Top 5 'Video-Call-Ready' Layering Techniques to wear for Looking Polished From the Waist Up in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
Welcome back to the blog! Let's talk about a reality of modern professional life that isn't going anywhere: the video call. By 2025, we've moved past the initial scramble of "Is my camera on?" and into a new era of intentional remote presence. The "business on top, pyjamas on the bottom" joke has evolved. Now, it’s about mastering the art of looking effortlessly polished, powerful, and put-together from the waist up, without sacrificing the comfort that working from home affords.
Gone are the days of simply throwing on a blazer and calling it a day. The high-definition clarity of our webcams demands more nuance, more texture, and more personality. It’s about creating visual interest that translates through a screen, making you look and feel like the capable professional you are. The secret? Strategic layering. It’s not just about warmth; it’s about building a look with depth, dimension, and deliberate style.
Forget frantic, last-minute wardrobe changes. We've curated the top five 'video-call-ready' layering techniques that will define professional work-from-home style in 2025. These methods are simple to execute, rely on versatile pieces you may already own, and guarantee you'll command attention in any virtual meeting room.
1. The Modern Classic: The Structured Knit Over a Crisp Collar
We're starting with a timeless combination, but with a crucial 2025 update. The classic sweater-over-a-collared-shirt is being refined for a sharper, more contemporary virtual meeting style. The key is moving away from bulky, casual knits and instead opting for a beautifully structured, fine-gauge sweater. Think merino wool, cashmere blends, or a dense cotton knit with a clean silhouette.
This isn't just about throwing any sweater over any shirt. The magic is in the details. A well-fitting crewneck or a sophisticated quarter-zip knit allows just the perfect amount of collar to peek through. This creates a clean, intentional frame around your face. The collar itself is just as important—ensure it’s crisp, ironed, and sits neatly without bunching under the sweater's neckline. This pairing signals a relaxed authority; it says you're comfortable but have paid attention to the details.
Pro-Tips for Nailing the Look:
- Play with Collars: Don't limit yourself to a standard point collar. A button-down collar offers a slightly more casual, "Ivy League" vibe, while a delicate Peter Pan collar or a soft pussy-bow tie blouse underneath can add a touch of femininity and softness.
- Focus on Contrast: Create visual interest with color and texture. A dark navy knit over a brilliant white shirt is eternally chic. A camel sweater over a light blue chambray shirt feels modern and approachable. The smooth texture of the shirt against the fine weave of the knit adds a subtle depth that reads beautifully on camera.
- Check Your Neckline: The neckline of the knit is paramount. A classic crewneck is foolproof. A V-neck can also work, but ensure it's not too deep and that the "V" is sharp and well-constructed to properly frame the shirt collar beneath it.
2. The Power Play: The Vest and Waistcoat Revival
The tailored vest, or waistcoat, has made a powerful comeback, and it's the ultimate secret weapon for waist-up fashion. It offers all the structure and polish of a blazer without the full commitment of sleeves, which can feel restrictive and hot when you're sitting at your desk all day. A well-fitted vest instantly sharpens your silhouette, defines your shoulders, and adds a layer of professional gravitas.
There are two main avenues to explore here. First is the sweater vest, which has shed its stuffy, academic reputation and emerged as a chic, preppy layering piece. Worn over a simple long-sleeve tee or a crisp button-down, it adds texture and a pop of color. The second, more formal option is the tailored waistcoat, often part of a suit. Worn on its own over a silk shell or a fitted blouse, it creates an incredibly sharp, commanding presence that is both modern and timeless.
Pro-Tips for Nailing the Look:
- Fit is Everything: A vest must fit impeccably. It should skim your torso without pulling at the buttons or gaping at the armholes. For a waistcoat, the length should be just right—traditionally covering the waistband of your trousers, though for video calls, the focus is on a clean line across the chest and torso.
- Fabric Matters: For a more relaxed, creative feel, opt for a knit sweater vest in a quality wool or cotton. For a corporate power look, a tailored waistcoat in a suiting fabric like wool, tweed, or a structured linen blend is perfect.
- Layer Intelligently: The piece you wear underneath the vest sets the tone. A classic white button-down is always a win. For a softer, more modern take, try layering a tailored vest over a fine-gauge turtleneck or a simple silk t-shirt. This contrast between the structured vest and the soft base layer is visually compelling.
3. The Textural Duo: The "Cardi-Blazer"
Let's be clear: we are not talking about the slouchy, pilled cardigan you lived in during the early WFH days. The 2025 evolution is the "cardi-blazer" or "coatigan"—a cardigan engineered with the DNA of a jacket. These pieces are crafted from more substantial, structured knits like dense merino, ponte, or bouclé, and they feature design elements borrowed from tailoring.
Look for cardigans with defined lapels, structured (but soft) shoulders, and a cut that follows the lines of the body rather than draping shapelessly. This incredible hybrid piece gives you the comfort and ease of a knit with the visual authority and polish of a blazer. It’s the perfect solution for looking put-together on camera while feeling completely comfortable at your desk. As a stylist, I often tell my clients that finding the perfect cardi-blazer is a game-changer for a versatile wardrobe.
Pro-Tips for Nailing the Look:
- Seek Structure: The number one rule is to look for structure. Does it have a lapel or a clean, sharp edge-to-edge opening? Does it have a bit of weight to it so it hangs properly? These are the details that elevate it from a simple sweater to a work-ready third piece.
- Belt It: For an even more defined and polished silhouette on screen, try adding a slim leather belt over your cardi-blazer at your natural waist. This instantly creates shape and adds a sophisticated finishing touch.
- Contrast Your Base Layer: Wear your cardi-blazer over a simple, contrasting base layer to make it the star of the show. A black ponte knit cardi-blazer over a cream silk camisole or a jewel-toned shell top is a simple, effective, and incredibly chic Zoom meeting outfit.
4. The Elevated Casual: The Scarf as a Third Piece
Never underestimate the power of a well-placed scarf to completely transform a simple top. This technique isn’t about bundling up for warmth; it's about strategically using a beautiful scarf as a deliberate, stylish third piece to add color, pattern, and a focal point to your on-screen look. A high-quality scarf in silk, modal, or a lightweight cashmere blend can do the work of a statement necklace and a blazer all in one.
This is one of the easiest ways to inject your personality into your work-from-home style. A vibrant pattern can signal creativity, while a solid, richly colored scarf can convey confidence and sophistication. It draws the eye upward towards your face, adds dimension to your outfit, and instantly makes a simple crewneck sweater or a plain blouse look incredibly intentional and thought-out.
Pro-Tips for Nailing the Look:
- Master a Few Knots: You don't need to be an expert. Learn two or three simple, elegant knots. A simple drape, where the scarf is just looped once around the neck with the ends hanging down, is elegant and easy. The "European loop" is another quick and polished option. For a more formal feel, a square silk scarf can be folded and tied neatly to the side.
- Coordinate, Don't Match: Your scarf shouldn't be an exact match to your top. Instead, choose a scarf that picks up on a subtle color in your top or provides a complementary contrast. If you're wearing a navy top, a scarf with hints of navy, coral, and cream would be stunning.
- Consider the Fabric: A stiff, bulky scarf will overwhelm you on camera. Opt for fabrics with a beautiful drape. Silk, lightweight wool, modal, and viscose blends are all excellent choices as they sit gracefully and add a touch of luxury without adding bulk.
5. The Artful Frame: The Statement Collar Over a Crewneck
Our final technique is for those who want to make a stylish, fashion-forward statement with minimal effort. This look hinges on a single, powerful detail: a statement collar. This could be a detachable collar you add to any top, or it could be a blouse with an exaggerated collar worn underneath a simple, high-quality crewneck sweater. The effect is an immediate, high-impact frame for your face.
The beauty of this layering technique lies in its delightful contrast. The simplicity of the crewneck sweater (or even a refined sweatshirt) acts as a canvas, allowing the intricate details of the collar—be it lace, ruffles, scalloped edges, or sharp, oversized points—to take center stage. It’s a trick I often recommend in my styling sessions with Goh Ling Yong; it's an incredibly effective way to make a basic knit look like a high-end designer piece. This look is creative, confident, and utterly memorable.
Pro-Tips for Nailing the Look:
- Balance is Key: The success of this look is all about balance. Since the collar is the statement, keep the sweater simple. A solid, neutral color like black, grey, navy, or cream works best. This ensures the collar is the hero of the outfit.
- Explore Detachable Options: Investing in a few detachable collars is a brilliant wardrobe hack. You can find them in all sorts of styles, from crisp white cotton to ornate beaded versions. They allow you to transform dozens of basic tops in your closet instantly.
- Mind Your Jewelry: With a statement collar, your neckline is already adorned. Keep other jewelry minimal. A pair of simple stud earrings or small hoops is all you need to complete the look without it becoming too busy for the screen.
Your On-Screen Presence, Redefined
Mastering your video-call-ready look for 2025 is not about creating a complicated, uncomfortable wardrobe. It's about being strategic, intentional, and understanding how to build a polished look using smart, comfortable layers. From the structured knit to the statement collar, these five techniques provide a blueprint for looking and feeling your best in any virtual setting.
By focusing on texture, silhouette, and thoughtful details, you can create a work-from-home style that is both authentic to you and commands professional respect. The goal is to craft a look that makes you feel confident the moment you click "Join Meeting."
Now we want to hear from you! Which of these layering techniques are you most excited to try for your next big video call? Do you have another go-to waist-up styling trick? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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