What to Wear Guide
1. Say yes to pops of color & fun patterns and prints.
2. Steer clear of fluorescents. Fluorescent colors tend to color cast on faces, necks and hair. They’re harsh sometimes. I always recommend versions of primary colors. Yellow (mustard), red (maroon, brick), and blue (navy, royal).
3. Stay away from wearing a lot of green when having photos taken in grassy/wooded areas. It’s just too much green. Green as an accent color is great, though! You want to stand out amongst all the greenery you’re surrounded by.
4. To get the flow going with wardrobe for your family, start with one outfit that you really like. From there, build from it for everyone else.
5. Wear what you feel good in! If you can’t find a dress you feel good in, but you rock a good pair of skinny jeans, do that. If you can barely walk in heels, there’s no harm in doing cute and comfy flat boots or pretty sandals.
6. Layer, layer layer! Layers add dimension and depth. In the summer? Layer your dress with a cute belt and pendant necklace. In the fall and winter? Cardigans, belts, statement necklaces, scarves, hats, blazers, vests, etc.
7. Purchase clothes to fit. And fit well.Keep in mind that for pictures, too large of a polo shirt, saggy ill-fitting jeans or a jacket that’s falling off the shoulders looks sloppy. A too-big jean jacket will not compliment shape. It hides hips and waist. If you typically wear a size medium jacket, try on the small. Even if it’s just a little snug in the shoulders, it should lay nicely around your hips and waist, creating a tailored look.
8. Matching is out. Coordinating is in. And anything goes nowadays! Wearing the same colored shirt, pants, shoes, etc. looks a bit awkward. Coordinating color is what really brings wardrobe together. I usually choose two to three main colors of wardrobe, and maybe one accent pop of color. Also, mixing stripes with plaids and tweeds is okay! Expression is important. We want to see your personality through your wardrobe.
9. Dress for the weather, and be flexible. Be prepared to be flexible with wardrobe, in case you have to switch it up last minute. If you have plans for a cute sundress, and the weather ends up being 20 degrees colder than you were anticipating, switch it up a bit by adding layers. Tights, boots, scarf, slouchy hat, cardigan. Dress appropriately for the weather that day, even if it doesn’t go with your original plan.
10. Dress for the situation. Just as dressing for weather is important, dressing for the situation is just as important. A fancy black dress and a dress shirt and tie wouldn’t be the most appropriate wardrobe for a forest or grassy setting. More formal wear would be more appropriate for an urban or “big city” feel.
11. Shoes are a very important part of wardrobe. Stay away from flip flops, crocs.
12. Mix it up. Do not be afraid to mix prints and textures. Or styles for that matter! For example: You could choose a piece with polka dots and a piece with stripes. You could put a denim top with a corduroy pant. Your prints and textures don’t always have to come from your main pieces. You can jazz up a dress with printed or textured tights. Or dress up a t-shirt with colored or patterned suspenders. From here, you can go a step further and start mixing “styles.”
13. Add accents and accessorize!! If you’re not up for investing in new clothes, you can change the whole look of your wardrobe by accessorizing with a few key, coordinated items. A scarf, a belt and pocket square, and a hat. You don’t have to go big to make a big impact!
14. Not that I need to tell you this, but please, no shirts with big wording or logos and no white athletic socks with your dress shoes!
Look on Pinterest for ideas!