The Dress Code
The Fine Art of Dressing:
Make Your Family a Masterpiece
Visit any portrait gallery or museum where fine art Old World style paintings are seen and treasured, and you will find one thing in common – formal attire is preferred for classical portraiture.
Weddings, special events, attending a gala, or going to a fine restaurant or cocktail party are examples of times you may dress formally. At each of these events, we want to present our best self as we celebrate with family and friends.
We ask you to carefully choose your wardrobe as this is not an “everyday” picture – it’s a celebration of your family that will be passed down through generations, a piece of your family history.
As a custom studio, our backgrounds and lighting are tailored to render your portrait as a refined, distinguished piece of art. Wearing dark tones and clothing without pattern will keep the focus on the face and eyes, not on the clothing. We also recommend your family wear a similar color scheme to tie the individuals together, creating a sense of unity.
This is the most elegant and meaningful portrait you will possess in a lifetime. Styles change over time. For the best results, we suggest you adhere closely to the Dress Code to ensure your portrait stands the test of time.
Below are recommendations for attire. If you are unsure of what to wear or what color scheme is best, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to help you select the best attire for your portrait.
If you are tempted to dress casually, please consider that your heirloom portrait is designed to last at least a century. Avoiding trendy outfits or patterns and sticking with dark, solid colors will ensure the success of your portrait.
Generally, for adults, darker colors such as black or jewel tones are preferred as it keeps the attention on the face. Exceptions to the dark color rule: very young children, special occasion individual portraits (debutante, bridal, etc.)
Other clothing that can be appropriate for your portrait session are cultural clothing or clothing related to an activity (orchestra, dance, horseback riding).
Gentlemen – Dark Jackets (tuxedo or suit), white shirt, tie, and dark pants.
- Well fitting suits or coat/slacks preferred.
- Tuxedos encouraged.
- Freshly shaven (beards are acceptable).
- Dark shoes and dark socks.
Ladies – Dark (black, navy, burgundy, dark green, etc.) dress or gown. Little or no pattern is preferred. Classic jewelry such as diamonds, pearls, etc., are encouraged.
- Formal dresses flatter the figure and have timeless, feminine appeal.
- Tea length to full length dresses and gowns are encouraged.
- Classic pumps or heels with straps in a dark, solid color.
- Understated jewelry – pearls and diamonds.
- Simple makeup but slightly darker on eyes and lips.
- No heavy cover up, concealer, or contouring.
- Nails should be painted in a neutral color.
- It is strongly recommended (but not required) that women get professional hair and makeup done to look their best for this timeless portrait.
Young Ladies – Dark or jewel-toned solid dresses are preferred, but ivory, cream or off white are also acceptable if young ladies are 4 or under. Short or no sleeves are fine for young ladies.
Young Gentlemen – Same as men, or a solid dark sweater. If under 4, a white shirt with bow tie is acceptable. Sweaters/vests are also good options for very young gentlemen.
Flattering Clothing
For a stunning formal portrait start with a blend of rich, understated colors. Add a little dark-on-dark pattern with accessories.
Don’t be afraid to spice it up with a color splash, flattering necklines and tasteful jewelry.
Darker tones work well to simplify the overall look.
To Slenderize: Dark clothing tends to slenderize. Longer sleeves also slenderize and flatter.
When you select an outfit for a family portrait, be sure to think of how it will coordinate with other family members.
Even if your favorite color is green, it will not photograph well next to your daughter’s favorite red dress or your son’s green and white sweater. A better way to go is to pick a color scheme, and keep it consistent through each family member’s outfit.