What to wear?

What to Wear for Headshots Without Looking Like a Floating Torso (or a Couch)

A practical guide to dressing for the lens

What Not to Wear — Because the Camera Is Not Always Your Friend

Let’s be real: the camera sees things differently than the mirror does. What feels cute IRL can look chaotic, cropped, or just… confusing when it’s squished into a headshot. So before you reach for your favourite outfit, here’s what to leave in the closet:

🚫 Bulky Layers

You might love your cozy knit or oversized cardigan, but the camera sees… marshmallow. Bulky clothes puff up your silhouette and swallow your neck, making you look more like a sentient throw blanket than a professional human.

🚫 Sleeveless & Spaghetti Straps

Unless your shoulders are co-starring in the shoot, keep them covered. Bare arms in a tight crop can make you look oddly undressed.

🚫 Necklines That Wander Offscreen

If your neckline disappears out of frame (looking at you, deep scoop), your headshot starts to feel like a floating head. Stick with necklines that frame your face, not confuse your editor.

🚫 Patterns That Scream for Attention

Stripes, houndstooth, logos, and tiny polka dots may look snazzy in real life — but compressed images (hello, LinkedIn) turn them into optical chaos. Think of them as visual static. Clean, calm solids are your friend.

🚫 Pure Black or White

Sure, black is chic and white is classic — but on camera, black eats light (and your shape), while white glows like a dentist’s lamp. Try richer neutrals like charcoal, ivory, navy, olive, or dusty jewel tones instead. Trust us. Your pixels will thank you.

What to Actually Wear – The Camera-Loving Closet Cheat Sheet

Headshots are all about you, not your outfit. The right clothes complement your face, add structure, and whisper “trust me, I’m fantastic” without shouting it.

Top 5 Things That Always Look Great on Camera:

1. Solid Mid-Tone Colors Forest green, deep plum, rust, soft teal — they flatter most skin tones and won’t battle your face for attention.
   

2. Structured Tops with Sleeves Tailored pieces with short or ¾ sleeves give your shoulders shape without looking stiff. Bonus: sleeves also keep things looking polished .

3. Layered Basics A well-fitted blazer or cardigan adds dimension without swallowing your neck.
   

4. Textured (Not Busy) Fabrics Think ribbed cotton, lightweight wool, or matte silk. These add interest without turning your top into a Magic Eye poster.
   

5. Classic Button-Down Shirts Always a winner. Just make sure it’s fitted (not boxy) and the collar sits neatly. No flying lapels, please.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

Flattering Your Features — Color, Necklines & Sleeves That Love the Camera

Now that we’ve banished the busy prints and bulky knits, let’s talk about how to choose colors and shapes that play nice with your natural features.

Color Magic: Match Your Tone, Not Your Wallpaper

Here’s a cheat sheet of flattering shades based on your skin tone and hair colour combo. Not all of us have time to get our “colours done” by a stylist in Milan — so let this guide be your shortcut to looking effortlessly radiant.

Skin Tone	Hair Color	Try These Flattering Shades
Fair (cool)	Blonde, Ash Brown	Icy blue, lavender, cool greys, rose pink, periwinkle
Fair (warm)	Red, Golden Blonde	Coral, peach, olive, warm taupe, terracotta
Medium (neutral)	Dark Blonde, Brown	Teal, mustard, dusty pink, eggplant, cobalt blue
Medium (warm)	Auburn, Golden Brown	Burnt orange, rust, tan, olive, muted red
Olive / Tan	Dark Brown, Black	Jade, burgundy, plum, soft white, mustard
Deep (cool)	Black, Dark Brown	Emerald, cranberry, sapphire, charcoal, royal purple
Deep (warm)	Chestnut, Brown	Copper, gold, forest green, rust, warm navy

Pro tip: Not sure what works? Hold the shirt near your face in natural light. If your skin glows and your eyes pop — you’ve found your winner.

Necklines: Frame It Like a Masterpiece

Your neckline should guide the eye to your face, not wander off like a plotless movie. These are your go-tos:

Neckline	Why It Works
Crew Neck	Timeless and clean — puts the spotlight on you
Shallow Scoop	Softens the neckline without diving into cleavage
V-Neck (modest)	Slims and lengthens the neck without stealing focus
Boat Neck	Broadens the shoulders slightly — elegant and refined
Mock Neck	Adds sophistication without turtleneck suffocation
Classic Collar	Structured, sharp, and confidence-boosting

Sleeve Realness: A Case for Coverage

No one wants to look like they’ve lost an arm to the crop tool. Sleeves help keep things balanced — and elegant:

Sleeve Type	Why It Wins
Short Sleeves	Polished, flattering, especially in tailored tops
¾ Sleeves	Universally flattering and adds a bit of drama
Long Sleeves	Professional and tidy — works well for business shots
Cap Sleeves (fitted)	Only if they hug the shoulder — no fluttery bits

Final Thoughts: Dress Like the Best Version of You

Ultimately, your headshot is about capturing your essence, not your wardrobe. Think of your outfit as the best supporting actor — helpful, subtle, and never stealing the scene.

Keep it clean, structured, and flattering. Wear colours that love your complexion. And when in doubt? Choose something that makes you feel confident, not fussy.

Lights, camera, compliments.

Alicia's Story:

Actor Alicia came to her session looking to build a strong, versatile portfolio of headshots for her Spotlight page and agent’s website.

She arrived perfectly prepped — bringing a well-curated wardrobe in a range of colours, textures, and necklines. This allowed us to create multiple distinct looks, each with its own mood and casting type in mind. With subtle changes in styling and background, we were able to capture everything from confident lead roles to warm, approachable characters.

💙 Teal Scoop-Neck – Poised & Striking

Teal is a universally flattering colour that pops on camera without overwhelming. The scoop neckline subtly reveals the collarbone, adding elegance and openness. Combined with a white background, this look is clean, modern, and confident — a go-to shot for casting agents looking for an intelligent, grounded presence.

❤️ Red V-Neck with Cap Sleeves – Playful & Expressive

Red brings energy — and in this case, suits Alicia’s vibrant personality perfectly. The cap sleeves keep the bold colour in check, while the V-neck flatters without plunging. Paired with Alicia’s cheeky smile, this image gives off a bright, fun energy — ideal for roles with charm, wit, or youthful spark.

🖤 Black Lace Detail – Elegant & Grounded

Wearing black in headshots can be tricky, but Alicia nailed it. The lace panel adds depth and prevents the outfit from looking flat or too heavy on camera. The high neckline is softened by the texture, drawing attention to Alicia’s calm, composed expression — a timeless, professional shot with poise.

🤎 Brown Long Sleeve with Brick Backdrop – Warm & Approachable

This soft brown top harmonizes beautifully with Alicia’s skin tone and the rustic brick wall behind her. The long sleeves allow for a more dynamic pose, subtly including a hand in the frame. The overall tone is warm, earthy, and confident — suggesting trust, maturity, and groundedness.

💠 Pale Blue Puff Sleeve – Fresh & Open

Shot outdoors in bright natural light, this look captures airiness and lightness. The pale blue reflects the sky, enhancing the relaxed, sunlit mood. The slight puff at the shoulder adds shape and structure to the frame, bringing a touch of romantic softness while keeping Alicia looking fresh, open, and castable in contemporary roles.