What to Wear (and What to Skip)
Wondering what to wear for a business headshot? Start here: wear clothing that makes your face the most important thing in the frame. That usually means darker tones, simple patterns, good fit, and professional choices that support your credibility instead of competing with it.
Your headshot is not about the jacket.
It is not about the necklace.
It is not about the tie.
It is about your face. Your expression. Your authority. Your approachability. The clothing is there to support that.
Whether you need a tailored, fully custom photography experience or simply want to book your headshots online in seconds, Solaris Studios offers both paths. You can explore In-Studio Headshots, On-Location Headshots, or learn how Collaborative Retouching helps Solaris Studios deliver same-day studio headshots.
Table of Contents
- The First Rule of Headshot Wardrobe
- Best Colors for a Business Headshot
- Why Patterns Usually Fail
- Why Fit Matters More Than Price
- What Men Should Wear for a Business Headshot
- What Women Should Wear for a Business Headshot
- Grooming Tips Before Your Session
- Should You Wear Glasses?
- Frequently Asked Questions
A business headshot does more work than most people realize. It introduces you before the meeting. It speaks when you are not in the room. On LinkedIn, on your company website, in proposals, in speaker bios, in press coverage, it is often the first handshake.
That is why wardrobe matters.
Good wardrobe choices make you look more credible. Bad wardrobe choices pull the eye away from your face and toward the thing you never wanted people to focus on in the first place.
My name is Aric Hoek. I am a Houston headshot photographer, and I have spent decades helping professionals look more confident, more polished, and more trustworthy in front of the camera. This page will help you arrive prepared.
The First Rule of What to Wear for a Business Headshot
The darker the clothing, the more professional you usually appear.
That is the simplest rule on this page.
Darker clothing tends to feel more authoritative. It keeps attention on the face. It photographs cleanly. It also tends to slim the body and reduce visual distractions.
That does not mean every headshot should be black or navy.
It means your clothing should support your face, not compete with it.
Best Colors for a Business Headshot
For a traditional business headshot, deep colors tend to win.
- Navy
- Charcoal
- Deep gray
- Muted blue
- Rich earth tones
- Controlled jewel tones
These tones feel stable. Professional. Grounded.
Bright colors can work in the right branding context, but if your goal is a conservative, executive, attorney, healthcare, or financial-services headshot, darker and simpler is the safer choice.
Why Patterns Are Usually a Bad Idea
Busy patterns pull attention away from the face.
They also make retouching harder. If a wrinkle, bunching, or fold needs to be cleaned up, strong patterns fight that process every step of the way.
Solid colors are usually the best answer.
Subtle texture can work. Loud pattern usually does not.
Why Fit Matters More Than Price
An expensive jacket that does not fit will still look wrong.
A well-fitted jacket, blouse, or shirt will almost always photograph better than something more expensive that bunches, pulls, gaps, or hangs badly.
Fit is visible in a headshot.
Maybe not all at once. But enough to matter.
What Men Should Wear for a Business Headshot
For men, the simplest answer is usually the strongest one: a dark jacket, a well-fitted dress shirt, and a tie if the role or industry calls for it.
- Choose dark jackets over light ones when possible
- Make sure the shirt collar fits comfortably if you plan to wear a tie
- Bring multiple tie options if you are unsure
- Avoid shiny fabric and loud patterns
- Check shirt buttons and buttonholes for loose threads
- Try everything on a few days before the session
And yes, a white shirt can work.
It just works best under a darker jacket.
How to Tie a Tie
If wearing a tie is part of your business headshot wardrobe plan and you are rusty, these videos may help.
What Women Should Wear for a Business Headshot
For women, the same principle applies: keep the attention on the face.
That usually means clean lines, intentional color, good tailoring, and avoiding clothing that pulls the viewer’s eye downward or outward.
- Choose tops, jackets, and dresses with structure
- Avoid busy prints when possible
- Bring multiple necklace options if jewelry is important to the look
- Avoid very wide belts if you want a slimming effect
- Consider sleeves over sleeveless options for a more refined result
- Choose pieces that feel like your industry and your role
Necklace or No Necklace?
Necklace
Jewelry can work beautifully in a headshot.
But it should feel intentional, not accidental.
If you want to wear a necklace, bring options. A subtle piece often helps. A distracting one rarely does.
When in doubt, simpler usually wins.
Grooming Tips Before Your Session
Scheduling for Beard Growth
For men with fast beard growth, morning sessions are usually better. That helps reduce afternoon shadow and keeps the face looking cleaner.
Shaving
If your appointment is in the morning, shave early enough to let irritation calm down. If your appointment is later in the day and your beard comes in quickly, consider shaving again around midday.
Also: trim ear hair and nose hair. Professional cameras are not sentimental.
Hair Cuts
Do not cut your hair the day before the session. Fresh haircuts often look too fresh. Give it a little time to settle.
Manicured
If your hands may appear in the portrait, make sure your nails are clean and presentable. This matters more than people expect.
Get Some Rest
Sleep helps. Puffy eyes and exhausted expression can be improved in retouching, but not as well as they can be prevented the night before.
Practice
Practice smiling. Closed-mouth. Teeth. Relaxed. Warm. Not because you need to perform, but because familiarity reduces tension.
How to Dress for a Slimming Effect in a Business Headshot
If you want a more slimming result, these rules help:
- Darker colors are more slimming than light ones
- Solid colors are more slimming than bold patterns
- Vertical elements help more than horizontal ones
- V-shaped necklines and jacket openings are usually flattering
- Single-breasted jackets tend to slim better than double-breasted ones
- One clean column of color can help the body look longer and leaner
Tailored
Make sure your clothing is well tailored. The camera will show bunching, pulling, and poor fit. Even in a close portrait, fit still reads.
If you are bringing a more casual look, inspect it carefully. Trim loose threads. Check collars. Check cuffs. Check buttons.
White Is OK
For men especially, a white collared shirt can work very well. It simply tends to work best under a darker jacket that keeps the overall look grounded.
No Short Sleeves
Short sleeves and sleeveless clothing can work in some branding situations, but for a more traditional business headshot they usually pull too much attention to the arms and away from the face.
More coverage usually creates a more polished result.
Belts
If you are wearing a belt in a longer portrait, keep it subtle. Wide, bright belts can break the line of the body and steal attention from the face.
Should You Wear Glasses in a Business Headshot?
If you wear glasses most of the time, you should usually wear them in your headshot.
That is how people know you.
For best results, bring clean lenses and, if possible, an extra pair of frames. Thin rims often photograph more easily than thick or highly reflective frames. Good lighting can reduce glare, and Solaris Studios can often remove remaining glare during retouching when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear black for a business headshot?
Yes. Black can work well, especially in more formal or executive portraits. Just make sure the fabric, neckline, and fit are strong.
Should I wear jewelry in a business headshot?
Yes, if it supports the look. Keep it intentional. Bring options. Simpler usually photographs better.
Should I wear a tie for a business headshot?
That depends on your role, industry, and how you want to be perceived. For attorneys, executives, and more conservative industries, the answer is often yes. For some personal brands and more relaxed industries, no tie may be the stronger choice.
Should I bring more than one outfit?
Yes, especially if you want variety or are unsure. A conservative option and a slightly more relaxed option is often a smart combination.
What colors should I avoid in a business headshot?
Very bright neons, loud patterns, and anything that reflects a lot of light tend to be the riskiest choices.
Final Thought
If you remember one thing from this page, remember this:
Dress so your face wins.
That is the whole game.
If you want a stronger business headshot and a photographer who will guide you through the details that actually matter, start with In-Studio Headshots or On-Location Headshots. For a more elevated, fully tailored portrait experience, explore Bespoke Executive Portraits.
Author: Aric Hoek
Houston Business Headshot Photographer
Solaris Studios, Inc.
10407 Thornhurn Court
Houston, TX 77065
281-477-7222
