Choosing the perfect outfit: How to dress for your body type

What to wear? What to wear? The million dollar questions that clients have asked me this question SO many times — how to dress for your body type, shape, skin tone. choosing jewelry and shoes, and so on.

 I have compiled all your most common questions into ONE BIG GUIDE to help you choose an outfit that makes you feel like YOU.  

Question #1 How do I dress for my body type?

When thinking about how to dress for your body shape, first consider how CURVY your body is. Girls on the curvier side can emphasize those fabulous curves with fitted tops that show off your waist. Stay away from boxy or very flowy, loose tops that hide your shape.

If you want to look TALLER consider tucking your top into high or mid-rise jeans/pants to make your legs appear longer. Also look for tops that expose your neckline and make your neck look longer, such as a scoop neck or v-neck. 

Question #2: How do I choose a color?

To find your best colors to wear, you can consider your skin tone, eye color, and hair color, and then match your clothing colors to your natural coloring

QUICK TIPS: There are some colors that look good on everyone!

Taupe, Teal, Navy Blue, Eggplant Purple, Pale Pink, True Red

Do’s when picking out outfit colors:

Do – determine what colors will match your skin color & hair color

Do – determine if you have more warm or cool undertones

Do – choose monochromatic outfit consisting of clothing all from the same color

Don’ts when picking out outfit colors:

Don’t – Mix too many colors.

Don’t – wear crazy or distracting patterns

Question #3: How to coordinate with my loved one?

To simplify things, I will pick two main ways to coordinate well with your babe:

Dress the Same, but Different

You and your babe choose an item of clothing that is the same or very similar to each other, while making the rest of your outfit neutral. One way to do this is to choose a “his” and “hers” jacket. You’ll want to look like you’ve coordinated without looking like you are the same person. Keep Your Babe Neutral

The OTHER way you can coordinate well with your babe is to keep him

neutral. Guys, look for black, white, beige, or a combination of those to

ensure that you will pair perfectly with whatever outfits your girl decides

to wear (even if she changes her mind a few times before our session

date).

Question #4: how do I dress for my location?

Photos tell a story with the help of the location and YOU as the main characters. This is your chance to choose clothes that help tell that story. If you are unsure what kind of outfit would suit your theme, try searching “mountain photoshoot” or “beach photoshoot” on Google to get an idea of what you could wear. You could also browse Nicholas Sparks movie covers. Or just shoot me a message!!!! Don’t forget that Pinterest is also your best friend!

Example: Got a beach session, think light, flowy fabrics that move in the breeze.

Question #5: do i dress comfortable or formal?

I have been asked this a lot, and I ALWAYS recommend a formal outfit AND a casual outfit. But they can BOTH be comfortable!! It’s important that you are able to move around in your formal outfit because you’ll probably want photos of you doing more than just standing perfectly still.

No matter what story you are trying to tell with your photos or what location we have chosen for your session, there is a way to dress it up or down for a more casual wear photoshoot. Whether it’s a long bohemian style dress at the beach or an elegant lace dress in the forest, find what makes you feel beautiful and comfortable.

ALSO, you will already be dressed up for a date night after your photo session with me. So be sure to set something up!!!

Will a long dress be too Formal? Absolutely not! Every girl looks absolutely stunning in a long dress, and this photo session is your opportunity to wear something that you wouldn’t usually get to wear. Long dresses are also surprisingly practical for photo sessions because you don’t have to worry about flashing your underwear when you are moving around and posing in different ways.

If long dresses are still not your thing, a jumpsuit can serve the same purpose. See the middle photo below for an example of how classy a jumpsuit can look in photos. It is also just as practical for moving around!

Question #6: what shoes should I wear?

Choose shoes that are SIMPLE and COMFORTABLE. That doesn’t mean they can’t have a heel on them if that’s the look you’re going for. Find some heels you are comfortable moving around in, whether that’s a chunkier heel or a stiletto. 

Heels can really dress up an outfit, as you can see in the photos below. It’s a great idea to bring an extra pair of more comfortable shoes if you don’t usually wear heels so you have something to change into. 

If heels aren’t your thing, you can still look just as dressed up in flats, mules, loafers, and so on!

Question #7: where can I find the perfect outfit for my photoshoot?

These are just a few options, but there are SO many lovely local shops to check out if you do a Google search for your local area.

My Favorite Brands

Also check out H&M, American Eagle, Aritzia, and RW&Co for photo session outfits.