The complete NYC guide to what to wear for professional headshots best colors, outfit ideas for men & women, what to avoid, and a pre-session checklist.
Dorothy Shi Photography
When clients ask us what to wear for professional headshots, the answer is always the same starting point: wear what makes you feel like the most capable, confident version of yourself then let us worry about the light. For professional headshots, the best choices are solid-color, well-fitted clothing with clean necklines that keep the visual focus on your face. Best outfit options include:
Your headshot is your first impression. Understanding what to wear for professional headshots and what to avoid can be the difference between an image that opens doors and one that fades into the background.
At Dorothy Shi Photography in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, we guide every client through wardrobe preparation before their session. This complete guide covers everything: color psychology, outfit ideas by gender, what to wear for corporate headshots vs. actor headshots, and the full list of things to leave at home.
Photography is a conversation between light, color, and expression. Knowing what to wear for professional headshots starts with understanding that the camera amplifies everything including your outfit choices.
A busy pattern pulls the eye away from your face. A color that clashes with your skin tone can flatten your features. A well-fitted blazer, on the other hand, quietly communicates authority and confidence before you've said a word. The clothes you wear for your professional headshot interact directly with the background, the lighting setup, and the emotional impact of the final image.
The good news: wardrobe preparation is entirely within your control. A little intentional planning before your session means you walk in ready and the result shows.
Color is the single most impactful clothing decision you'll make when figuring out what to wear for professional headshots. The right color flatters your skin tone, complements the background, and communicates the right professional message.
One of the most important variables in knowing what to wear for professional headshots is understanding the purpose of the image. Corporate headshot attire and actor headshot clothing follow different logic.
For corporate headshots and executive portraits, the goal is to project credibility, competence, and approachability. Think about the dress code standard in your industry, then dress one intentional step above it.
Best corporate headshot outfit choices: - Tailored blazer or structured jacket even over a simple shirt, it elevates immediately - Collared dress shirts or sophisticated blouses in solid colors - A subtle tie or scarf if it aligns with your professional context - Conservative jewelry stud earrings, a simple watch, or a classic pendant
A well-chosen outfit for corporate professional headshots conveys that you're not just in the room you belong at the head of the table.
When deciding what to wear for your LinkedIn headshots, the same principles apply as corporate attire but you can lean slightly warmer and more personable. LinkedIn is about human connection as much as professional credibility. A pop of color, a relaxed collar, or a carefully chosen accessory can add approachability to the polished foundation.
Actor headshot wardrobe strategy follows different rules. Casting directors want to see you not a character, not a costume. The goal is to wear something that fits the roles you're most likely to be cast in, while revealing your authentic personality.
Best choices for actor headshots: - Simple, fitted tops that don't compete with your expression - Colors that make your eyes pop and your skin glow - Flattering necklines that draw the eye upward toward your face - Nothing with heavy logos, bold graphics, or anything that reads as a costume
Bring 3 4 outfit changes to cover different archetypes: approachable and warm, dramatic or intense, comedic or light. Your photographer will guide you through the sequencing.
Women navigating what to wear for professional headshots have more variables but more opportunity to get it beautifully right.
Top outfit recommendations: - Fitted blazer in a solid color a wardrobe workhorse that instantly elevates - Wrap tops or V-necks that create a flattering neckline and draw attention upward - Structured blouses with clean lines and no busy prints - Sheath dresses or clean-shouldered tops with tailored silhouettes
What to avoid for women's professional headshots: - Sleeveless tops without a blazer or structured layer - Large, dangling earrings that introduce movement and distraction - Busy florals, stripes, or geometric patterns that create visual noise - Low necklines that shift the visual focus away from your face
Hair and makeup: Aim for polished and natural slightly more refined than your everyday look, but authentically you. Fresh blowout, a neat updo, or your signature style all work beautifully. The key is that it feels intentional.
Men often underestimate how much wardrobe preparation matters when thinking about what to wear for professional headshots. The gap between a mediocre headshot and a powerful one frequently comes down to fit and fabric quality.
Top outfit recommendations for men: - Fitted dress shirt collar stays in, impeccably ironed - Blazer or sport coat in navy, charcoal, or medium grey adds instant structure - Subtle tie if appropriate for your industry or role - Grooming: Fresh haircut 5 7 days before the session (not the day of); clean-shaven or neatly trimmed beard
What to avoid for men's professional headshots: - Suits that are too boxy or outdated in cut - Shiny fabrics that reflect studio lighting unpredictably - White shirts alone under bright lighting (they blow out easily) - Visible undershirt necklines peeking above the collar
Pro tip: Bring a lint roller and freshly pressed shirts in a garment bag. Wrinkles that seem minor to the eye are significantly amplified in high-resolution portrait photography.
Knowing what to avoid is just as valuable as knowing what to choose when preparing what to wear for professional headshots.
When deciding what to wear for professional headshots, think in terms of "looks," not single outfits:
Corporate headshots: 2 3 looks (formal, business casual, plus one personality option)
LinkedIn headshots: 2 looks one authoritative, one warm and approachable
Actor headshots: 3 4 looks to cover different character types
Executive portraits: 2 3 looks, typically including your signature power suit
The night before your session at Dorothy Shi Photography, lay out all your options, photograph them on your phone, and ask yourself: Does this look like the version of me I want the world to see? If the answer is yes, it earns a spot in the bag.
Use this checklist in the week before your professional headshot session in NYC:
Steam or iron all selected garments
Lint-roll every piece
Try everything on sit, stand, and move in each outfit
Check for pulls, fabric pilling, or visible wear
Confirm your clothing doesn't match your expected background tone
Book a haircut 5 7 days before the session (men) or a blowout the morning of (women)
Bring touch-up makeup and a small hair kit to the studio
Pack garments flat in a garment bag to prevent travel wrinkles
The most common mistake people make when choosing what to wear for professional headshots isn't picking the wrong color or neckline it's dressing for who they think they should be rather than who they genuinely are.
Your headshot works best when it's an honest, elevated version of you. That doesn't mean casual. It means intentional. Wear what makes you feel capable, confident, and fully yourself. The camera feels the difference and so will everyone who sees the image.
Women should wear a fitted blazer, structured blouse, or wrap top in a solid, flattering color. Avoid busy patterns, sleeveless tops without a jacket, and large statement jewelry. Choose navy, deep green, burgundy, or soft jewel tones that complement your skin tone and reflect your professional identity.
Men should wear a freshly pressed dress shirt ideally paired with a blazer or sport coat in a solid color. Navy, charcoal, and medium grey are reliable, flattering choices. Get a haircut 5 7 days before the shoot and ensure garments are lint-free and properly fitted. Avoid bright white shirts under direct studio lighting.
Avoid neon colors, pure bright white, and colors that match your background exactly. Busy patterns stripes, florals, geometric prints create visual noise that distracts from your face. Shiny or reflective fabrics can also cause unwanted glare under studio lighting.
Keep jewelry minimal and classic. Small stud earrings, a simple pendant, or a tasteful watch are ideal. Avoid large statement earrings, chunky necklaces, or anything that dangles or catches light dramatically. Jewelry should complement your expression not compete with it.
Deep, solid colors tend to photograph best: navy blue, forest green, charcoal grey, and deep burgundy are all excellent choices. Jewel tones add vibrant personality. The "best" color depends on your skin tone, your background, and the professional image you want to project.
Yes, if glasses are genuinely part of your everyday professional appearance. Your photographer will adjust the lighting angle to minimize glare and lens reflections. Anti-reflective lenses are ideal for photography. Wear what your audience expects to see authenticity matters.
Avoid visible logos, busy patterns, neon colors, wrinkled or lint-covered fabric, and ill-fitting garments. Also skip sleeveless tops without a layer, overly casual attire, and brand-new clothing you've never worn unfamiliarity with a garment creates subtle tension that shows clearly on camera.
Style your hair as you wear it in professional settings polished and intentional, but authentic to your everyday look. For women, a fresh blowout or neat updo works beautifully. For men, a haircut 5 7 days before the session is ideal; freshly cut hair hasn't yet settled naturally. Bring a small touch-up kit to the studio.
Now that you know exactly what to wear for professional headshots, the next step is showing up with confidence. At Dorothy Shi Photography, located at 400 Central Park West on Manhattan's Upper West Side, we work with corporate professionals, executives, LinkedIn users, and actors throughout New York City to create headshots that are honest, powerful, and unmistakably human.
We guide every client through wardrobe decisions before and during the session so that by the time you step in front of the camera, you're ready to own the frame.
Explore our corporate headshot services !� Learn about actor headshots !� Book your session today !�
Proudly serving clients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the greater New York City area.