the dimensions of any video call. A classic grey polo neck is as slick as it is snug, receipts courtesy of Michael Kors. Take a cue from Sacai designer Chitose Abe and pop your blazer collar so that it’s flush with your neck and chest. Even better is a half-up-half-down situation, entwined with your favourite necklace. This time around, borrowing from the boys materialises as the unexpectedly crisp shirt-and-tie combo (see Dior, among others). Fair warning: you’ll need to dig into those How to Tie a Tie tutorials. 

CROWN YOURSELF

For reasons involving actual shade, steer clear of hats and crown yourself with a modern Alice band instead. The thick black bands at Shana, dotted in diamanté, had a demure glamour perfect for an online cocktail party. Prada’s architectural metallics have a compelling Manus x Machina effect. Rokh did a chain headband that felt tough, cool, and could even be interpreted as a timely symbol of unity, while the simple black bows at Giambattista Valli seem to say "yes, you can absolutely DIY this look".

BROOCH THE SUBJECT

Speaking of at-home craft projects, have a look at Stella McCartney’s equestrian brooch. A cereal box and a pair of scissors should put you on the right path to creating something video-ready in no time. There were plenty of brooch ideas walking down the Fall runways: Gucci’s comical offering included a powder pink poodle and Donald Duck. At Chloé, Natacha Ramsay-Levi came up with a video chat-viable alternative to the political slogan tee: the brooches featured retro political graphic designs with slogans including “clap for her” and “handle with grace”.

RED ALERT

Looking to ensure they read your lips? There’s no better focus puller than red lipstick. It also happened to be a major beauty moment on the runway at Cape Town’s AFI Fashion Week last month, mouthing off at Gavin Rajah, Ituen Basi, Stefania Morland and Shana. Makeup guru Gucci Westman gives the look a fool-proof endorsement: “It works no matter what.” It also goes with just about everything and needs very little extra to pull off. In short, it’s that look with the least effort for the biggest impact.