What to wear for professional headshots: complete 2025 guide

Your LinkedIn headshot is working against you. That cropped wedding photo? The bathroom mirror selfie? That group shot where your ex got edited out, but their shadow is still haunting your shoulder?

A study found that individuals appear 76% more competent, 9% more likable, and 62% more influential having a professional headshot on their

Whether you’re booking a traditional photographer or using AI tools like GenYOU, what you wear can absolutely make or break your professional game. Let’s fix this mess.

Psychology behind professional headshot clothing

Before we get into the “wear this, not that” advice everyone parrots, let’s talk about why your outfit choice actually matters beyond surface-level aesthetics.

• Trust building through visual cues happens in milliseconds. Your brain processes clothing choices as competency indicators before you even realize you’re judging someone. It’s not fair, but it’s neuroscience.
• The biggest mistake everyone makes? Trying to be someone they’re not. Wearing a suit when you’re a startup founder, or going too casual when you’re in finance. Authenticity within professional boundaries is the sweet spot.
• Industry expectations vs. personal authenticity don’t have to be enemies. The goal is finding your professional sweet spot—elevated enough for credibility, authentic enough that you recognize yourself.

Best color to wear for headshots

Forget the color psychology rabbit holes. Most of that stuff is pseudoscience wrapped in Pinterest infographics. Here’s what actually works:

Know your skin tone

For warm undertones (yellow/golden base):

• Rich browns, warm navies, forest greens
• Burgundy, coral, warm grays
• Avoid: Cool blues, stark whites, jewel purples

For cool undertones (pink/blue base):

• Navy blues, charcoal grays, emerald greens
• True burgundy, cool purples, crisp whites
• Avoid: Orange-based colors, warm yellows, camel

For neutral undertones (balanced):

• You basically won the genetic lottery—most colors work
• Focus on depth and richness over brightness
• Avoid: Colors that exactly match your skin tone

Colors that photograph like magic

Navy blue variations. Not all navies are created equal. Look for deeper, richer tones that don’t look black on camera but aren’t bright enough to compete with your face.

Jewel tones done right. Emerald, sapphire, deep amethyst. These add personality without screaming, “look at my shirt instead of my face.”

Sophisticated neutrals. Charcoal gray, rich chocolate brown, deep forest green. These create contrast without distraction.

Research drop: CareerBuilder found blue was rated most “interview-worthy” by 23% of hiring managers. There’s actual data behind the navy obsession.

Colors that’ll sabotage your shot

• Pure white: Blows out under studio lighting, creates harsh contrast
• Neon anything: Your headshot isn’t a music festival
• Pastels: Usually wash out under professional lighting
• Colors matching your exact skin tone: You’ll look headless from a distance

Fit and style rules that actually matter

The difference between “professional” and “playing dress-up” comes down to fit.

Fit standards that count

• Shoulders are everything. If the shoulder seam doesn’t hit where your shoulder actually ends, nothing else matters. This is make-or-break territory.
• Tailored vs. tight vs. loose. Tailored follows your body’s natural lines without clinging. Tight creates pulling and bulging. Loose makes you look bigger and less polished.
• Length considerations for photo cropping. Most professional headshots crop around chest/waist level. Your shirt length might not matter, but where seams hit absolutely does.

Neckline strategy guide

• V-necks. Elongate the neck, flatter round faces, create a frame for your face. The sweet spot is modest but not prudish.
• Crew necks. Classic and safe, work for most body types, and create clean lines. It can look juvenile if too casual.
• Collared shirts. Add structure and formality, create interesting angles, and work across industries. Make sure the collar fits properly—loose collars look sloppy.
• Button-up considerations. The top button unbuttoned looks relaxed, fully buttoned looks formal. Know your industry’s vibe.
• Avoid. Turtlenecks (unless you have a long neck), extreme low cuts, anything that hits at weird angles.

Fabric choices that photograph well

Matte fabrics. Cotton, wool blends, and ponte knits. These don’t create weird reflections under studio lighting.

Subtle textures. Fine knits, subtle weaves, quality cotton with slight texture. These add visual interest without distraction.

Avoid. Shiny fabrics (satin, silk, polyester blends), busy textures, anything that reflects light weirdly.

Pattern and texture guidelines (finally, someone gets specific)

Patterns in headshots are technically challenging because:

1. Moiré effects: Camera sensors create weird ripple patterns with certain designs
2. Focus competition: Busy patterns pull attention from your face
3. Scaling issues: Small patterns can look blurry or vibrating on camera

Patterns that won’t ruin your headshot

• Micro-patterns. Tiny dots, subtle textures, fine tweeds. These read as texture rather than pattern.
• Larger, simpler patterns. Wide stripes (vertical preferred), large polka dots, simple geometric shapes.
• Layering hack. Wear the pattern under a solid blazer or cardigan. You get visual interest without the distraction.

Patterns to absolutely avoid

• Small stripes or checks (create visual vibration)
• Busy florals or paisley
• Anything that competes with your face for attention
• Multiple patterns in one outfit

Industry-specific professional headshot strategies

Let’s get down to business: what you actually need to wear for a professional headshot.

Corporate/Finance/Law: authority and trust

The psychology: Clients need to trust you with money, legal issues, or major decisions. Conservative choices signal stability and competence.

Color palette: Navy, charcoal, deep burgundy, crisp white accents

Styling choices:

• Well-tailored suits or blazers
• Crisp button-downs
• Minimal, quality jewelry
• Conservative ties or scarves

Modern updates: Subtle texture in fabrics, slightly softer tailoring for women, quality over flashiness.

Tech/Startup: smart casual outfits

The psychology: You need to look smart and capable, but not stuffy. Innovation requires approachability.

Color palette: Navy, grays, rich blues, quality blacks, strategic color pops

Styling choices:

• Quality button-downs without ties
• Knit blazers or cardigans
• Clean, modern lines
• Subtle personal touches

Avoid: The “hoodie founder” look (unless you’re actually Mark Zuckerberg)

Creative industries: personality with purpose

The psychology: Show creative sensibility while maintaining professional credibility. You need to look hireable.

Color palette: Jewel tones, interesting neutrals, strategic bold choices

Styling choices:

• Unique necklines or silhouettes
• Quality statement pieces
• Textured fabrics
• Curated accessories

The balance: Creative enough to show taste, professional enough for client meetings.

Healthcare: competence and compassion

The psychology: People trust you with their bodies and health. Look competent, clean, and approachable.

For clinical roles:

• Clean, well-fitted scrubs
• White coats when appropriate
• Minimal, hygienic jewelry

For administrative roles:

• Business casual
• Conservative color choices
• Clean, professional styling

Sales/Real Estate: trust and approachability

The psychology: People buy from people they trust and like. Balance authority with warmth.

Color choices: Blues (trust), burgundy (confidence), professional grays

Styling strategy:

• Polished but not intimidating
• Quality fabrics and fit
• Approachable but competent vibe

Gender-specific considerations (without the outdated stereotypes)

What to wear for professional headshots for a female?

Blazer alternatives: Cardigans, structured knits, quality shells with interesting details

Neckline considerations: Modest V-necks, interesting but not distracting necklines, layering for visual interest

Jewelry strategy: One statement piece OR several subtle pieces, never both. Quality over quantity.

Makeup for photography: Slightly more than everyday wear to show up on camera, but still natural-looking. Matte finishes photograph better than dewy.

Men’s professional headshot approach

Suit vs. blazer vs. shirt decisions: Know your industry’s expectations. When in doubt, bring options.

Tie considerations: Either everyone wears ties or no one does. Mixed formality levels look disorganized in team shots.

Grooming specifics: Fresh haircut 1-2 weeks before (not day-of), well-groomed facial hair, clean nails.

Avoiding the generic business guy look: Subtle personality through color, texture, or styling details.

Non-binary and gender-neutral professional styling

Breaking traditional rules: Professional doesn’t have to mean gendered expectations

Androgynous styling options: Well-tailored blazers, interesting button-downs, quality knits

Comfort and authenticity: Your headshot should represent how you present professionally

Accessories and details that actually matter

Jewelry that enhances vs. distracts

The one-statement-piece rule: Either wear one interesting piece or several subtle ones. Never both.

What photographs well: Matte metals, simple lines, pieces that don’t create reflections

Cultural considerations: Respect religious or cultural jewelry requirements while ensuring they photograph clearly

Glasses and eyewear

Frame impact: Bold frames can overwhelm smaller faces, thin frames might disappear on camera

Reflection prevention: Anti-reflective coating is crucial for photography. If you don’t have it, photographer needs to adjust lighting.

To wear or not to wear: If glasses are part of your daily professional look, wear them. People need to recognize you.

Watches and tech accessories

Classic timepieces vs. smartwatches: Traditional watches are more timeless in photos, but if you always wear an Apple Watch, be consistent with your brand.

Professional vs. personal tech: Keep personal tech out of frame unless it’s part of your professional identity.

What NOT to wear: learn from everyone’s mistakes

• Logos and branded clothing: Unless it’s your own company, logos are distracting and date your photos
• Wrinkled or poorly maintained clothing: Shows lack of attention to detail
• Ill-fitting anything: Better to wear something simple that fits than something expensive that doesn’t
• Overly trendy pieces: Your headshot needs to work for 2-3 years minimum

Industry-specific mistakes

• Finance/Corporate: Going too casual, flashy jewelry, trendy styling over classic
• Creative: Over-accessorizing, trying too hard to be “artistic,” forgetting about client-facing requirements
• Tech: Either too formal (unnecessary suits) or too casual (actual pajamas)
• Healthcare: Mixing personal style inappropriately with professional requirements

Preparation and planning that pros actually do

Pre-shoot strategy

• Outfit testing: Try everything on and take test photos with your phone. Check how it looks from chest-up.
• Backup planning: Bring 2-3 options. Lighting and cameras can make colors look different than expected.
• Grooming timeline: Haircuts 1-2 weeks before, not day-of. No new skincare experiments.
• What to bring: Lint roller, small sewing kit, touch-up makeup, hair products

Day-of execution

• Arrival preparation: Arrive 10 minutes early, use bathroom, check appearance
• Working with photographers: Communicate preferences but trust their technical expertise about lighting and angles
• Multiple looks: If changing outfits, bring someone to help or allow extra time

AI headshot generator: when robots do it better than humans

Look, we’ve already covered what to wear for your professional headshot, how colors work, and why your industry matters for headshot styling. But here’s the thing—all that preparation advice assumes you’re actually booking a traditional photographer and going through the whole song and dance.

What if there was a way to skip the wardrobe panic, the scheduling nightmare, and the awkward small talk while still getting professional results?

AI headshots are stepping in to fix this mess. A survey found that 76.5% of recruiters actually preferred AI-generated headshots over traditional ones, and 66% would be put off if they could tell it was AI-generated.

Translation: AI headshots are winning when they don’t look like AI headshots.

How AI headshots actually work

Step 1: Upload 4 selfies (That’s It). Not 10, not 15—just 4 decent selfies. AI creates a model based on your actual features and body type in under a minute.

Step 2: Browse and pick your style. Check out the community feed or styles gallery. See a look you vibe with? Click it. AI generates that exact headshot but with your face on it.

Step 3: Customize or keep it simple. Want tweaks? Use prompts to adjust the result. Feeling creative? Go wild with unique styles. Or just keep it basic—both work.

That’s literally it. Simple, quick, no drama.

When AI Makes Sense

• Budget constraints. Traditional photography can cost $300-800, AI solutions are significantly less
• Time limitations. No scheduling, travel, or session time required
• Multiple looks needed. Generate various professional styles from one photo set
• Consistency requirements. Perfect lighting and composition every time

Quick decision framework: your headshot outfit checklist

Before your session (traditional or AI), run through this:

Industry appropriateness

☐ Matches my field’s professional expectations
☐ Slightly more formal than daily work attire
☐ Authentic to how I present professionally

Technical considerations

☐ Colors that complement my skin tone
☐ Fabrics that photograph well (matte, not shiny)
☐ Patterns minimal or absent
☐ Proper fit (not too tight, not too loose)

Professional polish

☐ Clean, pressed, and lint-free
☐ Appropriate neckline for industry
☐ Jewelry enhances rather than distracts
☐ Grooming is camera-ready

Authenticity check

☐ I feel confident in this outfit
☐ This represents my professional brand
☐ I would wear this to an important meeting
☐ This will work for 2-3 years

Wrapping up

Your headshot outfit doesn’t need to cost a fortune or follow every trend. It needs to be intentional, appropriate, and authentic to you.

Whether you book a traditional photographer or try AI solutions like GenYOU, focus on what matters—looking like the professional, competent, approachable person you are.

Now stop overthinking and get that headshot updated. Your future self will thank you when those LinkedIn connection requests start rolling in.

About the author
Adeline Knight. Content writer at Icons8. She started as a professional photographer before falling for design. She enjoys experimenting with new tools and uncovering tips and tricks to simplify her life and boost her creativity.