What to Wear for Professional Headshots?
Elevate your professional headshot with the perfect attire! Discover expert tips on what to wear, from industry-appropriate styles to colors that complement your look. Learn how to balance comfort, confidence, and professionalism to create a headshot that makes a lasting impression.
Dress for the job – and the life – you want.
Are you a tech entrepreneur? Lawyer? Designer? Healthcare professional?
The right outfit can make or break your professional headshot. It’s your chance to showcase confidence, credibility, and personality all in one image. In this guide, we’ll share tailored style tips for different industries to help you choose attire that complements your profession and elevates your headshot to the next level!
Don't miss the special section with bonus tips at the end of the article!
7 Tips on What to Wear for Professional Headshots
Tip 1: Choose the Perfect Clothes
Dress According to Your Industry Standards: Choose attire that aligns with your industry's dress code: suits for formal sectors or business casual for more relaxed fields.
Comfort: Choose clothing that you feel comfortable and confident in. Especially, if your professional headshot session will be lengthy. Comfortable clothing can help you feel more relaxed and confident. Your comfort will translate into a more relaxed and natural-looking headshot.
Right Fabric: If you are browsing for what to wear for your professional headshots, choose fabrics that are not too shiny or reflective, as they can cause glare in photos. Matte fabrics tend to photograph well and are a safe choice. Some examples of matte fabrics include cotton, wool, and some types of polyester.
Clean and Ironed Clothes: Make sure your clothes are clean, pressed, and wrinkle-free. Wrinkled clothes can detract from the overall look of your headshots. Also, choose lint-free clothing to avoid distractions in your headshots.
Longer Sleeves and Higher Necklines: Longer sleeves can help create a more balanced look in your headshots. Higher necklines can draw attention to your face. They can also help hide any imperfections or tattoos that you may not want to show in your photos.
Well-Fitted Attire: Make sure that your clothes fit you well. Avoid clothes that are too tight or loose, as they can look unprofessional in photos.
Tip 2: Choose colors That Work Best for You
Select the right colors for your professional headshots. They can enhance your overall appearance and help you make a positive impression.
Consider Your Skin Tone
Warm Tones: If you have warm undertones in your skin (yellow, peach, or golden hues), consider wearing colors like earth tones, warm blues, and greens. Cool Tones: If you have cool undertones in your skin (pink, red, or blue hues), opt for colors like jewel tones, cool blues, and purples.
Consider Background
Contrast: Consider how your professional headshots outfit will contrast with the background of your headshots. You want to ensure that you stand out without clashing with the background. If you're unsure, neutral colors are a safe choice.
Consider Your Industry and Message
Distinctive Colors: Avoid wearing color combinations that are commonly associated with other professions. For example, a black and white outfit might be typical for waitstaff. So, it's best to avoid this combination to avoid any misinterpretations.
Creative Industries: If you work in a creative field, you may be able to experiment. Here, you may have more leeway to experiment with colors. However, it's still important to choose colors that complement your skin tone and convey the right message.
Conservative Industries: If you are wondering what to wear for headshots for conservative industries, you should stick to classic colors. You can go with colors like black, navy blue, and gray. These colors convey professionalism and are unlikely to be seen as overly flashy.
Ultimately, the best colors to wear for your professional headshot attire are ones that make you feel confident. You should always feel comfortable in what you wear. If you have a favorite color that you feel great in, don't be afraid to incorporate it into your professional headshot outfit.
Tip 3: Dress Like Your Boss
The professional headshot attire that's considered appropriate can vary widely by industry. For example, lawyers and doctors are generally expected to dress more formally. Whereas those in technical or creative roles might find a suit and tie to be too formal.
One helpful tip is to take cues from your boss or other industry leaders you admire. Observing how they dress can give you a good idea of what's considered appropriate in your field thus giving you a visual representation of what to wear for your professional headshots. These individuals often serve as role models for professional behavior. They can provide valuable insights into how to dress appropriately in your workplace.
By dressing like your boss, you show that you understand and adhere to the professional standards of your field. This can help you make a positive impression in your headshots and convey a sense of confidence and authority.
Tip 4: Consider Layering
In your quest to figure out what to wear for your professional headshots, layering can add depth and visual interest to your professional headshots.
For Men:
- Blazer or Suit Jacket: Adding a blazer or suit jacket can instantly elevate your look. It can add a touch of sophistication. Choose a well-fitted jacket in a neutral color for a classic and polished appearance.
- Vest: A vest can be a stylish addition to your outfit. Especially, if you want to add some extra warmth without wearing a jacket. Opt for a vest that complements your shirt and trousers for a cohesive look.
- Sweater: A sweater can be a great layering piece, especially in cooler weather. Choose a lightweight sweater in a solid color or subtle pattern to add texture to your outfit.
For Women:
- Blazer or Cardigan: A tailored blazer or a stylish cardigan can add a polished touch to your outfit. Choose a blazer that fits well and flatters your figure. Opt for a cardigan with interesting details or textures.
- Scarf: A scarf can add a pop of color and texture to your outfit. Choose a scarf that complements your outfit and enhances your overall look.
When layering, it's important to maintain balance in your outfit. Avoid adding too many layers or bulky items that can overwhelm your frame. Make sure that each layer fits well and flatters your body shape. Ill-fitting layers can look sloppy and detract from your overall appearance.
Tip 5: Opt for Tailored Clothing
Tailored clothing may be more expensive than ready-made options. But, it is often worth the investment for the superior fit and quality. It can give exceptional fitting, comfort, and confidence to your personality. If you already own clothing that is not tailored, consider taking it to a tailor for alterations. A few simple alterations can make a big difference in how your clothes fit and look.
Tip 6: Accessorise Thoughtfully
Accessorizing can enhance your professional headshots, but it's important to do so thoughtfully.
For men, a tie that compliments the attire, a stylish watch, and a pocket square instantly make any look more elegant.
For women, some understated simple jewelry, sleek and sober hair accessories, and maybe even a scarf can add more richness to your look.
Tip 7: Groom Yourself and Rest Well
In addition to choosing the right outfit and accessories, grooming and rest are also crucial for your professional headshots.
Hair:
- Trim and Style: Keep hair well-groomed and styled; a fresh trim makes a difference.
- Avoid Drastic Changes: Stick to a familiar hairstyle that complements your face and looks professional.
Facial Hair:
- Beard and Mustache: If you have facial hair, make sure it is neatly trimmed and groomed. Consider visiting a barber or stylist for a professional touch.
- Clean-Shaven: If you prefer a clean-shaven look, make sure to shave closely before your session to avoid any stubble.
Skin Care:
- Moisturise: Keep your skin well-moisturised to ensure a healthy glow. Avoid heavy moisturizers that can make your skin look greasy.
- Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure: Sunburns or tan lines can be distracting in photos. Try to avoid excessive sun exposure before your session.
Makeup:
- Keep the makeup as natural as possible
- Choose neutral colors that blend in and only enhance your natural features
Rest:
- Get Adequate Sleep: Sleep well to avoid puffy eyes and tired looks.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink water and limit alcohol/caffeine to maintain fresh skin.
- Relax: Try to relax and destress before your session. A calm and relaxed demeanor will translate into a confident and approachable look in your photos.
Bonus Tip: What Should You Avoid?
While choosing the right outfit and accessories is important for your professional headshots, there are some things you should avoid to ensure you look your best.
- Overly Trendy Outfits: Skip overly trendy styles or large logos that can date your photo and appear unprofessional. Stick to timeless, flattering classics.
- Loud Patterns: Avoid distracting patterns; opt for solid colors or subtle designs that keep the focus on your face.
- Gaudy and Shiny Clothes: Choose matte fabrics over shiny or flashy ones for a polished, distraction-free look.
- Old and Wornout Clothes: Wear clean, wrinkle-free, and well-maintained outfits to project professionalism.
- Ill-Fitting Clothing: Ensure your attire fits properly and complements your body shape; tailoring is worth considering.
- Excessive Jewelry: Keep accessories minimal—choose one or two subtle pieces that enhance your look without drawing attention.
- Heavy Makeup: Go for a natural, polished makeup look that enhances your features without appearing overdone.
- Wrinkled Clothing: Make sure your clothing is clean and wrinkle-free for your headshot session. Wrinkled clothing can look unprofessional and can detract from your overall appearance.
- Inappropriate Clothing: Avoid wearing clothing that is too casual or revealing for your professional headshots. Choose outfits that are appropriate for your industry and convey a professional image.
- Combinations Typical for Other Professions: Avoid wearing outfits that are commonly associated with other professions. For example, the combination of black trousers and a white shirt may resemble a waitstaff uniform. This may not be suitable for a professional headshot in a different industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I wear black for a headshot?
You can absolutely wear black for a headshot. Just make sure that the background isn’t also dark. A light neutral shade background would be perfect for black attire in a headshot.
- What are the best background colors for headshots?
The best colors for the background for headshots are minimalistic white or light tones and solid contrasting pastel colors. Avoid really bright colors in the background. You can even be in a non-cluttered outdoor setting, a library, or an office environment for a good background for headshots.
- What colors not to wear in headshots?
While choosing colors to wear for your professional headshot outfit, avoid bright fluorescent colors, shiny silver, or other metallic colors.
Are you looking for the best place to get top-notch professional headshots?
You Are in the Right Place!
Welcome! You have arrived at the ultimate destination for professional headshots. Here’s why InstaHeadshots – our AI headshot generator service stands out:
- Top-rated service: Trusted by clients for exceptional quality and professionalism.
- Flexible Packages: Options to suit every need and budget.
- High-Quality Results: Delivering stunning headshots that exceed expectations.
- Affordable Pricing: Competitive rates with excellent value for money.
- Hassle-Free Process: Skip the stress of traditional photoshoots with our seamless service.
Contact Us:
- If you have any questions or need further information, our team is here to help. Feel free to reach out at help@instaheadshots.com.
Don’t wait any longer! Create your perfect headshot now and experience the difference.