What to Wear for Professional Headshots: A St. Louis Style Guide

The right wardrobe supports your expression instead of competing with it. After photographing professionals throughout the St. Louis area, I’ve found that wardrobe is one of the biggest factors in creating a headshot people love. Here’s how to choose clothing that looks polished, authentic, and versatile for your professional headshot.

Professional executive headshot of a smiling man with salt-and-pepper hair and a full gray beard, wearing a blue suit jacket, light blue shirt, and pink and blue bow tie, photographed in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
Executive business headshot photographed at C. Berens Photography in St. Peters, Missouri, creating polished corporate headshots for professionals throughout the St. Louis region.
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Your Headshot Outfit Should Look Like You—On a Very Good Workday

A professional headshot does not require a costume or a complete reinvention of your style. The goal is to look recognizable, confident, and appropriately dressed for the people you want to reach. A financial advisor may need a different level of formality than a creative director, realtor, physician, or actor, but every strong headshot wardrobe begins with the same question: what would you wear to an important meeting with your ideal client, employer, or collaborator?

Choose clothing that fits your current role while leaving room for the role or opportunity you are pursuing. When in doubt, bring one polished option and one slightly more relaxed option. A quick wardrobe change can produce images that work across LinkedIn, company websites, speaking profiles, press releases, and social platforms.

Professional executive headshot of a woman with long brown hair wearing a blue blazer and light gray blouse, featuring a confident, subtle smile and photographed in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
Executive headshot photographed in our St. Peters, Missouri studio, creating polished leadership portraits for CEOs, executives, and business professionals throughout the St. Louis region.
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Colors That Photograph Well, usually

Solid colors keep attention on your face and expression. Navy, charcoal, medium blue, deep green, burgundy, plum, camel, and muted jewel tones are dependable choices. The best color is not necessarily the trendiest one; it is the color that complements your eyes, skin tone, hair, and brand.

Black can look modern and confident, especially with separation from the background. White can look crisp but often works best beneath a jacket or layered piece. Very bright neon colors may reflect onto the skin, while tiny patterns can create distracting visual effects on camera.

Professional executive headshot of a man with salt-and-pepper hair wearing a light blue button-up shirt, photographed with studio lighting in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
Executive headshot photographed in our St. Peters, Missouri studio, creating polished leadership portraits for executives and business professionals throughout the St. Louis region.
Professional corporate headshot of a blonde woman wearing a black blazer over a turquoise blouse, photographed with flattering studio lighting in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
Professional corporate headshot created in our St. Peters, Missouri studio, helping professionals build polished LinkedIn profiles and executive branding throughout the St. Louis region.
Professional business headshot of an older woman with blonde hair wearing a red blouse, diamond necklace, and a warm smile, photographed in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
Professional business headshot photographed in our St. Peters, Missouri studio, creating polished portraits for LinkedIn, executive branding, and business professionals throughout the St. Louis region.

Fit, Necklines & Layers Matter More Than Price

Well-fitting clothing almost always photographs better than expensive clothing that pulls, gaps, bunches, or overwhelms your frame. Check how a shirt or jacket looks when standing, sitting, and turning slightly. Make sure collars lie properly and buttons do not strain.

Layers add shape and flexibility. Blazers, structured jackets, cardigans, overshirts, and simple vests can create a finished look without feeling overly formal. Necklines should frame the face without becoming the focal point. Bring a lint roller and transport clothing on hangers so it arrives camera-ready.

Professional business headshot of an Asian man with a neatly groomed beard and mustache wearing an olive green quarter-zip pullover over a gray shirt, photographed in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
Professional business headshot photographed in our St. Peters, Missouri studio, creating polished LinkedIn and corporate portraits for professionals throughout the St. Louis region.

What to Avoid

You do not need rigid rules, but a few choices commonly create unnecessary distractions: oversized logos, dense patterns, thin stripes (or massively thick stripes), wrinkled fabric, bulky turtlenecks, overly reflective jewelry, and clothing that requires constant adjustment. If a signature accessory is central to your brand, bring it; we can photograph versions with and without it.

✅ Great Choices

✅Solid colors

✅Clothing that fits well

✅Layered outfits (blazers, cardigans)

✅Clean, polished shoes (if they’re visible)

✅Minimal jewelry

✅Fresh haircut (within the last week or two)

✅Wrinkle-free clothing

✅Clean glasses

⚠️ Try to Avoid

❌Tiny stripes

❌Busy patterns

❌Neon colors

❌Large logos

❌Wrinkled clothing

❌Bulky scarves

❌Distracting jewelry

❌Clothing that needs constant adjusting

A Simple Headshot Packing List

Bring two to five tops or complete looks, including at least one reliable solid-color option. Pack any jacket, tie, jewelry, glasses, hair products, makeup for touchups, and a lint roller. If you wear glasses, clean them before the session and consider bringing a backup pair with an anti-reflective coating.

You do not have to make every wardrobe decision alone. During a coached session, we can compare options against the chosen background and select the combinations that best support your goals.

  • Professional headshot of a young woman with brown hair featuring blonde highlights, brown eyes, a nose piercing, and a white button-up shirt, photographed with flattering studio lighting in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
  • Professional executive headshot of a bald man with black-rimmed glasses and brown eyes wearing a dark blue pullover over a blue checkered button-up shirt, photographed with studio lighting in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
  • Professional executive headshot of a man wearing a dark gray blazer and light blue button-up shirt, photographed with studio lighting in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
  • Professional corporate headshot of a smiling woman with gray hair wearing glasses, hoop earrings, a gray Louis Vuitton vest, black turtleneck, and necklace, photographed in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.
  • Professional corporate headshot of a smiling woman with a single ponytail wearing a white sweater, featuring bright red lipstick and flattering studio lighting in St. Peters, Missouri serving the St. Louis area.
  • Professional headshot of a young man with very curly hair, large round glasses, and a bright smile wearing a white polo shirt, photographed with studio lighting in a St. Peters, Missouri studio serving the St. Louis area.

Ready for a Headshot That Represents You?

Ready to create a polished image that still feels like you? Explore professional headshot sessions in St. Louis and St. Peters. Explore my professional headshot photography portfolio to see even more examples from recent St. Louis sessions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Very bright neon colors, extremely busy patterns, and fluorescent shades can pull attention away from your face or even reflect unwanted color onto your skin. Instead, choose solid colors like navy, charcoal, burgundy, deep green, or muted jewel tones that photograph beautifully and keep the focus where it belongs—on you.

Yes—but keep them subtle. Small stripes, tight checks, and busy prints can create distracting patterns on camera. If you’re unsure, bring both a patterned option and a solid-color top. During your session, we can compare them together and choose the one that photographs best.

If you normally wear glasses every day, you should absolutely wear them in your headshot. They help people recognize you. Just make sure they’re clean before your session, and if you own a second pair with anti-reflective lenses, consider bringing both options.

Absolutely! Most clients bring two to five outfit options. A quick wardrobe change allows you to create a variety of looks—from polished business attire to something slightly more relaxed—giving you images for LinkedIn, company websites, speaking engagements, and social media.

Simple, timeless jewelry usually photographs best. Small earrings, necklaces, or watches can add personality without becoming distracting. If you have a signature accessory that’s part of your personal brand, bring it along—we can photograph versions with and without it so you have options.

Continue Planning Your Headshot

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📖 Outdoor vs Studio Headshots: Which Is Right for You? (coming soon)

📖 Professional Headshots vs Corporate Portraits: What’s the Difference? (coming soon)

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