Figuring out what to wear for male headshots can feel daunting—especially if fashion isn’t your strong suit. I’ve been there. I used to brush it off too, until I saw how much sharper and more confident I looked with the right outfit. In this post, I’ll share my 9 best tips to help you dress better and walk away with stronger headshots.
Key Takeaways
- Layering is crucial. A well-fitted jacket instantly sharpens your look and adds visual structure—build your outfit around this idea.
- Avoid cheap suits. Steer clear of synthetic fabrics like rayon or nylon—they photograph poorly and make your outfit look cheap.
- High-end suits use natural fibers. Look for wool, cashmere, silk, or mohair. Brands like Tom Ford, Brioni, and Canali are benchmarks of quality.
- Stick to timeless jacket colors. Navy, charcoal, and gray are universally flattering, easy to match, and age well in photos.
- Spread collars are your safest shirt option. They flatter most face shapes and pair easily with or without a tie.
- Start with solid shirt colors. White and light blue work with nearly any jacket color and keep the focus on your face.
- Buy quality shirts. Choose natural fabrics like 100% cotton. Avoid anything labeled “no-iron” or “moisture-wicking”—they usually have a shiny, synthetic look on camera.
- Watch the shirt construction. Skip plastic buttons and generic sizing. Go for proper neck/sleeve measurements and better construction from brands like Eton or Charles Tyrwhitt.
- Choose ties wisely. Solid colors or light patterns in red, blue, or purple easiest tow work with. For style points, match your tie to your jacket and add a splash (10–20%) of an accent color.
- Dress for your industry. Only wear a tie if you’d wear one to a client meeting or interview—authenticity matters more than overdressing.
Layering is 80% Of Looking Better
If you want to look your best in headshots, layering is key. Even with a casual style, throw on a jacket and skip the tie. A well-fitted jacket creates that sharp V-shape and instantly elevates your look. Start with the jacket and build the outfit around it. It’s the hardest piece to get right—and probably the one you have the fewest options for. Make it the centerpiece, and everything else will come together.
How To Spot Cheap Suits
When it comes to deciding what to wear for male headshots, the jacket is key. You’re going to want to steer away from any synthetic materials like rayon or nylon. They may be cheaper, but they’ll also make you look cheap in your photos. Once you’ve seen both you can’t un-see bad suits everywhere.
How to Spot a High-End Suit
Stick to suits made with natural materials like wool and cashmere, silk, mohair, and alpaca. Check the label, make sure it’s 100% natural materials. If you want go the extra mile, look for a thread count of “super 100” or higher. That’s a sign of a higher quality fabric. Should you really want to impress those with a discerning eye, go for a suit from one of the big dogs like:
- Brioni: The ultimate in hand-finished Italian tailoring—impossibly smooth, famously expensive.
- Canali: Timeless and refined, with sharp cuts and soft fabrics that flatter almost everyone.
- Kiton: Obsessively hand-made in Naples using rare, luxurious fabrics. Style insiders notice.
- Oxxford Clothes: American-made with old-world craftsmanship—quiet power dressing.
- Ralph Lauren (Purple Label): Ralph’s top-tier line—modern elegance meets heritage style.
- Tom Ford: Bold, sculpted silhouettes with a cinematic edge. This is the suit Daniel Craig wore as James Bond.
- Zenga Couture: High-fashion meets high-function—sleek, structured, and unapologetically luxe.
If you’re on a budget, check out thrift stores or browse sites like Ebay and Poshmark. You can often score quality pieces for a tenth of the retail price. The tradeoff? It takes patience to hunt down items that fit well and match your style—but it’s worth it when you find the right ones. If your short on time or are on a tight budget, my favorite off the rack option is Bananna Republic.
The Best Jacket Colors for Headshots
Colors matter—a lot. The right ones can elevate your headshot, while the wrong ones can distract or clash. Grays, charcoals, navy blues, earthy greens, and browns are safe bets. They work well with most backgrounds and look great on camera.
Black is trendy—thanks, John Wick—but even he breaks it up with (most of the time) with charcoal elements to break it up. All-black can fall flat in photos, and wear as well as other colors. Just think about how a black T-shirt looks after a few washes.
For maximum versatility, go with a navy or charcoal jacket. These colors pair easily with different shirts and ties, and they age well. Not into fashion? Stick with what works. Ever notice how the President of the United States almost always wears navy? There’s a reason. It’s timeless, flattering, and effortlessly adaptable for different looks—all with the same jacket.
Shirt Collar Styles That Look Best For Male Headshots
The shirt you choose to pair with your jacket, is the second most important choice you’ll make. Honestly, most guys reading this will be finished assembling their outfit if you just get the jacket and shirt paring right.
When it comes to collars, a spread collar is the safest bet. Wide collars are in style right now, while narrow collars still pop up in more vintage-inspired looks. If fashion isn’t your thing, stick with a standard or wide spread collar—they’re easy choices that always work.
That said, if you prefer a different classic collar style, go for it. As long as it suits your look and fits the overall vibe, it can absolutely work in the right context.
Shirt Color Basics For Headshots
Choosing a shirt color to pair with your jacket can feel like the hardest part of putting together an outfit for most guys. To keep things simple, solid colors are the easiest to match. Stripes and other patterns can look great too—if you know what you’re doing. But if you’re reading this post, I recommend keeping it simple: go with a solid white or light blue shirt. These pair well with gray, charcoal, blue, and navy jackets and give you the most flexibility.
Now, if you’re an entrepreneur and want to stand out, darker colors and patterns can absolutely look great. But if you work in a corporate setting, it’s safest to stick with the classics like white or light blue. I recommend you keep it simple and professional for your main look and then you want to bring some extra shirts to try out bolder options, we can do that once we’ve nailed the safe look. This is the best way to experiment—just in case the bolder don’t work out.
Shirt Tips: Fit, Fabric, And What to Avoid
Department store brands like Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, and J. Ferrar, etc. might be cheap, but they’re also cheap looking. Most budget shirts are made from inferior synthetic fabrics and use plastic buttons to keep costs down. Natural fabrics always photograph better—they don’t have that weird plastic shine you’ll see in moisture-wicking or “no iron” materials, even from so-called “premium” brands.
Another issue: the collar construction on affordable shirts usually pales in comparison to higher-end brands. Unless you’re on a tight budget, it’s worth spending more on better quality shirts. Most people don’t consciously think about these details, but even laymen can immediately spot the difference—even if they don’t know exactly why. To keep things simple, stick to these rules when choosing a shirt:
- Only buy shirts made from 100% natural fibers like cotton.
- Choose shirts with actual neck and sleeve measurements. Avoid generic sizes like “medium” or “large.”
- Skip anything with synthetic blends—even if it’s labeled “moisture-wicking” or “no iron,” and even if it’s from a premium brand.
- Avoid shirts with plastic buttons in favor of shirts with buttons made from mother of pearl or horn.
Quality Shirt Brands To Get You Started
The following are excellent quality shirt brands to get you started. All use high-quality natural fabrics, proper neck and sleeve sizing, and premium buttons—typically mother of pearl or horn.
- Charles Tyrwhitt: Great value entry point. 100% cotton, solid construction, wide fit options, and a generous return policy make this a smart first upgrade.
- Eton: Precision craftsmanship, wrinkle resistance, and refined European cotton. These are my personal favorite shirts for headshots and daily wear.
- Indochino: Fully custom 100% cotton shirts made to your measurements at a mid-range price. Great for getting a perfect fit without breaking the bank.
- Ledbury: American-made luxury with European fabrics. Tailored fits, mother-of-pearl buttons, and a modern Southern touch.
- Turnbull & Asser: A British icon worn by royalty and Bond. Premium fabrics, classic collars, and timeless design.
- Thomas Pink: Known for bold yet elegant British style. Modern details paired with classic cuts and natural fabrics.
- Brioni: Quiet luxury. Hand-tailored in Italy using premium cotton and linen. Understated but elite.
- Kiton: Italian shirts handmade from rare fabrics. If you want to impress connoisseurs, this is the brand—but expect eye-watering prices.
- Ermenegildo Zegna: Sleek, soft, and modern Italian tailoring. A flex brand for those who know—and priced accordingly.
How To Select The Perfect Color Tie For Your Headshot
Once you’ve got the jacket and shirt picked out, you can choose a tie to finish off the outfit. Again, solid colors or light patterns are your safest bet if you’re ambivalent about fashion. Reds, blues, and purples are timeless and work well with the shirt and jacket combos I mentioned earlier.
That said, pattern ties can also look sharp and elevate your overall look. One easy trick: pick a tie that mostly matches your jacket but has a subtle pop of accent color. Keeping the jacket and tie in a similar color family ties the outfit together. That little splash of contrast adds just the right amount of style.
Once you spot this trick, you’ll start seeing it everywhere—especially in movies with powerful, well-dressed characters. Most style-ignorant guys pick up on the look subconsciously, without knowing why it works. The key is a subtle splash of bold color—just 10 to 20%. Anything more can overpower your headshot and pull focus from your face, where the attention should be.
Shoe Tips For Full Length Portraits
Shoes don’t matter for headshots because your feet will be cropped out of the photos. Shoes really matter though for full-length portraits. Here’s a few tips on shoes that will polish your overall look.
- Stick with leather. Choose polished aniline leather or shell cordovan shoes. They photograph better, hold structure, and add a polished, feel to your outfit.
- Go with timeless styles. Cap-toe Oxfords are your safest, most formal choice—perfect for headshots or business portraits. Wing tips or anything else with broguing work really well for a stylish casual look.
- Match shoes to your outfit’s tone:
- Black shoes pair best with navy, charcoal, or black pants—clean and formal.
- Brown shoes offer flexibility and pair well with blue, gray, or charcoal pants, depending on your taste.
- Condition matters. Clean and polish your shoes. Scuffed or dull shoes will diminishes an otherwise great outfit.
- Match your belt to your shoes. Be careful with brown, there’s a lot of different shades and a mismatched belt and shoe will stand out like a sore thumb.
Quality Shoe Brands To Get You Started
Now that you know what to look for, here are some quality men’s dress shoes brands I like to help get you started.
- John Lobb: This British luxury brand is known for their hand-made shoes made from premium leathers. They are known for their impeccable craftsmanship, attention to detail, and timeless designs.
- Allen Edmonds: This American brand is known for their high-quality shoes made from premium leathers. They are known for their timeless designs, excellent craftsmanship and comfort. If you like the style these are the best value option in my opinion.
- Crockett & Jones: This British luxury brand is known for their Goodyear welted shoes made from premium leathers. They are known for their timeless designs and excellent craftsmanship.
- Ferragamo: Salvatore Ferragamo is an Italian luxury brand known for their high-quality leather shoes. They are a popular choice among men looking for formal shoes.
- Winthrop: These are the only shoes on the list you can’t rebuild. Once they wear out, they’re done. Still, the leather uppers are very good quality, and they’re easily the most affordable option if you’re on a tight budget.
Men’s Headshot Attire FAQ
Choosing what to wear for male headshots doesn’t have to be complicated—but some details do trip some guys up. The FAQ below answers the most common questions I get asked before a shoot.
Should I Wear A Tie For My Headshot?
It depends on your industry. Out here on the West Coast or in tech, most skip the tie for a polished business casual look. Certain roles—like lawyers, managers, or finance pros—tend to wear them. I’ve also noticed ties are more common among East Coast professionals. The general rule: would you wear one to an interview or client meeting? If yes, wear it in your headshot. If you don’t usually wear one to work, skip it. A no-tie look will feel more authentic when people meet you in real life.
What Should I Wear For Headshots As a Male?
Layering + timeless colors = 80% of looking great in your headshot. Start with a well-fitted jacket—navy, charcoal, or gray are the easiest colors to work with. They flatter most skin tones, compliment nearly any background, and photograph well. Pair it with a solid white or light blue shirt in 100% cotton. Avoid synthetic blends, shiny finishes, plastic buttons, or anything labeled “no iron.”
Make sure to choose a shirt with a spread collar—it’s the most timeless style and the easiest to work with. If you’re wearing a tie, pick one in the same color family as your jacket. If you want to add some flair, go with a tie that includes a small pop of accent color—around 10%—to finish the look without pulling too much attention away from your face.
What is the Best Color to Wear For A Men’s Headshot?
For your jacket, the best colors are navy, charcoal, or gray. These shades flatter most skin tones, work with nearly any background, and consistently photograph well. Pair the jacket with a solid white or light blue shirt for a clean, timeless look that keeps the attention on your face.
Black can work, but it tends to feel more formal and is more commonly associated with weddings, funerals, or evening events. For professional headshots, navy, charcoal, and gray are usually the better choice—they’re versatile, less harsh on camera, and easier to style across industries.
Still Unsure What to Wear for Male Headshots? I’m Here To Help!
Choosing what to wear for male headshots, isn’t hard so long as you stick to the simple rules outlined in this post. f you’re not into fashion but still want to look your best, just keep things simple and follow the recommendations in this post. You don’t need anything flashy—just nail the fundamentals like layering and choosing timeless colors that pair easily. Those two things alone are enough for most guys to walk away with an above-average headshot.
If you’re looking for a Sonoma County headshot photographer and still feel unsure about what to wear for your men’s headshot, you can contact me here and I’d be happy to walk you through it.
