What Not to Wear for Professional Headshots and How to Look Polished

Getting a professional headshot can really help you make a strong first impression. Wearing the wrong clothes—think busy patterns, neon colors, or baggy outfits—can pull attention away from your face and just make the photo feel off.

Clean, simple, and well-fitted clothing almost always looks best for these kinds of images.

Details like wrinkled shirts, loud jewelry, or shiny fabrics can easily steal focus from your expression and overall vibe. Before your photo session, take a beat to consider your outfit choices so your final photo sends the right message.

Key Takeaways

• Simple, fitted clothes work best for a professional headshot.
• Skip the bright colors, bold patterns, and anything too flashy.
• A little planning goes a long way toward a clean, ****professional impression.

Common Wardrobe Mistakes For Headshots

Clothing choices in professional headshots matter just as much as your facial expression. An outfit that misses the mark can totally steal the spotlight from your face and weaken the photo's impact.

Busy Patterns And Distracting Prints

Bold prints, stripes, and big logos drag attention away from your face. In headshot photography, that means people might notice your shirt before they notice you.

Patterns like florals, polka dots, or plaid can look extra busy on camera and sometimes even mess with the way the image appears. Photographers almost always suggest sticking with solid colors.

Clothes with big graphics or letters? They’re just not helping your case.

Key tips for busy patterns:

• Ditch clothes with tiny checks, dots, or lines that can create a weird moiré effect in photos.
• Solid and neutral tones are your friends.
• Avoid shirts or jackets with sequins or shiny embellishments.

If you want more details, these headshot wardrobe choices are worth a look.

Wrinkled Or Ill-Fitting Clothes

Wrinkled or badly fitting clothes are a classic pitfall in headshot photography. Wrinkled fabric just makes you look less put-together.

Clothes that are too tight or way too loose can create odd shapes and lines, and the camera doesn’t forgive much. A shirt that's pulling at the buttons or a jacket slumping at the shoulders? Not a good look.

Checklist to avoid this mistake:

• Iron or steam everything before the shoot.
• Pick clothes that fit your shoulders, waist, and sleeves without pinching or sagging.
• Try on your outfit the day before—move around, see how it feels.

Overly Casual Attire

Wearing super casual clothing really undercuts the professional message you’re trying to send. Things like t-shirts, hoodies, and gym wear just don’t say “I mean business.”

Flip-flops, hats, or shorts can also make you seem less credible. Most photographers say to dress up a bit from your day-to-day work look.

You don’t always need a suit, but a collared shirt or simple blazer usually works for most settings.

For advice about how formal to go, this professional headshot attire guide is helpful.

Examples of attire to avoid:

• Sweatshirts, tank tops, or graphic tees.
• Gym clothes or lounge wear.
• Sneakers, unless they make sense for your industry.

Wrong Colors To Avoid In Professional Headshots

Wearing the right colors can help you look polished, while the wrong ones can make photos look off or even unprofessional. Certain shades can distract, clash, or just wash you out.

Neon Hues And Bright Colors

Neon colors—lime green, electric pink, bright yellow—grab all the attention, but not in a good way. They can throw weird highlights on your skin and cause odd reflections in professional photography.

Instead of looking sharp, you might just look... loud. Photographers usually suggest solid colors in softer tones.

Bright reds and oranges can also take over the photo, making it tough for anyone to focus on your expression. Subtle, classic shades tend to flatter most people.

Colors like soft blues, muted greens, and gentle earth tones generally work for almost everyone. They keep the attention on you, not your outfit or the backdrop.

Headshots look cleaner and more professional with these kinds of colors.

All-White Or All-Black Outfits

Wearing all white or all black can make a photo look kind of flat. White clothes reflect studio lights and can wash out your features, making you look pale.

Black, on the other hand, just eats up the light and can hide details or create harsh lines—especially with digital cameras. Solid white or black can even blend into the background, so you end up looking like a floating head.

Photographers often suggest adding a little color or a lighter layer under a dark blazer. Patterns in these shades? They usually don’t help.

Off-white, navy, or gray are safer bets—they balance skin tone and keep the photo sharp.

Clashing Colors And Poor Color Coordination

Mismatched or clashing colors can make your outfit seem unprofessional. Pairing something like bright red with neon green or orange with purple just pulls the eye away from your face.

Mixing too many bold patterns or logos can overpower the simple, solid look you want. It’s better to pick colors that go well with your skin tone, hair, and the background.

Keeping your palette simple—just two or three solid colors—usually looks best. Earth tones, pastels, and neutrals play nicely together.

Jewelry And Accessories: What Not To Wear

Jewelry and accessories can turn into distractions fast if you’re not careful. Small and simple is almost always the way to go—let your face do the talking.

Reflective Or Large Statement Pieces

Reflective jewelry—shiny necklaces, big earrings—can cause glare or weird spots in your headshots. Large pieces, like chunky necklaces or giant hoops, often overpower your features and just make things look cluttered.

Photographers usually say to avoid anything that catches or reflects light. Oversized jewelry can also make your neck look shorter or mess with your posture in photos.

Honestly, plain, non-reflective studs or a tiny pendant are usually enough to add interest without stealing the show. Heavy statement pieces might be fun day-to-day, but they rarely help in a headshot.

Most pros agree: understated jewelry makes for better headshots—no clutter, just you.

Noisy Or Distracting Accessories

Accessories that move and make noise—like stacks of bangles or long, dangly earrings—are distracting during the shoot and in the final image. They can tug at your hair, shift your clothes, or just make you look less relaxed.

Photographers recommend removing anything that jingles, clatters, or moves around. Even the sound can break your concentration or make you feel awkward.

For professional headshots, subtle and silent is best. Give your jewelry a shake before the shoot—if it makes noise, maybe leave it at home.

Fabric And Fit Considerations For Headshots

Clothing choices, especially fabric and fit, make a real difference in how you come across in headshots. The wrong material or cut can distract from your face or just look awkward.

Shiny Fabrics And Reflective Materials

Shiny fabrics—satin, silk, some polyesters—reflect studio lights and can create bright spots or glare. That pulls attention away from your face and eyes, which should be front and center.

Reflective materials also highlight every wrinkle or bunch in the fabric, making them more obvious in photos. Shiny tops, especially light ones, can draw the eye to spots you’d rather not highlight.

Matte fabrics like cotton or wool blends are way easier to work with. They keep things looking clean and professional.

It’s smart to avoid anything with sequins, metallic details, or decorations that catch the light. Those unpredictable reflections are tough to fix after the fact.

Long sleeves in non-shiny fabrics offer aFor a polished look, solid, opaque fabrics are safest. Layering with a camisole can help, but honestly, it’s easier to just avoid sheer stuff. and keep your arms from being overexposed.

See-Through Or Sheer Textiles

See-through or sheer fabrics—think thin chiffon or mesh—can be a problem in photos. They often show more skin or undergarments than you expect, which distracts from your face and just doesn’t look professional.

Photo lighting can make lightweight, sheer materials look even more transparent than they do in real life. Bright lights might reveal inner layers or seams, pulling focus away from you.

For a polished look, solid, opaque fabrics are safest. Layering with a camisole can help, but honestly, it’s easier to just avoid sheer stuff.

Making A Professional Impression With Clothing

Choosing the right clothing for a professional headshot lets you shape how others see you. Thoughtful choices can help you come across as trustworthy and ready for that LinkedIn spotlight.

Logos, Graphics, And Branding

Clothing with big logos or flashy graphics can really pull the spotlight off your face. For headshots, it’s just cleaner and more professional to go with clothes that don’t have logos or busy designs.

Wearing a shirt splashed with a huge brand name or symbol? It’s distracting. It doesn’t look polished, especially if you’re aiming for a business vibe.

If you do want your company’s branding in your headshot, keep it super subtle—think small logo, not billboard. A professional photographer will probably tell you to skip bold designs since they compete with your features.

Plain colors or simple patterns let people focus on your eyes and smile. Skip sports jerseys, graphic tees, or anything with jokes or slogans.

If you avoid visible branding, your headshot becomes more flexible. You won’t have to worry about policies or switching jobs later.

Trendy Or Outdated Styles

Super trendy outfits might look cool now, but they age fast. Oversized jackets or extra-wide pants can date your photo pretty quickly. That’s a headache if you want to keep your LinkedIn profile looking fresh for a while.

Old-fashioned styles don’t help, either. Baggy suits, chunky jewelry, or wide lapels can make you seem out of touch.

Simple, classic pieces always work. A well-fitted blazer, a plain blouse, or a button-down shirt—these never really go out of style.

Neat, fitted clothing in neutral colors just works. It’s easy to see why people stick with them for business headshots.

Additional Elements To Consider For The Perfect Headshot

The background and any extra stuff in the shot can totally change the vibe. Picking carefully keeps the focus where it should be—on your face.

Inappropriate Backdrops

Backdrops set the whole mood. A messy or cluttered background just drags attention away from your face and screams unprofessional.

Solid, neutral colors work best in a studio or iris booth. Bold patterns or wild colors? Not so much.

The backdrop should fit your industry and job. For office roles, plain gray, white, or soft blue feel clean and calm.

Home backgrounds with personal items, bold art, or crowded shelves make everything look less polished. If you’re at a studio, ask about backdrop options that fit the image you’re going for.

Unnecessary Props And Items

Props and personal items in headshots? Usually just a distraction. Hats, sunglasses, coffee cups, or logos on clothes can all steal the spotlight from your face.

Whether it’s an iris booth or a classic studio, a simple, uncluttered setup is best.

The focus should be on you, not what you’re holding or wearing. Even with jewelry, less is more—small earrings or a simple watch are fine, but nothing flashy.

Everything in the shot should help you look clean and professional. Big props or loud accessories just make the photo feel less timeless.

What Not To Do Before Your Headshot Session

For professional photos, a bit of planning goes a long way. Rushing to change outfits or scrambling for poses can make you look less confident.

Last-Minute Wardrobe Changes

Switching outfits at the last minute can backfire. Freshly changed clothes are often wrinkled, and those wrinkles are tough to ignore in photos.

Bringing clothes that haven’t been ironed or steamed? Same problem. A quick pass with a steamer or iron the night before can save you.

Trying out new or unfamiliar clothes right before the shoot can make you feel awkward. If you’re uncomfortable, it shows in your pose and smile.

Test your outfits ahead of time for comfort and fit. Stay away from anything with big, distracting patterns or too much jewelry—they just compete with your face.

Pro tip: Stick to your plan and keep it simple. You’ll look more polished and the shoot will be smoother.

Unprepared Poses

If you walk into a photo session without practicing, you might end up looking stiff or awkward.

Body language matters. Whether you want a relaxed vibe, a strong handshake, or a friendly smile, it helps to practice open poses in the mirror first.

People who don’t prepare often fidget with their hands or hunch their shoulders. These habits show up in the final photos.

A good idea is to check out how others pose in professional shots or browse company team pages for inspiration.

Practicing just a few things before your shoot can really change the outcome:

• Comfortable hand placement
• Natural posture
• A genuine smile

Being ready with poses makes you look more confident and approachable. Plus, it saves time for everyone.