What to Wear for Headshots: 15 Outfits That Work (2026)

Last updated: October 15, 2026 · By Andreas, Headshots.so

For headshots, wear solid-colored clothing in a mid-tone such as navy, charcoal, burgundy or forest green, with a crew neck, V-neck or simple collar. Avoid big logos, tight stripes and neon colors, because they pull attention away from your face. Pick what you would wear to an important client meeting in your industry, then go one notch smarter.

Quick answer

• Wear solid colors in mid-tones. Navy and gray flatter almost everyone.
• Avoid tight stripes, small checks, big logos and neon.
• Only your shoulders and chest are in the frame, so your top and neckline matter most.
• Match your industry: a suit for law and finance, knitwear or a shirt for tech and creative roles.
• With Headshots.so you can try multiple outfits and backgrounds and get 50+ headshots, from $29 with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Contents

1. What colors are best for headshots?
2. What should men wear for headshots?
3. What should women wear for headshots?
4. What should you wear for headshots in different industries?
5. What should you not wear for headshots?
6. How should you prepare the day before?
7. Can you change outfits with AI headshots?
8. FAQ: what to wear for headshots

What colors are best for headshots?

The best colors for headshots are mid-tones that contrast with your background: navy, charcoal, burgundy, forest green and muted blue. Mid-tones work because the camera keeps the detail in the fabric without making your skin look washed out or flushed.

Bright white can blow out and blend into a light background. Pure black can swallow the detail around your shoulders. Both can work, but a mid-tone is the safe choice.

Rule of thumb: light background, darker clothes, and vice versa. That keeps your silhouette crisp, even at 400 × 400 pixels on LinkedIn.

What should men wear for headshots?

Men look most professional in a solid shirt with a blazer, or a fine-knit crew-neck sweater for a more relaxed look. Only wear a tie if you wear one to work every day.

8 headshot outfits for men

1. Navy blazer with a white or light blue shirt, no tie
2. Charcoal suit with a white shirt (law, finance, leadership)
3. Fine merino crew-neck in navy or gray
4. Solid light blue or muted green shirt, top button open
5. Dark polo shirt (trades, fitness, sales)
6. Sweater over a collared shirt (consulting, advisory)
7. Plain T-shirt under a wool blazer (tech, startups)
8. Dark turtleneck (creative roles, architecture)

What should women wear for headshots?

Women look most professional in a solid blouse or top with a blazer, or a dress with a simple neckline and sleeves. Keep jewelry small, because statement earrings and necklaces draw the eye away from your face.

7 headshot outfits for women

1. Solid blouse with a navy, gray or camel blazer
2. Crew-neck or boat-neck top under a structured blazer
3. Sleeved dress in burgundy or forest green
4. Fine-knit V-neck sweater (healthcare, advisory, education)
5. Silk or viscose shirt with a simple collar
6. Turtleneck in a muted color (creative roles, tech)
7. Solid top under an open cardigan (HR, teaching)

What should you wear for headshots in different industries?

The right outfit depends on what your clients and colleagues expect to see. Here is what works best in the most common fields.

If your whole company needs matching photos, agree on a shared dress code. Read more about corporate headshots for teams.

What should you not wear for headshots?

Avoid tight stripes, small checks and fine patterns, because they can flicker on screens (the moiré effect). Also skip big logos and text, neon, deep necklines, sleeveless tops and wrinkled clothing.

• Tight stripes and checks: flicker on screens
• Logos and text: steal focus and date the photo
• Neon and oversaturated colors: cast color onto your face
• Straps and deep necklines: look bare once the photo is cropped at the shoulders
• Statement jewelry and scarves: pull the eye away from your face
• Wrinkled fabric: shows clearly in high resolution

How should you prepare the day before?

Steam or iron your clothes, lay out 2–3 outfits and get a good night's sleep. Get a haircut about a week before, not the day before, so it has time to settle.

• Steam your clothes and use a lint roller
• Choose something that fits well across the shoulders – that is what shows
• Drink water and skip salty food the night before
• Wear glasses if you always do, so people recognize you
• Check the light: daylight from a window in front of you gives the best selfies

Can you change outfits with AI headshots?

Yes. With AI headshots from Headshots.so you upload ordinary selfies, and the AI creates your headshots in different outfits and backgrounds. Depending on the package, they are ready in 10–30 minutes. You don't need to own a suit to get a photo in one.

Photographer pricing is a typical range and varies by city and package.

See AI headshot examples before you decide.

Ready for new headshots?
Create professional AI headshots from $29. Love your headshots or get your money back.

Using it on LinkedIn? Read how to get the perfect LinkedIn profile photo. Adding it to a résumé? See our professional CV photo guide.

FAQ: what to wear for headshots

What color is best to wear for headshots?

Navy, charcoal, burgundy and forest green are the safest choices. Mid-tones keep detail and flatter most skin tones.

Can I wear white for headshots?

Yes, ideally against a darker background. White on a white background makes you blend in.

Should I wear a suit for my LinkedIn headshot?

Only if it fits your industry. A blazer is standard in law and finance, while knitwear or a shirt works better in tech and creative roles.

Can I wear glasses in my headshot?

Yes, if you wear them every day. Choose frames without strong reflections and tilt them slightly down.

How much do AI headshots cost at Headshots.so?

Packages at Headshots.so start at $29, you get 50+ headshots, and there is a 100% satisfaction guarantee.