What to Wear for Professional Headshots: Men's Guide

What you wear in your headshot shapes how people perceive your professionalism, competence, and trustworthiness. The right outfit makes you look polished and approachable. The wrong one distracts from your face or sends unintended messages.

Here's exactly what to wear—and what to avoid—for men's professional headshots.

Quick Reference: Headshot Attire by Industry

Industry	Recommended Attire	Colors
Finance/Law	Suit and tie	Navy, charcoal, black
Corporate	Suit or blazer with dress shirt	Navy, gray, burgundy
Tech/Startup	Blazer with button-down or quality polo	Blue, gray, earth tones
Creative	Stylish casual or smart casual	Bold colors acceptable
Healthcare	Dress shirt or white coat	Blue, white, light colors
Real Estate	Suit or blazer, open collar okay	Navy, gray, warm tones

The Foundation: Dress One Level Up

The golden rule: dress one level above what you'd wear to work daily.

• If you wear jeans and a t-shirt daily → wear a blazer and button-down
• If you wear business casual → wear a suit without tie
• If you wear suits daily → wear your best suit with a quality tie

Your headshot represents you at your professional best, not your everyday average.

Colors That Work

Certain colors photograph better and create stronger impressions:

Best Choices

• Navy blue: Universally flattering, projects trust and competence
• Charcoal gray: Sophisticated, works for any industry
• Burgundy/deep red: Adds warmth, shows confidence
• Forest green: Distinctive without being distracting
• Light blue: Approachable, great for dress shirts

Colors to Avoid

• Bright white: Can wash out your face and create harsh glare
• Black: Can look too severe, absorbs light (dark charcoal is better)
• Neon or bright colors: Distracting, reflects onto your skin
• Pale pastels: Can look washed out, especially on camera

Suit and Blazer Guidelines

Fit Is Everything

A well-fitted $200 suit looks better than an ill-fitting $2,000 suit. Key fit points:

• Shoulders: Seam should sit at the edge of your shoulder bone
• Chest: Button should close without pulling
• Sleeves: Should show 1/4 to 1/2 inch of shirt cuff
• Collar: Shirt collar should be visible, not hidden by jacket

Blazer vs. Suit Jacket

Either works for most professional headshots. Blazers offer more flexibility—you can pair them with dress shirts or quality casual shirts. Suit jackets look more formal and traditional.

To Tie or Not to Tie

• With tie: Finance, law, traditional corporate, formal industries
• Open collar: Tech, creative, real estate, modern corporate
• When in doubt: Bring both options and try each

Dress Shirts

Best Options

• Solid light blue or white (not bright white)
• Subtle patterns like small checks or thin stripes (if they don't create moiré effect on camera)
• Spread or point collar—both work well

Collar Considerations

• Spread collar: Modern, works with or without tie
• Point collar: Traditional, best with tie
• Button-down collar: More casual, better for tech/creative industries

What to Avoid

• Short-sleeve dress shirts (they look unfinished)
• Overly bright or shiny fabrics
• Heavily patterned shirts that compete with your face

Industry-Specific Recommendations

Finance, Law, Consulting

These industries expect traditional professional attire:

• Dark suit (navy or charcoal) with conservative tie
• White or light blue dress shirt
• Minimal accessories
• Classic, timeless look over trendy

Tech and Startups

More flexibility, but still professional:

• Blazer with quality button-down, open collar
• High-quality polo under blazer can work
• Skip the tie unless you're C-suite
• Avoid looking like you're trying too hard—authenticity matters

Creative Industries

Show personality while maintaining professionalism:

• Interesting blazer or jacket
• Quality casual shirts acceptable
• Black turtleneck is a creative classic
• Express personal style—but still look put-together

Healthcare

Trust and approachability matter most:

• White coat is optional—depends on your role and preference
• Light blue dress shirt projects calm and trust
• Avoid overly formal looks that create distance
• Clean, neat appearance is essential

Real Estate

Approachable yet professional:

• Suit or blazer, often without tie
• Warm colors work well (navy, burgundy)
• Smile is important—dress to support an approachable expression
• Avoid looking too formal or intimidating

For more details, see our guide on real estate agent headshots.

Grooming Checklist

Your clothing is only part of the equation. Don't forget:

• Hair: Get a haircut 3-7 days before (not the day of—too fresh looks unnatural)
• Facial hair: Trim beard/stubble, or clean shave. Commit to one look
• Skin: Moisturize the night before. Blot any shine before shooting
• Eyebrows: Trim any wild hairs
• Nails: Clean and trimmed (hands may appear in some shots)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wrinkled Clothing

Nothing ruins a professional photo faster than wrinkles. Steam or iron everything the day before. Bring clothes on hangers if traveling.

2. Visible Logos or Text

Brand logos distract and can date your photo. Keep clothing logo-free.

3. Thin Stripes or Busy Patterns

Fine stripes create a moiré effect on camera—a distracting wavy pattern. Stick to solids or very subtle patterns.

4. Ill-Fitting Clothes

Too tight looks uncomfortable. Too loose looks sloppy. Get proper fit, even if it means tailoring.

5. Glasses Glare

If you wear glasses, bring them—but also bring contacts or a second pair. Glare can be problematic. Anti-reflective coating helps.

6. Clashing Colors

Coordinate, don't clash. When in doubt, keep it simple with navy/white or gray/light blue combinations.

What to Bring to Your Session

Even for AI headshots where you upload existing photos, these tips apply to the photos you take:

• 2-3 outfit options (you can try different looks)
• Lint roller and small sewing kit
• Extra tie if you're unsure whether to wear one
• Glasses and contacts (try both)
• Matte powder to control shine
• Breath mints (confidence matters)

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wear a tie in my headshot?

It depends on your industry. Finance, law, and traditional corporate roles typically expect ties. Tech, creative, and modern companies often prefer open collar. When in doubt, match what executives at your target companies wear in their LinkedIn photos.

Can I wear a black suit?

Black can look harsh and absorb too much light. Dark charcoal or navy are better choices—they read as "dark suit" without the stark contrast issues of pure black.

What if I don't own a suit?

A well-fitted blazer with a quality dress shirt works for most industries. Only traditional corporate, finance, and law truly require a full suit. A navy blazer is a versatile investment that works for headshots and many other occasions.

Should I match my company's dress code exactly?

Dress one level above daily dress code. Your headshot represents your professional best, not your Tuesday afternoon. Even at casual companies, a blazer and button-down elevates your image appropriately.

How important are the colors I wear?

Colors significantly impact how you're perceived. Navy projects trust, gray shows sophistication, burgundy adds warmth. Bright colors distract; dark neutrals frame your face. Choose colors that complement your skin tone and convey the right message for your industry.

The Bottom Line

Your headshot attire should make you look professional, competent, and approachable without distracting from your face. Dress one level above your daily work attire, choose colors that photograph well (navy, charcoal, burgundy), and ensure everything fits properly.

When in doubt, keep it simple. A well-fitted navy blazer with a light blue dress shirt works for almost any industry and any professional context.