What to Wear for Headshots: Tips for Making a Memorable Impression

When it comes to headshots, the right clothing can make all the difference. Your outfit not only reflects your personal style but also conveys a tone of professionalism, authenticity, kindness, and confidence. In this blog post, we’ll explore some valuable tips on what to wear for headshots to ensure you look your best and come across with the right tone. From choosing well-fitted attire to selecting appropriate colors and textures, let’s dive in!

Opt for Well Fitted Clothing

 One of the key factors in achieving a polished look for headshots is wearing clothing that fits you well. Avoid overly loose or baggy outfits that may appear sloppy or unprofessional. Well-fitted clothing not only enhances your overall appearance but also helps accentuate your body’s natural contours, giving you a sharp and confident look.

Mind the Collar Line

The collar of your clothing is an important detail that can significantly impact your headshot. Opt for shirts or blouses with collars that suit your face shape and provide a clean and well-defined look. For round faces use a round color line. For oval faces use a V-neck or button down. Avoid overly floppy collars with drapy fabric, rutcheting, or cowl neck sweaters. A well-pressed collar adds a touch of professionalism and contributes to an overall polished appearance.

Plain Colors without Patterns are my Go-To

When it comes to headshots, simplicity is key. Opt for solid-colored clothing without distracting patterns or graphics for at least one of your outfits. Solid colors allow the focus to remain on your face and minimize any visual distractions. It’s also much easier for me to photoshop out wrinkles, stray hairs, or tummy bumps (we all have them!) when the clothing is one solid color. Neutral colors like black, white, gray, and navy blue are timeless and work well. I also always recommend jewel-tone colors like saphire blue, teal, emerald green, deep peach, coral, red, or bright yellow. Colors like light beige or tan, pale yellow or light pink could cause the face to also look pale and washed out. 

Steer Clear of Stripes…Mostly

While stripes can be stylish in everyday wear, they can create visual distortion in headshots. Thin stripes, in particular, can appear jagged or create moiré patterns on camera. It’s best to avoid wearing striped clothing for headshots all together. Instead, choose solid colors or clothing with subtle textures for a more visually appealing result.

IF YOU DO wear stripes, use it for visual interest as an undershirt with a sweater over top like the image above!

Consider Texture Pairings

If you just can’t stand the idea of wearing a plain cotton shirt in a solid color, try giving it some texture instead! Adding shirts with subtle texture to your outfit can elevate your headshots and create visual interest. Think of knits, tweeds, linens, lace, or other fabrics with different textures to add depth and dimension to your overall look. For example, you can pair a textured blazer with a smooth or subtly patterned shirt or blouse. Wear an Anthropologie-style blouse with lace-like texture. How about a half-zip wool sweater over that button up shirt instead of a blazer. This interplay of textures adds sophistication and makes your headshot more visually engaging without going overboard.

Harmonize Color Tones

For a cohesive and put-together look, consider pairing similar color tones in your outfit or similar color tones between your outfit and your background. This means combining shades from the same color family or opting for a monochromatic look. For instance, a dark suit coat paired with a dark undershirt creates a streamlined and professional appearance. Or, like above, a pink shirt with a pink background gives it image balance. Too much contrast can confuse the eye or give an unsettling look within your photograph. Harmonizing color tones in your clothing and environment enhances visual continuity and draws attention to your face.

Now Get Going!

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to capturing headshots that reflect your personality, professionalism, and confidence.

Start by “shopping” your closet or ask a friend, colleage, or that helpful sister-in-law if they might have anything you could borrow. 

My Final Helpful Hint!!

When you schedule a full headshot session at my studio, we will have enough time to get through at least 2-3 outfits, but plan to BRING MORE than that! Grab several shirts, sweaters, blazers and undershirts. I can help you pair things together, steam out the extra wrinkles or even take a quick shot and then look at everything on the computer to see if it reads well. That’s the beauty of getting your headshots done at EJP! We make sure you walk out the door with the absolute best images.