What to wear for a professional headshot (2026 Guide)

Having your professional headshot taken is exciting, but if you’ve booked a shoot and suddenly found yourself staring at your wardrobe thinking “I have absolutely nothing to wear”, you’re not alone.

One of the most common questions I get asked is:

“What to wear for a professional headshot?”

As a photographer working with small business owners, creatives and entrepreneurs, I hear this before almost every shoot. The good news is that you don’t need a whole new wardrobe; you need to choose intentionally.

The aim isn’t to look like someone else or dress more formally than usual. It’s about showing up as the most confident, recognisable version of you.

Here is my professional guide to what to wear for a professional headshot, based on years of photographing business owners, entrepreneurs and teams across Croydon, London and the South East.

An example of what to wear for a professional headshot if you work in the financial world. A photo of a businessman in a suit jacket taken in Croydon, South East London.

A professional headshot in Croydon, South East London. John works in finance & always wears a suit jacket when meeting with clients.

What to wear for a professional headshot: Start with how you want to be seen

Before choosing clothes, ask yourself:

  • How do I want clients to perceive me?
  • What feeling should my photo communicate?
  • Does my brand feel corporate, creative, relaxed or authoritative?

It isn’t about fashion, it’s about communication. Your clothing should support your professional identity, not fight against it.

A headshot is often your first introduction on LinkedIn, your website or social media. Long before someone speaks to you, they’re already forming an impression.

A solicitor may want to project credibility & authority, while a creative business owner might lean towards something more relaxed and contemporary. Neither is right nor wrong, only different.

So here’s my biggest piece of advice: if you wouldn’t normally wear it to meet a client, don’t wear it for your headshot. Your headshot should look like the best version of you on a good day, not someone your clients wouldn’t recognise in real life.

Choose colours that work for you and your brand

You want the colours in your headshot to complement your complexion, skin tone and hair. Think about the colours you feel confident wearing. If you receive compliments when wearing certain tones, that’s usually a good sign that they will photograph well.

Colours that photograph beautifully

  • Mid-tone colours like blues, greens and jewel tones.
  • Rich neutrals such as navy, charcoal or deep burgundy.
  • Colours that complement your skin tone and hair colour.
  • Solid colours nearly always win over busy patterns.

Colours to avoid

  • Be careful with brights; if they don’t match your undertone, they can make you look tired or accentuate imperfections.
  • Tiny stripes or detailed patterns can be distracting.
  • Skin-tone colours that blend into your complexion.
  • Pure black can lose detail under lighting, which can reduce shape and definition in photographs. Exchange black for rich neutral colours like navy blue, dark brown, deep purple or forest green.

If you love bold colour, keep it intentional, a layer, accessory or subtle accent rather than the entire outfit. The goal isn’t for people to notice your clothes first; it’s for them to notice you.

You may also want to consider your brand colours. Subtle alignment between your wardrobe and your branding can help create consistency across your website, social media and marketing materials.

An example of what to wear for a professional headshot; a photo of a businesswoman standing on a staircase in a deep red top.

Deep jewel colours matched Michele’s complexion perfectly & also complemented her personality.

Fit matters more than fashion

Well-fitting clothing makes a bigger difference than following the latest fashion trends.

Clothes that are too tight can restrict movement, while oversized pieces may lose shape on camera. Comfortable clothing allows you to relax, move naturally and focus on expression rather than adjusting what you’re wearing.

Choose pieces that:

  • Fit your shoulders properly
  • Don’t pull or gape
  • Aren’t overly baggy
  • Allow you to move comfortably

Tailored or structured clothing works particularly well because it creates clean lines and definition. You don’t need to be trendy. You just need clothes that fit well. 

Comfort equals confidence and confidence always shows up in photographs.

An example of what to wear for a professional headshot; a photo of a relaxed businessman in an informal suit jacket & t-shirt taken in Croydon, South East London.

Keep style timeless

Your headshot may represent you for several years, so aim for timeless, rather than fashion-forward. That ultra-fashionable piece you love today might date your photo faster than you expect.

Texture often photographs beautifully, while busy patterns can distract or distort on camera. Knitwear, structured fabrics & subtle layers often work well.

Good options include:

  • Blazers or structured jackets
  • Simple tops
  • Classic shirts or blouses
  • Clean necklines like crew or modest V-necks
  • Layers that add depth without distraction

You want someone looking at your photo in three years to focus on you, not the era it was taken.

A blazer or fitted jacket never goes out of style.

Bring options if you can

Most clients now use their headshots across multiple platforms, including websites, LinkedIn, social media and press features. Bringing two or three outfit options allows us to create variety during a single session.

You might consider:

  • One timeless, professional option.
  • One outfit aligned closely with your brand colours or personality.
  • One slightly more relaxed look.

Small changes such as adding a jacket, knitwear or layering piece can create different looks without needing a full outfit change.

An example of what to wear for a professional headshot; a photo of a woman in a pink knit jumper taken outside with greenery as the background.

Textured knitwear is a great secondary option to bring variety to your headshot.

Use accessories to add personality

Accessories are where personality can quietly shine.

Glasses, jewellery, watches or scarves can add character & individuality, especially if they’re things people associate with you already.

But subtle is powerful here. If something feels distracting when you look in the mirror, it will feel even louder in a photograph.

Bring a few options to your shoot so we can refine the look together.

An example of what to wear for a professional headshot; a business woman changes her look by adding accessories to her outfit. She wears a black jacket, bright jewellery & a hat

Claire runs a marketing agency; adding a jacket, a hat and changing her jewellery quickly gave her three or four different looks.

Hair, grooming & final preparation tips

A few small details make a big difference:

  • Try outfits on beforehand (including sitting down!).
  • Steam or iron everything and remove any fluff or animal hairs.
  • Avoid brand-new haircuts right before your session.
  • Keep makeup natural and matte.
  • Bring a brush or powder for quick touch-ups.

Preparation reduces stress, and relaxed clients always photograph better.

Think about your industry & location

Your outfit should make sense for your working environment.

A fitness coach in a full suit feels disconnected. A corporate consultant in gym wear sends the wrong message.

Your headshot works best when everything aligns:

  • Who you are
  • What you do
  • Where you work
  • Who you serve

Everything should feel cohesive: you, your brand and your environment. When those elements match, your photo instantly feels more believable and more professional.

Stretch Inc. is a fitness brand & so wearing a branded hoodie was an appropriate outfit for Rachel’s headshot. This would not work for an accountant.

Think about how headshots are cropped

Headshots are usually framed quite tightly, so necklines matter more than people expect. 

Higher or structured necklines often photograph more cleanly, while very low necklines can look quite different once cropped.

When in doubt, simple shapes tend to work best.

The most important rule: look like yourself

The most successful headshots aren’t about perfect styling. They’re about recognition.

Choose clothing that helps you feel comfortable, professional and genuinely yourself because your professional headshot should feel like an honest introduction: confident, approachable and& recognisably you.

When a client meets you in person, they should immediately recognise the person from the photograph.

That’s the real goal.

Because people don’t connect with perfection. They connect with people.

An example of what to wear for a professional headshot; a businesswoman with a relaxed look wears a white shirt in Croydon, South East London

Planning your professional headshot in Croydon, Bromley, London or the South East? Here’s how I can help.

Every headshot session includes guidance before your shoot, so you never have to figure this out alone.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss:

  • Clothing choices
  • Brand positioning
  • Shoot location
  • The impression you want to create

If you’re preparing for a session and still unsure what to wear for a professional headshot, I’m always happy to help you refine your options.

If you’re looking for relaxed, natural headshot photography that actually feels like you, you can get in touch here:

Enquire about headshot sessions

Top 3 frequently asked questions about what to wear for a professional headshot

What colours should you wear for a professional headshot?

Solid mid-tone colours usually photograph best because they keep attention on your face rather than your clothing.

Should you wear black in a headshot?

Black can work, but deep neutrals like navy or charcoal often photograph with more detail and depth.

How many outfits should you bring to a headshot session?

Two to three options usually provide enough variety without overcomplicating your session.

Lorraine works outdoors; her clothing choices for her headshot were intentional based on the work that she does & how she shows up when meeting with her clients.

Hi, I’m Ally…

…a Croydon-based headshot and personal branding photographer working with entrepreneurs, creatives and businesses across Croydon, Bromley, Surrey, Kent, London & the South East. My approach is simple: create photographs that feel natural, confident and genuinely representative of the person in front of the camera.

*This guide was originally written several years ago & has been updated for 2026 to reflect how modern headshots are used across personal brands & online platforms.