Consider industry-related outfits and suit-inspired silhouettes when preparing what to wear for a headshot. While you can freely choose whatever makes you feel comfortable, you also need to ensure you’re wearing well-fitted garments, layers, tops with higher necklines, and simple accessories.
You can use headshots on your company website, social media accounts, speaking engagements, and other print marketing materials. What you wear should reflect who you are as a person and a professional.
Industry-Related Outfits
Your industry will typically impact your clothing, and your dress for a headshot should rely on its function. For instance, a plain shirt would be too dressed-down for a real estate agency, whereas a black lounge suit may look too corporate for a home-based business.
- Corporate headshots: For corporate headshots, steer away from casual clothing such as shirts or hooded sweaters. Opt for sleeved tops, blazers, and trousers usually seen in an office.
- Actor headshots: Prepare a semi-formal outfit that represents the role you want to play. For example, consider a dress shirt for a role in a medical show or a leather jacket for a crime-fighting play.
- Personal branding: As long as it complements your personality and brand, you can wear anything more fashionable. It could be a jumpsuit to match your fun personality as an influencer or streetwear for your work as a dancer.
- Model headshot: Stick to essential and casual clothing for model headshots. Tank tops and shirts in neutral colors are ideal for helping photographers, designers, or stylists envision you in their work.
Suit-Inspired Silhouettes
Traditional attire like slacks, blazers, and suit coats can affect intelligence, power, and authority views.
A study shows that blazers and trousers make applicants look more influential and forceful. Suits in darker colors also tend to have a more favorable influence when applying for leadership and management roles.
Well-Fitted Layers
Layering clothes adds depth to your outfit while creating a slimming effect. Make sure the blouse, vest, and suit jacket fit closely around the shoulders and arms, even as you layer them.
You should wear lighter or thinner garments first, then add one or two layers of thicker fabrics. For instance, a button-down shirt first under a wool sweater and cashmere topcoat.
However, you should refrain from including accessories like uneven shoulder pads, sloppy tie knots, or pocket squares with distracting designs that could make the outfit appear heavy. Clothing that is too big and baggy can make you appear untidy and unprofessional.
Tops With a Higher Neckline
Headshot photographers usually crop the images close around the head and face. Wear button-up shirts, blouses, or dresses with higher necklines that don’t distract the viewer’s attention from your face.
Low or scoop necklines can make your shoulders larger or the neck slightly wider. While V-necks, plunging necklines, and loose collars might detract attention from your face.
Accessories
Stick with essential pieces like a pendant, gemstone studs, and a wristwatch if you wish to wear accessories. These accessories won’t get in your hair or get lost in the layers of your clothes. Moreover, avoid wearing hats or scarves unless it’s part of your uniform.
You can wear eyeglasses if you wear them whenever you face people, especially customers. I will only ask you to remove the glasses if you have transition lenses that go dark in bright lighting or are highly reflective.
Whatever Makes You Feel Comfortable
Aside from people’s perception of you, dressing smart also affects your confidence, performance, and sense of self-empowerment. How you feel behind the camera will affect your pose, body language, and facial expression in the headshots.
If you wear something you don’t feel good in, you may look uncomfortable or hurt in the photos. You should still consider comfort above everything else.
At my Wynwood Studio, you get full one-on-one attention in a photography environment that makes you feel comfortable and at ease. I also shoot my tethered to a laptop so you can instantly see if you like your wardrobe or want to change anything, so the results are consistent quality headshots that set you apart in your field.
What Should You Not Wear in a Professional Headshot
After years of photographing several people, I have found the things or elements that don’t work well during a headshot shoot.
- Distracting logos and patterns: Avoid graphic tees or shirts with distracting designs or logos unless you’re wearing a company-provided shirt. Trim lines and prominent symbols can form distorted patterns in the photos.
- Thin fabrics: Studio lights can be bright, so delicate fabrics can make some tops a bit see-through.
- Old or worn-out clothing: Tell-tale evidence of wear, such as faded colors or holes, might make you appear unprofessional.
Related Questions
What Are the Best Colors to Wear in a Headshot?
It’s best to stick to simple, solid colors regardless of the portrait style or setting, such as neutral tones, teal, and black. Loud and vibrant colors can distract the viewer away from your face.
How Should I Style My Hair for a Headshot?
Even for a headshot, style your hair in a way another person would see you in real life. Keep your curls if you have them, and avoid getting extensions if you usually have short hair. Get a haircut five days before the shoot so you won’t have a freshly cut look.
Should I Wear Makeup for My Headshot Shoot?
Yes, as long as it gives you a natural look, you can wear makeup in headshots. Plan your makeup the same way you display your hairstyle in real life. It should best express your individuality whether you go light on makeup or heavy.
Conclusion
In a professional headshot session, what you wear might affect how the pictures turn out. However, remember that what works for one person may not necessarily be ideal for you. We can plan your headshot wardrobe to guarantee you look your best.
Corporations large and small trust GFP with their headshots. Join the many Fortune 500 companies like Google, Forbes, J.P. Morgan, Hewlett Packard, and NASDAQ — as well as dozens of law firms and financial firms in San Francisco — and contact Gustavo Fernandez Photography today to upgrade your company headshots.