Figuring out what to wear for your headshots isn’t hard, but as a professional photographer, I’ve learned some basic tricks that help everyone get better photos.
There are also some common mistakes women tend to make when planning for their headshots that quietly sabotage their photos, so this post I will also identify those so you can avoid them, and get better headshots.
Key Takeaways
- Layering adds visual structure and polish for a professional look, start your outfit with a jacket or structured top, and build your outfit around it.
- Cheap blazers often use synthetic fabrics and poor construction which you can see in your headshots. Avoid them in favor of natural fabrics.
- The right fabric choices matter just as much as color when deciding what to wear for female headshots. High-end jackets are made from wool, cotton, linen, or moleskin—look for “96% wool / 4% elastane” as a minimum with a preference of 100% natural materials whenever possible.
- Navy, charcoal, gray, and blue are the safest blazer colors that flatter most skin tones and work with any background.
- Stick with high necklines that don’t fall more than an inch below the collarbone. Avoid wide or deep cuts.
- Choose shirts made from 100% natural fabrics like cotton or silk, avoid “moisture-wicking,” “no-iron,” or synthetic blends.
- Use jewelry sparingly. Earrings and short necklaces are fine, just don’t let them steal focus from your face or drop low into your neck line.
- When in doubt about what to wear for female headshots, stick with a blazer, collared long sleeve shirt, natural fabrics, and minimal jewelry.
Layer Up To Level Up Your Headshot
If you want to look more professional in executive or corporate settings, start with a blazer or structured jacket. Even for casual looks, jackets add depth to your outfit, give your body shape, and direct the eye up to your face.
Since blazers are usually the hardest piece to find, start by choosing one you love, and then find a shirt that complements it. Building an outfit the other way around can be frustrating, especially for women, because jackets are just harder to find.
How To Spot Cheap Blazers
When deciding what to wear for female headshots, the blazer anchors the entire look. Aim for one made from 100% natural materials as synthetic fabrics like rayon or nylon tend to reflect studio lighting, giving off a shiny, plastic look that doesn’t photograph well.
Instead, choose a blazer made of wool, cashmere, silk, mohair, linen, or alpaca. Always double-check the label to confirm it’s all-natural.
If you want to go the extra mile, look for a thread count of “super 100” or higher, that’s a hallmark of quality fabric. While 100% natural fibers are ideal, in a pinch you can cheat with a lightly blended option like 96% wool and 4% elastane.
These are common in off-the-rack jackets and might be your best bet if you’re short on time. Here are some decent off-the-rack options to check out if you’re short on time or are on a budget:
The Blazer Choices That Instantly Elevates Your Headshot
If you’ve got the time and budget, nothing beats a bespoke (custom-made for you) jacket and shirt. One huge perk of going custom is that you get to choose every detail.
No more hunting for the perfect style. Just tell your tailor what you want, and they’ll build it for you. If you don’t have a bespoke tailor nearby, the next best option is made-to-measure.
While this option isn’t as good as being fitted by a tailor in person, it’s still usually a much better fit then off the rack options. Here are a few online made-to-measure companies worth checking out if your in person tailoring options are limited:
Made To Measure and Bespoke Suit Brands For Women
- Banshee: is a Savile Row tailor, known for its traditional bespoke suits for men. However, many tailors in Savile Row (like Banshee) also offer bespoke tailoring for women. Although they do trunk shows in New York and Chicago for in person measurements, it’s generally easiest to do a virtual appointment for those of us here on the west coast Of the U.S.
- Henry Poole & Co: Is another Savile Row tailor. This British luxury brand offers bespoke and made-to-measure suits for women, using high-quality fabrics and traditional craftsmanship. They are known for their classic designs and excellent craftsmanship.
- Huntsman: Yet another Savile Row British luxury brand offers bespoke and made-to-measure suits for women, using high-quality fabrics and traditional craftsmanship. They are known for their classic designs and excellent craftsmanship.
- Gieves & Hawkes: Another great tailor located on Savile Row that offers bespoke and made-to-measure suits for women, using high-quality fabrics and traditional craftsmanship. They are known for their classic designs and excellent craftsmanship.
- Bindle & Keep: This New York based brand is known for their bespoke tailoring for women, they use high-quality fabrics and offer a wide range of styles, from classic to modern. They have a team of experienced tailors that will ensure a perfect fit and unique design for their customers.
- Suitkits: This online brand offers made-to-measure suits for women, using high-quality fabrics and traditional craftsmanship. They use a proprietary algorithm to ensure a perfect fit, and offer a wide range of styles, from classic to modern. As a bonus, this tailor offers in person measuring in Los Angeles for those of us who live in California.
- Sumissura: This online brand offers made-to-measure suits for women, using high-quality fabrics and traditional craftsmanship. They have a large selection of fabrics and styles to choose from and are one of the most affordable options on this list.
The Safest Color Choices For Professional Headshots
When picking colors for your headshot outfit, think about your features, skin tone, and the background you’ll be photographed on.
Charcoal, navy, blue, and grey are the most versatile jacket colors. They work well on almost everyone and pair easily with a white or light blue shirt. These combinations also hold up beautifully against nearly any background. Tan, earthy browns, and muted greens can also look great on many women.
I always recommend starting with one outfit in one of these tried-and-true colors before exploring anything bolder. If you want to experiment with less traditional shades, bring them as backup just in case something clashes on camera.
Best Necklines for Female Headshots
Choosing the right shirt is one of the most important decisions you’ll make before your headshot. Since headshots usually frame just your face and shoulders, the neckline plays a big role in how the final image comes across. For both casual and professional looks, keep the neckline no lower than an inch below your collarbone. Avoid anything too wide as showing too much skin near the neck can make you look underdressed due to the tight crop.
Simply put, skip deep plunge necklines. If the bottom of the neckline isn’t visible, it pulls the eye down and away from your face, which defeats the point of a headshot. Stick with long sleeves for the same reason. Even if the neckline is high sleeveless tops draw attention to the shoulders and away from the face, which is exactly what you want to avoid.
Tips About Jewelry & Accessories
A light touch of accessories can enhance your look without stealing the spotlight. If jewelry isn’t your thing, don’t feel pressured to wear any. It’s far more important to get the fundamentals right, like a flattering jacket and a clean, well-fitted shirt as these will make a much bigger impact then jewlery accents.
That said, if you love a touch of jewelry as an accent, by all means, wear it! A good rule of thumb is to keep the visible jewelry to less than 5% of your visible outfit. Too much bling can distract from your face and eyes, which should be the focus of the photo.
Jewelry Can Help Tie Your Outfit Together
If you’re wearing a blue top, for example, earrings or a necklace with blue tones can create a cohesive, pulled-together look. Think about all the colors in your outfit and the color of your background.
For an easy, classic look, a pearl necklace or diamond studs work pretty well with just about everything.
Choosing Jewelry That Compliments Your Skin Tone
A quick way to pick jewelry that flatters you is to consider your skin tone. Silver tends to suit cool undertones, while gold flatters warm ones.
Not sure which undertone you have? Check your veins in natural light. If they appear blue, you likely have cool undertones; green suggests warm.
You can also think about how your skin reacts to sun exposure: if you tan easily and turn golden brown, you probably have warm undertones that pair well with gold. If you burn quickly and turn pink or red with too much sun, you’re likely cool skin tones.
If You Wear Glasses Do This
If you wear glasses, glare from the lenses can kill an otherwise great shot. The fix? Bring a pair without lenses. No lenses means no reflections. This is the best solution.
If you can’t remove the lenses or worried about breaking your good frames? Grab a cheap pair of glasses from somewhere like Zenni before your session. No lenses means better headshots and gives me way more freedom with lighting styles.
Anti-reflective lenses are better than standard ones, but they’re still not ideal. Even the best coatings can catch light. I always recommend lens-free frames first. AR-coated glasses are a distant second, only if there’s no other option.
Whatever you choose wear, make sure the frames fit the style of what you choose to wear. If you want variety, bring a few pairs in different colors. Same rules apply here as they do with jewelry, pick frames that support the overall look without stealing the show.
Shoe Tips For Full Length Portraits
While shoes may not always matter when thinking about what to wear for female headshots, they become essential for full-length portraits. And just like jackets, the materials and construction matter a lot more than the brand name stamped on the insole.
Many high-end fashion brands are surprisingly poorly made. Despite the designer label and steep price (think Louboutin Gucci), you’re often getting thin, coated, or fake leather, glued soles, and synthetic linings that scuff easily and collapse after minimal wear. These shoes are built for style moments, not longevity. If you want your photos to feel polished and have buy something that lasts, skip the trendy logos and focus on craftsmanship. Look for shoes made from:
- Full-grain or top-grain leather: These age beautifully, skip the cheap coatings that crack, hold their shape, and photograph well with that rich, matte sheen synthetics can’t fake.
- Suede: High-quality suede adds texture and depth to your look without reflecting light like cheap synthetics.
- Leather soles with stitched welts: They offer far better durability, comfort, and can be rebuilt and refurbished once they start looking worn.
Quality Shoe Brands To Get You Started
Now that you know what to look for, here are some quality women’s dress shoes brands I like to help get you started.
- Sarah Flint: Designed in NYC, and handcrafted in Italy using full-grain leather with anatomical arch support and steel-reinforced heels. These shoes combine old-world construction with modern comfort.
- M.Gemi: Boutique-quality Italian shoes made with full-grain leather and stitched soles. Timeless silhouettes like the Esatto pump offer style without sacrificing craftsmanship.
- Salvatore Ferragamo: A fashion forward luxury brand that still values substance—made with premium leathers and stitched construction. Their classic Vara and Viva pumps deliver a refined finish to your outfit.
- Frye: One of the oldest American bootmakers, Frye offers heritage-quality leather boots and dress shoes with Goodyear welt construction. While some styles feature rubber soles, most can be resoled by a qualified cobbler—making them a great option if you want rugged, character-rich footwear that looks great on camera.
Renting Vs Buying Clothes For Your Headshots
If you’re after a flawless fit or plan to wear the outfit for work, buying might be worth it. But if you want high-end style for your photo shoot without the full cost, renting can be a smart move. Here’s the pros and cons of each option.
Pros of Renting:
- Costs less than buying (especially for multiple looks)
- You get to try designer labels without commitment
- No need to clean or store after
Cons of Renting:
- Rental period can be short with some companies
- Styles and sizes may be limited
- Clothes may show minor wear
- No option for custom tailoring
Good Places To Rent Clothes For Your Headshots
- Rent the Runway: is a popular service that allows women to rent luxury clothes and designer brands for special occasions or events at a fraction of the retail price.
- Armoire: This service offers a monthly subscription where you can rent a variety of clothing and accessories, including designer brands.
- Style Lend: This service allows you to rent designer clothing and accessories, including both luxury and contemporary brands.
What to Wear For Female Headshots FAQ
Choosing what to wear for female headshots doesn’t have to be complicated—but some details do trip some women up. The FAQ below answers the most common questions I get asked before a shoot.
What Should I Wear For Business Casual Female Headshots
For business casual portraits, some of the best things to wear for female headshots are a structured jacket and a collared shirt. If you don’t typically wear a jacket for work, a well-fitted shirt or blouse can look by itself so long as you stick with conservative necklines such as: turtlenecks, shallow V-necks, or jewel necklines. These are the easiest styles to keep the focus on your face and prevent the viewer’s eye from drifting downward.
Professional headshots should keep jewelry minimal. Aim for it to take up no more than 5% of your visible outfit. If you wear a necklace, make sure it sits above the bottom of your collar bone so it doesn’t get cropped out of the photo. Long or loose jewelry can easily distract or disappear entirely in the tight framing of a headshot.
What Is The Best Color For a Female Headshot?
When it comes to jacket colors, navy, charcoal, and gray are your best bets. These shades are flattering on most skin tones, pair well with almost any backdrop, and always photograph cleanly. Combine them with a solid white or light blue shirt for a classic, polished look that keeps the focus on your face.
While black is an option, it often feels overly formal and is typically associated with events like weddings, funerals, or evening wear. For headshots with a professional tone, navy, charcoal, and gray offer more flexibility, softer contrast on camera, and a look that fits across different fields.
What Are Some Good Female Executive Outfits For Headshots?
For executive headhosts, start with a blazer and then build the rest of your outfit around it as this is the hardest piece to find.
Next, pair your jacket with a shirt of one of the following necklines: collared, jewel, turtleneck, or a shallow V-neck. Stay away from necklines that are too low or wide. The neckline should sit no more than an inch below your collarbone for a professional look. Long sleeves are ideal since bare shoulders can also distract from your face.
After you find a jacket and shirt pairing you like, you can stop here or lightly accessorize with some jewelry.
Is There Anything I Should Avoid Wearing For My Headshot?
Yes, especially when it comes to fabric choice. Avoid synthetic materials at all costs. Fabrics like polyester, rayon (also known as viscose), nylon, spandex (or lycra/elastane), acetate, acrylic, lyocell, microfibre, polypropylene, and PVC tend to reflect studio lighting in awkward, unflattering ways.
Even if they make up just a small part of the garment, these synthetics can create a shiny or plastic look that distracts from your face and lowers the overall quality of your headshot.
Instead, choose clothing made from 100% natural fibers. Wool, cotton, linen, silk, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, and moleskin all photograph cleanly, drape naturally, and won’t bounce light back at the camera.
Aside from fabric, avoid loud patterns, logos, or anything with text.
Skip deep or wide necklines and steer clear of sleeveless tops, which can pull attention away from your face in a tightly framed shot.
Jewelry should also stay minimal, just a sprinkle to complement your look without stealing focus.