The Short Answer
For professional headshots, wear solid colours, clean lines, and clothing that fits well. Jackets, blazers, collared shirts, and structured layers usually photograph well. Avoid loud patterns, logos, shiny fabrics, and anything that blends into a light or dark background. Bring three to five outfit options so the photographer can help choose what works best on the day.
The Simple Rule for Headshot Clothing
Your clothing should frame your face, match your professional role, and avoid anything that distracts from your expression.
That is the whole principle. Everything else on this page flows from it. When you are choosing what to pack, run each item through that filter: does it frame the face, does it suit the context, and does anything about it draw the eye away from the person wearing it?
Clothing That Usually Photographs Well
- Solid colours. A solid navy, charcoal, or deep green reads clean and professional in a way that a patterned fabric rarely does.
- Jackets and blazers. They add structure, create a defined shoulder line, and read as professional without much effort. Even a simple blazer over a plain shirt changes how a headshot reads.
- Collared shirts. Collars frame the lower face. A well-pressed collar in a flattering colour is one of the most consistent choices for a headshot.
- Structured layers. A cardigan, light blazer, or structured knit works well, especially for less formal roles or industries.
- High-contrast combinations. A dark blazer over a lighter shirt, for example, photographs cleanly and adds visual definition.
- Clothing that fits your body now. Not too tight, not too loose. Well-fitting clothing of any kind photographs better than a designer item that doesn't sit right.
One note on white: a white shirt under a blazer works well because the darker layer carries the visual weight. Large expanses of bright white on its own can pull light and attention away from the face.
Colours That Tend to Photograph Well
This is not a neutrals-only list. The actual rule is: avoid colours that compete with your face. The following tend to work because they sit behind the face rather than in front of it.
- Navy
- Charcoal
- Grey (mid to dark)
- Black
- Deep green or forest green
- Burgundy or deep red
- Soft or medium blue
- Cream or off-white, used carefully
- Earth tones that suit your complexion and industry
Bright neons, stark white worn alone, and very pale pastels can all create exposure challenges under studio lighting. They are not impossible, but they are the colours most likely to need adjustment during the shoot.
What to Avoid Wearing
- Loud patterns, large prints, and bold graphics
- Small busy patterns (tight pinstripes, small checks, dense herringbone) that vibrate on camera
- Logos, visible badges, or branded clothing
- Neon or very bright colours
- Shiny fabrics or satin-like materials that catch studio light unpredictably
- Clothing that blends into a light or dark background
- Wrinkled or unsteamed clothing
- Clothing that is too tight and creates tension lines
- Clothing that is too loose and collapses without shape
- Very large jewellery that draws the eye away from the face
- Distracting accessories
Fit Matters More Than Fashion
A well-fitting plain shirt will photograph better than a beautiful jacket that pulls across the shoulders or bags at the waist. Clothing that fits well sits quietly in the photo. Clothing that doesn't fit becomes part of the story.
A few things worth checking before the session:
- Try clothes on rather than assuming they still fit the same as last year.
- Move around in them. If anything bunches, pulls, wrinkles, or sags when you move, it will do the same on camera.
- Avoid items you have been meaning to make work. Headshot day is not the time to test them.
- Tailored fit is ideal but not required. Well-fitted off-the-rack clothing works well.
Collars, Jackets, and Necklines
These elements sit closest to the face, so they have an outsized effect on how the photo reads.
Collars: Press them before the session. A collar that curls, collapses, or sits unevenly will photograph that way. Check in a mirror that both sides are sitting flat and symmetrically before you leave the house.
Jackets: Jackets add structure and consistently photograph well. They also cover minor fit issues at the shoulders and upper body. A well-fitted blazer is one of the most reliable headshot options regardless of industry.
Necklines: Clean, intentional necklines photograph best. Avoid necklines that are too high and create a tight band around the throat, or too low and pull the eye downward. Scooped and V-neck styles in plain fabric usually work well.
Glasses and Accessories
Glasses: Wearing your regular glasses is completely fine. Clean the lenses before the session. Two things to be aware of:
- Transition lenses may not fully clear under studio lighting, leaving a slight tint. If you have a clear-lens pair, bring them as a backup.
- Blue-light reflective coatings can produce visible reflections under studio or flash lighting. A backup pair without that coating is worth having.
Removing lenses entirely is an option if you are comfortable and it is safe for your prescription. Mention it to the photographer beforehand if you are considering it.
Jewellery and accessories: Simple works best. Watches, earrings, necklaces, and similar accessories are all fine when they don't dominate the frame. If a piece draws your eye immediately when you look in the mirror, it will draw the eye in the photo too.
What to Bring
Bring more than you think you will need. Having options on the day makes it easier to choose what photographs best, and switching outfits mid-session is straightforward.
- A casual option (something you would wear to a relaxed professional meeting)
- A smart-casual option (a collared shirt, a structured top)
- A more formal option (blazer or jacket, if relevant to your work)
- A backup shirt or jacket in a different colour
- Accessories if they are part of how you typically present professionally
- A lint roller
Three to five pieces total is a practical range. More than that can make the decisions harder, not easier.
If Your Employer Is Using the Photo
Check with your employer or HR before the session. Many companies have a preferred background colour, dress standard, or visual consistency they want across team headshots. Getting that information in advance is easier than reshooting later.
- Ask whether a background colour has been specified and avoid clothing that matches or blends into it.
- Ask about the expected dress standard: business formal, smart casual, or matching an existing team set.
- If other team members have existing headshots, look at what they are wearing. Avoid standing out significantly in either direction.
- If you are unsure, bring one option that matches the company's visible style and one slightly more polished option.
If this is part of a scheduled team session rather than an individual booking, read How to Prepare for a Corporate Headshot Day for the logistics side.
Quick Wardrobe Checklist
- Clothing fits well and has been tried on recently
- Solid colours selected, no loud patterns or logos
- No shiny or satin-like fabrics
- Clothes ironed or steamed
- Collar pressed and sitting flat
- Glasses lenses clean, backup pair packed if applicable
- Backup outfit included
- Accessories kept simple
- Employer dress code confirmed if applicable
- Three to five total options in your bag
Frequently Asked Questions
- What colours are best for professional headshots?
- Navy, charcoal, grey, black, deep green, burgundy, and soft blue tend to photograph well. They sit behind the face rather than competing with it. Earth tones can also work depending on your complexion and the background. Avoid bright neons and very pale pastels, which can create exposure challenges under studio lighting.
- Should I wear black or white for a headshot?
- Black usually photographs cleanly and is a safe choice. White works best under a blazer or layer rather than worn on its own, since large areas of bright white can pull light and attention away from the face. Off-white or cream is often a better choice if you want a lighter tone.
- Are patterns okay for headshots?
- Small busy patterns such as tight pinstripes or herringbone weaves tend to vibrate on camera and become distracting. Bold prints pull attention away from the face. Solid colours are more reliable. If you prefer some texture, a subtle matte knit or woven fabric is usually fine.
- Should I wear a blazer?
- A blazer is one of the most reliable choices for a professional headshot. It adds structure, defines the shoulder line, and reads as professional without requiring the clothing to do much else. Bring one even if you are unsure whether you will use it.
- Can I wear glasses in my headshot?
- Yes. Clean the lenses before the session. If you have transition lenses or a blue-light reflective coating, bring a clear backup pair if possible, since those can catch studio light or hold a slight tint. Most regular prescription glasses photograph without issue.
- How many outfits should I bring?
- Three to five options is a practical range. Include one casual option, one smart-casual, and one formal option if applicable to your work. Having a choice on the day makes it easier to select what photographs best against the background and lighting.