What to wear for professional headshots: A complete style guide

Your professional headshot is your first handshake with the world — it appears on LinkedIn, your company website, press features, speaking bios, and email signatures. What you wear in that photo sends a message before you've said a single word. This is a complete guide to choosing the right outfit for your headshot session.

The good news: you don't need an expensive wardrobe or a personal stylist. You need a few smart choices, made in advance. Every tip in this guide is based on real experience working with professionals across Cambridge, London and the wider UK — from academics and lawyers to tech founders and creative directors.

Colours That Photograph Well

Not all colours perform equally in photographs, and what looks great in person can behave very differently under studio or natural light. The most important consideration is how a colour interacts with your skin tone and the background behind you.

Best colours for headshots

• ◆Deep navy: One of the most universally flattering colours for headshots. Works on virtually every skin tone, looks authoritative, and photographs crisply without competing with your face.
• ◆Charcoal grey: Professional, modern, and versatile. Particularly effective for corporate and legal professionals. Slightly softer than black.
• ◆Rich jewel tones: Deep teal, forest green, burgundy, royal blue — these colours are striking and distinctive. They look confident and memorable in headshots without being distracting.
• ◆Warm neutrals: Camel, stone, warm beige — these are approachable and work beautifully with lighter backgrounds. Great for coaches, consultants, and anyone in people-focused roles.
• ◆Classic white or pale blue: For shirts worn under a jacket or blazer. Crisp white is a staple, but a very pale blue can be slightly more flattering under photographic light.

Colours to approach with caution

• Bright red: Vibrant and eye-catching, but can overwhelm the face in close-up shots. Deeper reds (burgundy, wine) tend to be safer.
• Bright orange or yellow: These can cast a warm colour onto your skin and read as garish on screen. Opt for muted, earthy versions (burnt orange, mustard) if you love warm tones.
• Stark white worn directly against skin: Can create overexposure problems especially if your background is also pale. Better as a shirt beneath a darker layer.
• Very pale pastels: Can look washed out depending on your skin tone and background. They work best in natural light portrait sessions, less reliably in headshots.

Fabrics and Fit

Fit matters enormously in headshots. Because the camera is close, any pulling, bunching, or poor tailoring is immediately visible. Your outfit should fit as though it was made for you — not too tight, not too loose.

• ◆Well-fitted over baggy: Even a slightly oversized jacket can read as unprofessional or dishevelled in a close-up photo. If you're between sizes, go slightly smaller and ensure it sits well on your shoulders.
• ◆Structured fabrics photograph best: Wool, tweed, suiting fabric, cotton poplin, ponte — these hold their shape well and look crisp in photos. Avoid anything too fluid or clingy unless it's part of your intentional style.
• ◆Avoid heavy texture in close-up: Thick cable-knit, bold tweed, and very textured fabrics can become distracting when photographed close-up. Subtle texture is fine; dominant texture competes with your face.
• ◆Avoid synthetic fabrics that reflect light: Certain polyesters and satins can look shiny or plasticky under photographic light. Matte fabrics are generally safer.

Necklines and Collar Choices

The neckline of your outfit is particularly important in headshots because it frames your face and affects how much negative space exists between your collar and chin. As a general principle, V-necks and open collars tend to be more flattering than high, closed necklines — they elongate the neck and draw the eye upward.

Headshot Outfit Guide: Women

Women typically have more flexibility in headshot attire, which also means more decisions to navigate. The goal is always the same: the eye should go to your face, and your outfit should communicate confidence and professionalism within your industry context.

What works well

• Blazer or structured jacket: The most reliably flattering choice. A well-fitted blazer immediately reads as professional. It works over a simple top, a blouse, or even a turtleneck.
• Block-colour blouse or silk-look top: Clean, elegant, and easy to photograph. A good blouse in a jewel tone or deep neutral is a headshot staple.
• Wrap neckline or V-neck top: Very flattering for most body types. Creates a clean diagonal line that draws the eye upward.
• Simple dress with defined neckline: Clean, professional, and photogenic. Avoid very busy prints or tiered fabrics that might look excessive in close crop.
• Statement earrings (moderate size): A single pair of well-chosen earrings can add personality and visual interest without distracting. Avoid anything so large they extend beyond the frame, or anything that jangles visibly.

Jewellery guidance

Less is almost always more for headshots. A delicate necklace, simple stud earrings, and one ring is often the most effective combination. Heavy, dramatic jewellery can dominate the image unless you specifically want your style to be part of your professional identity.

Hair and make-up

Natural, well-groomed hair works best. If you usually wear your hair down, bring the option to wear it up — half-up looks are often very flattering in headshots. For make-up: aim for slightly more than your everyday look, as cameras can flatten and mute natural features. Strong brows, defined eyelashes, and a matte base tend to photograph beautifully. Avoid very glossy lip products that can produce unwanted shine.

Headshot Outfit Guide: Men

Men's headshot attire is simpler in terms of options but still requires thought. The two most important principles are: wear what actually fits your profession, and iron everything meticulously.

• ◆Suit or blazer: The safe, reliable choice for corporate, legal, financial, and formal professional contexts. A dark navy or charcoal suit reads as authoritative and trustworthy. Ensure it's freshly pressed and fits well through the shoulders.
• ◆Blazer without tie (smart casual): By far the most versatile option. A well-fitted blazer over a quality shirt works across industries — from law firms to tech startups to university departments. The open collar reads as intelligent but approachable.
• ◆Shirt only (no jacket): Fine for industries where suits would feel out of place — tech, creative, education. Choose a quality fabric shirt (Oxford cloth, poplin) in a solid colour. Roll sleeves strategically if desired for a more relaxed look.
• ◆Smart jumper / fine knit: A well-fitted merino or lambswool jumper in a solid colour is an excellent choice for academics, writers, consultants, and creative professionals. It photographs cleanly and looks polished without formality.

What to Avoid in Headshots

Bringing Multiple Outfits

One of the best investments you can make for a headshot session is arriving with two or three outfit options. This lets you choose the most flattering under actual photographic conditions, and gives you variety across different uses — a formal headshot for legal documents, a warmer portrait for a creative bio, a smart-casual look for social media.

A suggested 3-outfit strategy:

Grooming and Day-of Preparation

• Haircut: If you typically have short hair, book a cut 3–5 days before the session (not the day before — haircuts often look best after a day or two of settling).
• Facial hair: Beards and stubble should be freshly groomed the morning of the session. Even a “lived-in” beard benefits from a clean edge on the neckline.
• Skin prep: Moisturise the face the morning of. Any dry patches or redness will be visible. If you have consistent concerns, a light matte foundation or tinted moisturiser can help (this is entirely normal — even on men).
• Glasses: If you wear glasses daily, wear them for at least some of your headshot. Anti-reflective lenses are significantly easier to photograph — if yours have strong reflections, bring a glasses-free option as well.
• Get a good night's sleep: More visible in a headshot than almost anything else.

Industry-Specific Headshot Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Feel free to get in touch — I'm always happy to advise on outfits before your session. See also: LinkedIn headshot tips and corporate headshot guide.