Dress Up
Dress Up is a short energiser for video calls in which everyone switches their camera off, has one minute to improvise a costume from whatever is within reach, and then all cameras come back on at the same moment for a reveal. It is published by the Amsterdam facilitation agency Mischief Makers in its Facilipedia collection. The fun lies in the improvised, makeshift outfits, and the facilitator finishes by pointing out a few of them and optionally naming a winner.
Facilitation script
- 1
Ask for gallery view, explain the task and show your own improvised item so the bar is low.
1 min - 2
Cameras off. Start the one-minute costume hunt and call out the remaining time.
1 min - 3
Count to three and have everyone switch cameras on together.
1 min - 4
Tour the gallery, comment on several costumes, name a winner if you want one, and bridge to the next topic.
3 min
Tips
Go first in spirit: have a silly hat or scarf ready and say that a tea towel on the head counts, so nobody thinks a proper costume is expected.
Make taking part optional without commenting on who opts out.
Keep the one-minute limit strict, because the time pressure is what keeps the outfits improvised and the stakes low.
Common pitfalls
Presenting it as compulsory: people who feel uncomfortable switch off mentally or stay off camera for the rest of the session
Giving more than a minute or two: people start hunting for real costumes, the break drags and the improvised charm is gone
Commenting only on the two most elaborate outfits: everyone who made a modest effort feels overlooked
Making jokes about someone's home, clothes or appearance instead of the costume: a light moment becomes a personal one
Running it with a group too large to see on screen: the reveal falls flat because nobody can take in the gallery
Variations
Give a theme for the costume, such as a film character or a job the person once wanted, to add a guessing round. In a larger call, have people scroll through gallery pages for a minute or take a group screenshot instead of commenting on individuals. In a hybrid meeting the people in the room can raid the meeting room and coat rack. For a calmer version, ask for one prop or one hat only.
Where it fits
When to use it
A long online workshop where people have been sitting still and looking at slides for more than an hour
A remote team that already knows each other a little and enjoys some silliness
Most participants are at home or somewhere with objects to hand
You need something that gets people out of their chairs and takes no preparation
The gallery fits on one or two screens so everyone can see the reveal
When not to use it
A first meeting with senior stakeholders or clients, where looking silly on camera feels risky; a simple check-in question is safer
Several people are in open-plan offices, on phones or have cameras off for good reason; a chat-based energiser includes them better
The group has just dealt with bad news or a tense topic and playfulness would feel out of place
The session is being recorded or screenshots will be shared and people have not agreed to that
You want people to learn something about each other; Guess the Desk or Take a Picture of Your Shoes prompts more conversation
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is Dress Up?▾
Dress Up is an online energiser from the Mischief Makers Facilipedia. Participants switch off their cameras, spend one minute improvising a costume from whatever they have nearby, and then turn their cameras back on together. The shared reveal takes a few minutes and usually gets people laughing and moving.
How long does Dress Up take?▾
Five to ten minutes in total. The costume hunt itself is one minute; the rest is explanation, the reveal and a look around the gallery.
What if some participants do not want to dress up?▾
Make it clear at the start that joining is a choice and that a single prop is enough. People who stay as they are can still enjoy the reveal and vote for a favourite. If you expect most of the group to feel uneasy, pick a lower-exposure energiser instead.
Does it work with large groups?▾
It works with any number in principle, but the reveal depends on seeing the others. Once the gallery runs over more than two screens, ask people to page through for a minute or take a group screenshot so the effect is not lost.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Mischief Makers (Facilipedia).