First of all, don’t stress
Choosing what to wear is easy for some people, and super stressful for others (hello, my fellow overthinkers). Hopefully this guide will help you narrow your options down, and give you a few key things to keep in mind while you decide.
The most important thing is to choose something you’re comfortable in. Yes, you want to be physically comfortable (and we’ll get to that), but you also want to feel and look like yourself. If you wouldn’t touch a sequin dress for a night out, it may not be the best option for your photos, ya feel me? You don’t want to spend the entire day worrying about how you look, so make sure you feel like yourselves in whatever you choose.
You’ll also want to consider the mood or vibe of what you’re going for. That doesn’t mean that you have to choose between a casual look and something more fancy. I actually recommend bringing outfits that fit both looks. But ask yourself if you want casual, cozy, fancy, dramatic, minimal, etc. Choosing colors that complement the environment without distracting from it are always a good idea, and I’m 100% for earth tones in all settings.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the conditions we’ll be in. Will it be warm or cold? Sunny or raining? Is the ground rough? Is it covered in snow? Think appropriate for the conditions.
Choosing the Right Pieces
Once you’ve got an idea of the look you want, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right pieces.
First of all, certain colors, prints, and fabrics can be better than others. That being said, denim is always a good idea. Cozy sweaters look great in the snow, and a classic tee shirt can keep you cozy in warmer weather. Accessories like hats, scarves, or gloves can add a little extra interest, and are a great way to express your style. For your dressed-up option, a simple collared shirt, sweater, or long sleeve for him, or longer dress for her are perfect. If you want a dress with a lot of movement choose something with a looser fit through the hips and skirt, and lighter fabrics like chiffon, silk, or viscose. In warmer weather, sundresses, rompers, and denim cuttoffs are some of my favorite options. Just make sure that you’re able to move in whatever you choose, because I will most likely have you romping around quite a bit.
When choosing a print, make sure it isn’t too distracting. As a general rule, as long as the print isn’t too busy it’ll be fine, although I generally recommend staying away from stripes and polka dots.
Since we will most likely be outside, I recommend earth tones to complement the environment. Think burgundy instead of fire-engine red, emerald/olive/forest green instead of lime green, navy instead of royal blue, and mustard instead of sunshine yellow. As always, black, cream, grey, and other neutrals are always amazing options to make sure you are the centerpiece of the photo.
Don’t forget to consider footwear, also. You want to be comfortable, and you want your shoes to make sense. I don’t personally recommend wearing heels to a winter shoot, but hey, do you. Snow boots or cute hiking boots like Sorel, Danner, or Timberland are a great way to look good in winter conditions. In the summer, just make sure that you’re able to walk, run, and maybe even jump a little in whatever you choose (but you’ll probably end up barefoot anyway).
Bring all of your options with you and we’ll choose together!
So, wondering where to find all of this? Here are a few shops I recommend: Lulu’s, Forever 21, Roolee, Nordstrom, Madewell, American Eagle, Everlane, Asos, Topshop, Reformation, Poshmark, and of course, your local thrift stores.
