I get a lot of questions from women about what they should wear in their corporate headshot. There are definitely some guidelines for looking professional but also some tips for selecting an outfit that will make ladies look slimmer photos (which is probably what all women really want).

Below are the best guidelines for preparing and selecting what to wear for your corporate headshot if you’re a woman, things you should be aware of, and how to put an outfit together for best results..

Fit

It’s important to make sure your top or blouse fits you well and isn’t too loose for the most flattering look. This is especially important for white button-down shirts, which tend to look bigger in photos in general.

Your outfit should fit you well, so make sure to try things on beforehand. An oversized jacket or baggy blouse won’t be the most flattering in a photo, even if it feel really comfortable wearing them in real life. The camera can’t tell what’s your body and what’s fabric, so the goal is to reduce bulk for a slimmer silhouette.

Color

Basing your outfit on a neutral or solid color will ensure you don’t overwhelm the image. Think white, cream, black, or navy blue. However, feel free to wear your favorite color if it looks great with your skin-tone and is something you often wear day to day.

Layering is also great for adding interest to your headshots, but if you’re going to do it, make sure your color combinations work well together.

Clothing Wrinkles

Press, dry clean, or iron the clothing you’re going to wear to make sure your jacket and shirt won’t have any wrinkles. If you have any concerns about driving or traveling, bring your suit jacket on a hanger and put it on right before your headshot.

Undergarments

Whatever you decide to wear, make sure that your bra is not visible. Check for straps and any bumps that the fabric might create under your top. And since you will be taking photos in Studio lighting, make sure that your top won’t be transparent in bright light or with a flash. The other thing to consider wearing is some shape-wear to keep everything in order when wearing a dress.

Patterns and Stripes

While patterns and stripes might look great day to day, for headshots you definitely want to stick to solid colors and non-distracting fabrics with small patterns. The key here is to keep things tidy and simple so that the attention is on your face, not on what you’re wearing.

Loud patterns, logos, and big jewelry will all take the focus off your face, which is why it’s best to stick to simple color tops and blouses and toned-down accessories. It’s also best not to wear tops that are too low cut or revealing.

sleeve length

Long and 3/4 sleeves are the better option for headshots. Short cap sleeves will make your shoulder look wider because of the visual effect they have in camera. If you have great arm muscle definition, feel free to opt for sleeveless as well.

The best corporate headshot outfits for Women?

The classic look for business headshots: you can’t go wrong with a black or navy blazer. Make sure you choose a well-fitting blazer that accentuates your body shape, as this will be the key item to this look. Styling the blazer with matching trousers and a neutral blouse brings this outfit together, or you can wear it over a sheath dress (more on that below).

And probably the easiest business headshot outfit is a simple sheath dress. Choose a neutral color like navy, gray, or black and add accessories like a stylish watch, earrings, or a necklace. For sleeve length, I recommend 3/4 sleeves, full sleeve, or sleeveless as they will be the most flattering for arms. You can also add a contrasting skinny belt to accentuate the waist if that works for your body shape.

And if you’ve been thinking about getting an updated headshot and are in the Fairfield County, Connecticut area, you can find out more information about the Studio Headshot Sessions for individuals and on-site Team/Company Headshots by clicking below.

All headshot clients are also provided with a 30+ page “What to Wear” Style Guide PDF when they book their session that goes over how to prepare, what to wear, and shows examples of different outfits to consider. Paired with posing guidance, professional lighting, and natural-looking retouching, you are guaranteed to have the best headshot at the end of the process!