The saying “clothes make the man” holds true, as researchers have found that our attire communicates essential information about our identity, both at work and in our daily lives. What we wear affects how others perceive us, influencing their judgments about our influence, intelligence, and financial status. These perceptions, in turn, play a role in whether hiring managers, colleagues, and clients view us as trustworthy and dependable.

In addition to striking the right professional pose and selecting the perfect portrait style, your choice of attire for your headshots plays a crucial role in establishing your professional identity within your network. Given that most people will encounter your professional headshot before meeting you in person, your wardrobe becomes a key element in making a memorable first impression.

If you’re contemplating updating your headshots, you may be wondering, “What should I wear for professional headshots?” As you prepare for your headshot session, consider these wardrobe tips and tricks for creating stunning professional portraits.

Also, if you’re interested in updating your professional headshot without visiting a studio, check out our article on how to take a professional headshot at home, using just your smartphone.

Style Tips for Professional Headshots

Dress Like Your Boss

Appropriate workplace attire varies significantly by industry. Professionals in fields such as law and medicine typically opt for formal and conservative attire, while those in technical or creative roles might appear out of place in a suit and tie.

When in doubt, look to your supervisor or another respected industry leader. The way your superiors dress often sets the standard for your industry and can help you exude confidence without seeming overly formal.

Avoid Overly Casual Clothing

Even if your industry leans towards informal dress, consider dressing more formally for your headshots to convey confidence and authority. Studies suggest that wearing formal attire can boost your sense of power and control, which can positively impact your posture and presence in photos.

Your comfort and confidence behind the camera can influence your appearance in photos, so opt for formal clothing that makes you feel good about yourself. If you need an extra dose of confidence, consider formal options like suits, ties, and formal blouses.

Remember, you don’t have to wear a suit; you can achieve a “smart casual” look that portrays friendliness without appearing overly corporate.

Feature Multiple Outfits

Think about the various people you interact with throughout your workday and tailor your clothing choices to suit each context. If you regularly engage with different types of individuals, such as entrepreneurs, consultants, or salespeople, it’s a good idea to have headshots that match each audience. Rather than trying to fit all professional scenarios into one outfit, consider taking multiple photos in different attire to ensure you’re always dressed appropriately for your professional headshot.

Opt for Suit-Inspired Silhouettes

Traditionally masculine clothing, such as trousers, blazers, and dark-colored suit jackets, can significantly impact perceptions of intelligence and ability, particularly for those in management and leadership roles. Research shows that blazers and trousers can make applicants appear more forceful and influential, leading to favorable hiring recommendations for leadership positions.

While a suit isn’t necessary, you can still draw inspiration from jacket and dress shirt combinations to create a polished look.

Avoid Older, Worn-Out Clothing

Over time, even the finest blouses and shirts will show signs of wear. This is especially true for brightly colored or knitted fabrics, which may fade or develop pilling after multiple washes. To maintain a polished appearance, opt for newer clothing or items labeled “dry clean only” to avoid these signs of wear and tear.

Stick with Simple Jewelry

The best professional headshots enhance your natural features without distracting from them. Therefore, it’s advisable to choose simple jewelry, especially if your headshot will focus closely on your face. For necklaces, ensure that the pendant is visible above the photo’s crop. When it comes to earrings, stick to metallic or gemstone studs, as dangling earrings can get tangled in hair and become lost in the photo.

Ditch the Undershirt and “Floppy Collar”

In professional headshots, the area beneath your face is crucial, as these photos are often closely cropped for platforms like LinkedIn. Pay attention to your undershirt and collar:

• Avoid wearing an undershirt, especially in white, black, or grey, as it can be distracting in a formal professional headshot.
• Ensure your collar is stiff, as a “floppy collar” can make your headshot appear sloppy, even if the rest of your attire is perfect.

What Colors To Wear for Headshots

Consider Color Theory

Color theory explores how specific colors influence our moods, thoughts, and behaviors, as well as how wardrobe hues can shape others’ perceptions of us. For example, red conveys confidence and energy, while navy blue and black exude dominance and authority. When selecting colors for your professional headshots, think about the message you want to convey and choose your attire accordingly.

• Dark colors are seen as more formal, dominant, and authoritative.
• Light colors create a friendly and approachable image.
• Some bright colors convey confidence and energy.
• Muted colors are conservative and less threatening.
• High-contrast combinations, such as a dark jacket with a light shirt, can project influence and authority.

Stick with Solid Colors

Regardless of your portrait style and setting, simple colors and subtle patterns tend to look best on everyone. Bold or busy patterns can distract from your face and lead to visual distractions like moire, which can be unpleasant.

Contrast with Your Backdrop

Consider your portrait backdrop when choosing wardrobe colors. Unless you’re aiming for a company-branded headshot, select colors that contrast with your background to ensure you stand out. This is especially important for black and white headshots, where a dark top against a dark background may make you appear like a floating head.

Contrast with Your Skin Tone

To achieve the best results, ensure that your skin tone, clothing, and backdrop all contrast. Choose attire significantly darker or lighter than your skin tone to avoid appearing nude from a distance. If you aim for a monochromatic headshot, inform your photographer in advance for expert guidance.

Avoid Outfit Combinations Typical for Other Professions

Common outfit mistakes include dressing like a doctor or a waiter. To avoid these pitfalls:

• If you’re going for a professional headshot, avoid wearing a white blazer, as it can resemble a medical coat in the final cropped headshot.
• Steer clear of the waiter look by avoiding combinations like a white button-down shirt, black tie, and black suit.

How Clothing Should Fit For Professional Headshots

Wear a Higher Neckline

For corporate website headshots, remember that they are typically cropped closely around your head and face. Even work-appropriate tops with lower necklines can appear more provocative than intended. To maintain professionalism:

• Ensure that buttons on button-up shirts do not connect below the crop of the photo.
• Women should opt for blouses and tops with higher necklines, as low-cut attire can lead to perceptions of lower competence.

Opt for Tailored Clothing

Clothing that fits closely tends to look cleaner and less distracting, especially for formal or business-casual photos. Blazers and suit jackets should fit snugly around the shoulders and arms, even if slightly tight. Most headshots are taken with jackets and blazers unbuttoned, so concerns about waistline creases are minimal.

Collared shirts and blouses should also fit snugly around the neck to avoid distracting gaps that draw attention away from your features.

The Right Wardrobe, the Right Photographer

While your attire plays a significant role in shaping the message conveyed by your professional headshots, nothing is as crucial as choosing the right photographer.

Your professional headshots are a powerful tool for making a lasting impression, so invest the time and effort needed to create a polished and impactful visual representation of yourself.

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