What to Wear for a Professional Headshot: Colours and Outfits
Updated · 4 min read
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Your clothes take up a large part of a head-and-shoulders portrait, and they say a lot before anyone reads your title. The good news is that the rules are simple. Here is what to wear, colour by colour and industry by industry.
The rules in one minute
- Dress one step above your everyday work outfit. Think of what you would wear to meet an important client or to a final interview.
- Choose solid colours. They keep attention on your face.
- Make sure it fits at the shoulders. In a headshot, shoulders and neckline are all people see of your clothes.
- Keep accessories minimal. Nothing should compete with your eyes.
- Contrast with the background. A dark top on a light backdrop, or a lighter top on a dark one.
The best colours for a headshot
| Works well | Use with care | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Navy, charcoal, slate grey | Black (can look harsh and lose detail) | Neon and fluorescent colours |
| Burgundy, plum, forest green | Pure white (can overpower the face) | Small checks, fine stripes, houndstooth |
| Soft blue, teal, camel | Bright red (draws the eye) | Large logos and printed text |
| Cream, light grey under a jacket | Colours close to your skin tone | Shiny or reflective fabrics |
Blue is a safe choice for almost everyone: it reads as trustworthy and works on most skin tones and backgrounds. If you have very fair skin, avoid pale colours that wash you out. If you have deep skin tones, jewel tones and crisp mid-tones look great.
What to wear for your industry
The right outfit depends on what people in your field expect. Use this as a starting point:
| Industry | Typical outfit | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate, finance, law | Dark suit or blazer, shirt or blouse, optional tie | Classic and tailored. Choose a sober tie without a busy pattern. |
| Tech | Blazer over a T-shirt or knit, or a smart shirt without a tie | Clean and modern rather than formal. |
| Creative, marketing, media | Smart casual with personality: a coloured knit, a textured jacket | One distinctive detail is enough. |
| Academia, research | Shirt or blouse, knit or unstructured jacket | Approachable and credible. |
| Luxury, hospitality | Impeccably fitted, refined fabrics, minimal jewellery | Fit and quality matter more than colour. |
| Industrial, engineering | Smart shirt or polo, optional jacket | Practical but neat. |
In LinkPro, these industries and wardrobe styles (Formal, Business Casual, Creative/Modern, Casual) are choices you make in the app, so the headshot matches the role you want.
Necklines, collars and fit
- V-necks and open collars lengthen the neck and frame the face. They suit most face shapes.
- Crew necks work well under a blazer, less well on their own if you have a round face.
- Collars should sit flat. Iron your shirt; a crumpled collar is very visible in close-up.
- Jackets add structure to the shoulders and make almost any outfit look more professional.
- Fit beats brand. A jacket that is too wide at the shoulders looks borrowed. Too tight, and buttons pull.
Glasses, jewellery and accessories
- Glasses: wear them if you wear them every day. Clean the lenses and tilt the frames very slightly down to reduce reflections.
- Jewellery: small earrings, a simple chain or a watch are fine. Avoid large statement pieces that catch the light.
- Ties and scarves: solid or very subtle patterns only.
- Hats and sunglasses: leave them out unless they are part of your professional identity.
Hair, grooming and make-up
- Get a haircut about a week before, so it looks natural rather than freshly cut.
- Trim or shave a beard a day or two before, and keep the neckline clean.
- Use matte products: shine on the forehead and nose shows up strongly in photos.
- Keep make-up close to what you wear to work, slightly more defined if anything.
Does it matter with an AI headshot?
With an AI headshot app, your wardrobe is part of the art direction. In LinkPro you pick a wardrobe style along with your industry and backdrop, so you don’t need to own a suit to get a formal portrait. Your face, hair and accessories still come from your guided selfies. Groom as you would for a real shoot, wear your usual glasses, and take your selfies in good light (see our guide to taking a professional headshot).
Checklist before you shoot
- Solid colour that contrasts with the background
- Clean, ironed, fits at the shoulders
- No logos, fine patterns or shiny fabrics
- Glasses cleaned, jewellery minimal
- Hair and beard groomed, matte skin
- An outfit you would wear to an important meeting in your field
Frequently asked questions
What colour should I wear for a headshot?
Solid, mid-tone or dark colours work best, such as navy, charcoal, burgundy, forest green or a soft blue. They keep attention on your face and suit most skin tones. Pick a colour that contrasts with the background.
Can I wear white in a headshot?
Pure white can lose detail and draw the eye away from your face, especially in bright light. Off-white, cream or light grey under a jacket is safer. A white shirt under a dark blazer works well.
Can I wear patterns in a professional photo?
Avoid small, tight patterns such as fine stripes, checks or houndstooth, which can shimmer on screens. Large, subtle textures are fine. When in doubt, choose a solid colour.
Should I wear my glasses in my headshot?
If you wear glasses every day, wear them in your headshot so people recognise you. Clean them and tilt them very slightly down to reduce reflections.
Do I need a suit for my LinkedIn photo?
Only if a suit is what people in your field wear to meet clients. In tech, creative and many academic roles, a well-fitting shirt, knit or blazer without a tie looks more natural. With an AI headshot app such as LinkPro, you choose the wardrobe style in the app.
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