Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to invest in your career and update your acting headshots, or maybe you’re getting your very first set of headshots. It’s exciting, but it can also feel daunting. There are still a lot of choices to make, from which photographer to hire, to what package you should pay for. We’ll go into all of that later, but first: What SHOULD You Wear in Your Headshots??

Clothes you love or that you wear in your everyday life might not photograph as great as they look in person. They also might not convey the right look to casting directors and talent agents. But don’t fret! We are here to help you make the best choice. Read on to learn about what to wear in your acting headshots.

Choose Clothes That Don’t Pull Focus from Your Face

You might think wearing something attention-grabbing will help your headshot catch the eye of talent agents and casting directors. Well if it does, it won’t be for the reasons you want. You want to pick clothes that you love and make you look great, but your clothes should not be what’s getting the attention. You can save that for your first Oscars!

A headshot is meant to show your face and your personality. When agents and casting look at your headshot, your eyes should be what pull people in. 

Did you notice the options at Headshot Closet are generally understated, simple, and classic? This is why! 

You may also want to choose long sleeves and avoid plunging necklines. Less skin showing can help direct the eyes straight to the face. Are you noticing a theme yet?

Your Headshot Clothes Need to Fit You Well

You’ve probably already got some contenders hanging up in your closet right now. That is great if it turns out you have something you can already use. But have you gained or lost weight since you bought that outfit? Have you gotten taller? Did you get swole? And as for the piece of clothing itself, did it shrink in the wash or get stretched out over time? 

Don’t be afraid to invest in some tailoring, or buy something new. It should go without saying, but what you wear for your headshot has to fit you well and flatter you. 

Also to keep in mind when it comes to fit: you should wear something on the more form-fitting end. Don’t wear baggy clothes that obscure your body or add bulk that isn’t there. This isn’t necessarily advice to wear something sexy, and definitely don’t wear anything more revealing than you’re comfortable with. You simply want to give people seeing your headshot an accurate idea of what you look like.

Headshot Clothes Should Look New and be in Great Condition

Maybe the options you already have hanging in your closet still fit like a glove. But even so, clothes don’t last forever, unfortunately. The clothes you wear in your headshot don’t necessarily have to be new, but they do need to look new. Pilling, stretching, shrinking, tears, food stains, pit stains, none of that is acceptable in your acting headshot! 

This Fabric Shaver is a godsend for pilling. But if the damage to your garments goes beyond that, time to get something new.

What is the Best Color to Wear for Headshots?

Colors play a huge role in the end result of a headshot. We wish narrowing down the color palette was as simple as saying, “blue works on everyone.” That actually isn’t necessarily untrue. But if you have green eyes for example, a blue shirt might obscure your eye color, whereas a blue shirt might make someone with blue eyes really stand out. 

Your color choices need to take your skin, hair, and eye color into account, as well as the overall impression you want your headshots to convey.

Choose Colors that Complement Your Skin Tone

Let’s consider skin tone first. It’s a great idea to choose colors that contrast your skin tone. So if you have lighter skin, look for dark colors. If you have darker skin, light colors will look great on you. 

Choose Colors That Bring Out Your Eyes

The focal point of your headshots should be your eyes, so it’s not a bad idea to help them pop even more with your outfit’s color. Here are a few suggestions for each eye color:

• Blue eyes: Blues, Pinks, and Grays
• Green eyes: Greens, Browns, Purples, and Oranges
• Brown eyes: Purples, Golds, Greens, and Blues

Take Your Hair Color into Consideration

Choosing clothing colors based on your hair color can also take contrast into account. Light hair will pop against dark clothes, and dark hair will stand out against light clothes. 

“Ok so, what if I have dark hair and light skin, or light hair and dark skin??” Your skin tone is way more important to think about than your hair color. You want casting directors and talent agents to look at your headshots and notice your face, first and foremost. You want, “Wow, her eyes contain multitudes, she looks like she has a story to tell…” Not, “Wow, she has brown hair.” 

With that in mind, here are a few ideas to flatter your hair color:

• Blonde: Blues, Purples, Reds, and Greens
• Red: Greens, rich Blues, and Purples
• Black: Any bold, rich color like Red
• Brown: Earthy Greens and bold Reds
• Gray/White: Blues, Purples, and Reds

What About Wearing Black or White in Your Headshots?

Black is flattering on everyone. You could definitely wear black in your headshot, but, because it’s so universally appealing, it can be a bit overdone. And remember, if you have dark skin, the effect of wearing black in your photos may look a little flat and not draw the eye in. 

How about classic white? White isn’t the easiest color to light in photography. It reflects the most light. And again, if you have lighter skin, white and pastel shades are going to compete for attention with your lovely face. Now if you have dark skin, the contrast of a white outfit can really make you pop in photos.

Clothing Color Can Convey Different Meanings

One last consideration towards color in your headshots: what do you want color to help you express? For example, black can imply power, sophistication, or villainy. Green can indicate nature or jealousy. Red can make you appear confident or aggressive. Blue can come across as friendly, calm, and approachable. 

There are many examples out there of the feelings we attach to color. These also vary by culture. But it’s another consideration to keep in mind as you shop for your headshot outfits.  

What Types of Roles Do You Want Your Headshots to Get You Cast in?

Make a list of the types of roles casting directors might see you in. Could you play a girl next door type? Escaped convict? Marvel hero? Nerd? Those are all really different types, so you can imagine each of those characters might wear something with a different vibe. How can you hint at that in your headshot wardrobe selection?

Notice the use of the word “hint.” Do not wear a costume! This move will make you look amateur, as well as make it harder for casting directors and talent agents to get an idea of what other characters you can be cast as. You’re not only going to accept doctor roles, right? And–say it with us–you want to keep the focus on your face!

Bring Multiple Clothing Options to Your Headshot Session

Depending on the package you book with your headshot photographer, you may get multiple wardrobe changes, or you may just do a quick session with one look. In either case, bring more options than you will use. Make sure that includes some variety in color as well as style. Your photographer will give you feedback on what clothing choices best suit you, and what will work with the backgrounds and sets available to you at your photoshoot.

It’s a good idea to bring layering pieces as well. Dressing in layers can add some interest to your outfit in that subtle way we are going for in headshots. Layers are also a great way to change up a look quickly and easily, helping you to achieve different vibes for different character types.

Your Headshots Need to Look Like YOU

If someone commented on your latest selfie, “This really looks like you,” we’d understand if you weren’t that flattered. BUT, when it comes to your acting headshots, that is a primo compliment. So don’t pick clothes you wouldn’t be caught dead in. 

Pick an outfit that makes you feel confident. Something you’d be happy to wear in your self-tape or show up to the audition in. Heck, you can and should wear literally the same thing in your audition or self-tape. It will help casting remember you later on. Plus, if it looks good in your headshot, it will look good in a self-tape or an in-person audition. Heck, it will look good on your next date, too. Why not?

So it’s important you pick headshot clothing that you love, as you will want to look like that exact same person during the audition process as well.

You Got This!

Okay, you’ve got a lot to think over now. But here’s the most crucial thing: do not become paralyzed with inaction! A lot of actors put off taking headshots for ages, delaying their acting careers, because they agonize over how their headshots will turn out. Not you! You now know exactly what to consider as you choose the perfect outfit for your headshots. 

And if you’re still sweating it, keep in mind: you need to update your headshots regularly. You’ll want new ones in at least a year anyway because again, your headshots need to look like you. What matters most is that you take the step of getting your headshots done. So you might as well take the pressure off yourself and have fun with it! 

Take a look around the site, and get an idea of what could work for you. And if you find something you like, we’ll give you 15% off your first order. Now go get ‘em!