What you wear is the single thing you control most on a headshot day. Get it right and the photo looks effortless; get it wrong and even great lighting cannot fully fix it. This guide covers what works, what to avoid, and how to prepare.
Choose solid, mid-to-dark colours
Solid colours keep attention on your face. Mid-to-dark tones — navy, charcoal, deep green, burgundy — photograph cleanly and read as professional across almost every industry.
Avoid bright white directly against the skin and very busy patterns. Tight stripes and small checks can create a distracting shimmer in photographs.
Dress one notch above your day-to-day
A headshot should look like you on a good day. If your workplace is business casual, a blazer lifts the image without looking costumed. If your industry is formal, a suit and a considered tie or blouse is the safe choice.
Bring options
Most packages allow more than one outfit change. Bring a couple of options in different tones so you can compare results on the day rather than committing in advance.
Mind the details
- Iron or steam your clothes — creases are obvious in a sharp photo
- Make sure collars sit flat and jackets fit at the shoulder
- Keep jewellery simple so it does not pull focus
- Get a haircut about a week before, not the day before
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