Independent photography guide — not affiliated with Nikon or Carson Kressley.

Look Good in Pictures

▸ 05AGuide · wardrobe

What to wear in photos

The camera notices clothes differently than people do. Solid, medium-to-deep colors, a good fit and nothing that shouts — here’s why.

University communications offices and career centers that photograph hundreds of people a year publish remarkably consistent wardrobe advice. This page pulls it together, with the reasoning where the sources give it. It applies to headshots, family portraits, event photos and anything in between.

Color: solid, medium-to-deep

Choice What the sources say
Solid colors Plain, single-color outfits work best (University of Memphis); solids keep attention on the face (Florida Atlantic University)
Medium and deeper shades Mid-range to deeper tones photograph well (FAU, Memphis)
Jewel tones, soft pastels Recommended for shoots by the University of Florida IFAS guide
Bright, solid colors Photograph well, according to the University of Pittsburgh’s guide
All-white or very light outfits Can wash out (FAU); large areas of light color pull attention from the face (Memphis)
Solid black on its own Can lose detail on camera; fine under a jacket or sweater (FAU, Memphis)
Neon, fluorescent, bright white, yellow, red, orange Listed as colors to avoid by UF IFAS
All-black or all-white outfits Avoid, per Pitt

The sources differ slightly — Pitt likes bright solids while UF IFAS warns off bright reds and yellows — but they agree on the core: one solid color, not too light, not pure black alone. A tip Nikon credited to Carson Kressley in a 2009 release says dark clothing is slimming and that adding color near the face helps; a dark jacket over a colored top does both.

Patterns: why tight stripes shimmer

Fine, regular patterns — tight stripes, small checks, houndstooth — can produce moiré, false bands or ripples that appear when the pattern clashes with the grid of a camera’s sensor or a screen. Wikipedia’s article on the moiré pattern notes that houndstooth jackets often cause it on television, which is why newscasters are advised to avoid them. The UF IFAS guide warns that tight stripes and loud prints can cause moiré and make you look wider; Pitt’s guide lists bold patterns, tight stripes and checks among things to avoid.

What works instead:

  • Patterns as small accents — the UF IFAS example is a patterned tie.
  • Texture rather than print — Pitt suggests adding interest with textures and layers.

Fit and comfort

Do Don’t
Well-fitted clothes that don’t wrinkle or gap at the neck or arms (UF IFAS) Baggy clothes (UF IFAS)
Comfortable, relaxed clothing so you look at ease (Pitt) Tight, clingy or revealing outfits (Pitt)
Layers — a scarf or sports coat — for interest (Pitt) Turtlenecks, low necklines, sleeveless tops, workout clothes (UF IFAS)
Undergarments that stay hidden (UF IFAS) Clothes you have to keep adjusting

Nikon’s “Take Better Portraits” guide adds the photographer’s view: solid colors don’t compete with the face, while bright patterns draw the eye away from the subject.

Logos, words and jerseys

Pitt’s guide says to avoid large text, visible logos, sports jerseys and company brands unless you’re representing that organization, because they pull attention from the photo; UF IFAS asks for no visible words or prominent logos.

Accessories and pockets

  • Jewelry: skip large or distracting pieces such as dangling earrings or bulky necklaces (Pitt); minimize distracting accessories (Memphis).
  • Sunglasses and name tags: remove them — they can reflect light (UF IFAS).
  • Pockets: empty phones, wallets and keys for a neater line (UF IFAS).

Hair and makeup

Pitt’s guide recommends keeping hair and makeup fairly natural so they frame the face, and avoiding heavy makeup. It also warns not to count on the photographer having time to retouch — so fix stray hairs and collars before the shot, not after.

Matching a group

For family or team photos, apply the same rules to everyone. A shared palette of solid mid-tones avoids one bright white shirt or busy print pulling the eye. See group photo tips.

Quick wardrobe checklist

  1. One solid color, medium or deep.
  2. No tight stripes, small checks or houndstooth.
  3. No big logos or words.
  4. Fitted, unwrinkled, nothing gapping.
  5. Jacket or sweater if you love black.
  6. Small jewelry; sunglasses and name tag off; pockets empty.

Pair this with the poses in how to pose for photos and the steps in the headshot checklist.

Sources

Reviewed October 14, 2026