What to Wear to a Model Casting Interview

All models know the importance of making a good first impression, and none is more vital than a model casting. A casting is an interview that prospective models must attend so a brand can judge whether they’re the right fit for them. Models need to stand out from the crowd and show their potential.

Choosing the right clothes to wear can feel daunting, but don’t worry. Follow our list of do’s and don’ts and you can’t go wrong!

What NOT to Wear to a Model Casting

First, let’s start with the don’ts. While most of these are common sense, a few may come as a surprise to aspiring models.

Do Not Wear Too Much Make-Up

Agencies and brands are using the casting as an opportunity to see your natural beauty. Wearing a face full of make-up will only cover up your natural features. This doesn’t mean you can’t wear make-up at all; in fact, it’s expected that you will wear a bit. But you need to understand the importance of the no make-up make-up look.

It’s all about emphasising your natural features without looking cakey and without selling a false impression of your looks. What we mean by this is don’t feel the urge to overdraw your lips too much as it will be a surprise when they see you without make-up. There is a fine line between using make-up to bring out your best features and using it to completely change your appearance.

• Practice with make-up so you know what works and what doesn’t. If you’re unsure, visit a make-up counter and ask them to help you colour-match your foundation and concealer shades. They can also advise on the best choices of eyeshadow and eyebrow pencils to suit your colouring.
• While brushes and sponges are a great way to apply face make-up, most experts tend to rely on the warmth of their fingers to really work the product onto the skin, leaving a seamless and natural finish.
• Choose eyeshadows that are natural and flatter your eye colour. Browns and taupes are great choices, or a slick of a subtle shimmery nude will also look great. If you don’t generally like or wear eyeshadow, run a dark brown pencil along your lashes to make them look thicker.
• Choose a good mascara that lengthens lashes without making them like spidery. A clean mascara wand is a great tool for brushing through lashes and removing any clumps.
• A natural bronze glow or a pop of colour on the cheeks will bring colour back to the skin. Cream make-up is ideal for this as it creates a natural colour while leaving the skin fresh.
• On the lips, choose a tinted balm that is close to your natural lip colour. You can use a lip pencil to lightly bring structure to your lip shape, but don’t overdo it.
• Eyebrows are fashionable to draw on at the moment, but try to create a natural yet flattering shape with the help of an eyebrow pencil or a brow mascara.

If you are concerned about a particular issue such as acne, please don’t worry. There are some supermodels who have spoken out about their issues with acne; it is a common skin complaint and won’t affect your potential career as a model. Visit a dermatologist or skin consultant for some advice and learn how to cover it carefully with the correct make-up.

Don’t Wear a Complicated Up-Do

It might feel tempting to spend time putting your hair into an elaborate up-do, but resist the urge. Agencies and brands want to see your hair in all its natural glory. Many models put their hair into a high ponytail or bun to show off their facial features, but they don’t spend hours making sure each hair is sprayed into place as they know they could be asked to take their hair down.

Style hair in a natural way that is flattering for your features. If your hair is naturally frizzy, spend time conditioning it and run some curling tongs through to define the curls. If your hair is straight, ensure the ends are cut off regularly and keep it clean and conditioned. For afro-caribbean hair, ask a professional hairdresser the best way to keep your curls moisturised and healthy. Whatever your hair type, the most important thing is to look after it as best as you can. Remember that at photoshoots there will be a hairdresser to style your hair, so you don’t have to be great at styling it yourself. But for castings, it needs to look effortlessly beautiful and compliment your look.

If you dye your hair, ensure it is done by a professional so it is even and well-maintained. Keep roots updated and visit the hairdresser regularly to maintain overall hair health.

Some models are brave and risk a bright hair colour, but be cautious – this limits the potential jobs you may get. Alternative models regularly have bright, unusual hairstyles because that is the clientele and brands they are representing. For regular modelling agencies, they usually request that hair is a natural colour.

Do Not Wear Loud Print

Now is not the time to wear complicated, loud clothing. Yes, you might look great in it, but the clothes will be distracting potential employees from the real selling point – you. A casting’s purpose is to sell YOU, not your clothing or accessories. Tone down your apparel so it shows off your physique and doesn’t attract attention or mask your shape.

Avoid Badly Fitting Clothes

Oversized jumpers look great there’s no denying it, but they don’t have a place in a casting interview. The clothing you wear needs to flatter and compliment your natural body shape, not cover it up. Feel free to wear whatever you like on your way to the casting, but be ready to take off any bulky layers like coats or jumpers, particularly if they cover you up. The same goes for winter apparel like hats and scarves. It’s a good idea to bring a large big to pack your items into.

Avoid Garish Accessories

Everyone wants to stand out, but make sure you’re standing out for all the right reasons. Do not feel the impulse to wear something silly to stand out. Stick to delicate items of jewellery that – you guessed it – wont distract.

What to Wear to a Model Casting

Now that the don’t-wears are out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the things you should be wearing to a model casting.

Heels You Can Walk In

You don’t have to attend the casting in heels, but you will need to bring a pair. This is because most agencies and brands will want to see how you walk in them. While they will probably have a pair of heels on-hand, it’s best to bring your own so you a) know they fit and b) know you can walk in them. Stiletto heels are usually the best call in a nude or black shade. Choose heels as high as you are comfortable in. There’s no need to choose huge platforms and they don’t have to be designer. Just make sure they are clean (first impressions count and scuffed heels wont look the part) and comfortable.

Remember the large bag we said would come in handy earlier? It will be a great place to store your heels while you’re not wearing them.

Wear Good Underwear

They’re not going to necessarily see your underwear (unless you are attending an interview for something you may need to be in them for, such as a lingerie or swimwear shoot), but good underwear is essential for a number of reasons.

Firstly, underwear serves as the platform for your outfits. Ill-fitting underwear will make even the best outfit look lumpy and wrong. You want a good bra with no overflow that isn’t too loose or too tight. It’s strongly advised that you get fitted by a professional regularly so you know you’re wearing the right size. (Remember, ladies – our size fluctuates all the time due to a number of factors, not just weight loss or gain, so it’s imperative you get checked regularly!)

You also want underwear that is comfortable and line-free under clothing. Nude underwear is a great call because it will be less visible in any outfits you need to wear. Many models bring a nude thong in their bag.

Men also need to think about their underwear choice. Elasticated waistlines can create bumps in the slimmest of people, so be conscious that you are wearing the correct fit.

Choose a Modest, Flattering Outfit

For casting outfit inspiration, it’s a good idea to Google what supermodels have worn to their castings. You’ll notice they all tend to choose subtle, natural colours that flatter and work with their look.

A popular casting look is a skinny jeans and white t-shirt combination. Jeans are a great look, but you MUST select a pair that fit you properly. Jeans should be the right length and fit around your waistline.

A plain t-shirt is comfortable and flattering on everyone. A crisp white top makes the skin glow, but avoid white if you tend to be a bit messy – you don’t want to arrive at a casting with a stained top!

Some models show off their legs with a skirt or dress. If your pins are your pride, show them off! Make the most out of your greatest assets – remember, you’re trying to stand out from a crowd of beautiful people.

Another favourite are chunky heeled boots or trainers. Both are comfortable and flattering. Heeled boots will give shorter models a height boost, while stylish trainers (not your gym pair!) can look great too.

What to Bring in Your Bag to Castings

Go to castings as prepared as you can be. An agency or brand will usually make specific requests about what to bring, so make sur eyou read these guidelines thoroughly.

This guidelines will differ depending on what kind of agency or brand you have applied to. They may ask you to shave your legs, or wear your hair in a specific style, or wear no make-up. Follow these guidelines to the letter.

Otherwise, it’s up to you to ensure you come fully prepared for every scenario. Here is a list of items that you should consider bringing.

• A hairbrush or comb. Men and women should ensure their hair looks unknotted and well-maintained.
• Spare make-up. You may want to touch up your make-up just before your appointment. Concealer and lip balm are usually the most important pieces to bring. Men should also think about using concealer to cover under-eye bags or blemishes.
• A book/magazine. Castings can usually require a lot of waiting around, so it’s a good idea to bring something with you to keep yourself entertained.
• Water and snacks. Keep yourself well hydrated and fed. It is not likely that food and drink will be available for you to purchase at the casting, so bring your own just in case. You may have to wait for hours at a casting, so consider these an essential thing to bring.
• Phone charger. You don’t want your phone to die in case you miss an important work call or need the maps to find your way to your destination. Bring a phone charger just in case.
• Heels. As mentioned earlier, heels are a vital model bag staple for model castings.
• Underwear. Also mentioned earlier, many models bring a nude thong in case they need to try on an outfit where underwear may be visible.
• Important documents. You may need to bring some ID with you. You might also want to print out directions to and from the casting (in case your phone dies), and any information about the brand.

Make sure you bag is big enough to put in any extra layers you might be wearing.

Remember to get to your casting early, if possible. Give yourself plenty of time to get lost and run into delays. DO NOT turn up to your casting late – if you’ve missed your appointment, they will very likely turn you away. Agents and brands need to see hundreds of men and women and a late model will show unprofessionalism.