How To Dress For A Parisian Photoshoot
When preparing for a photoshoot in Paris you probably have many questions flying around in your head. One essential question will inevitably be centered around what you and your significant other should wear for your parisian photoshoot. Worry not, I got all of the answers!
Having taken photos of well dressed clients for over five years I know exactly what to look out for. To give this blog a red line that you can follow along easily we are going to break it up into the five categories shown below to help you getting a clear picture.
1. What season are we shooting in?
1.1-Summer
1.2-Winter
2. What colors should we wear?
3. Woman styles
3.1-The dress
3.2-Top/Bottom
3.3-Shoes
3.4-Accessories
4. Men styles
4.1-The suit
4.2-Top/Bottom
4.3-Shoes
5. Disclaimers
What season are we shooting in?
Summer
During the warmer months of the year you pretty much have no restrictions as to what you can wear. Just make sure that you are not too warm in what you are wearing as visible sweat has a noticeable effect on your parisian photos. Whether it is for women or men, airy/light clothing is in most cases ideal for your parisian photoshoot. As there isn't much else to be said about this category we'll follow up with the colder months of the year.
Winter
During the colder months of the year you have to be a little bit more careful with what you are going to wear as being cold during your photo-session affects the results greatly. That doesn't mean that you have to shoot in a big winter jacket to stay warm. Thinking ahead and wearing one or two extra layers underneath your planned outfit is in most cases sufficient. If you are planning to wear something that doesn't allow the presence of extra layers (dresses) make sure to bring a warm coat to the shoot that you can wear inbetween breaks. It is okay to suffer for a few minutes to get the shot in the outfit you want. Just be careful to never be cold for more than a few minutes at the time.
What colors should we wear?
Colors can make or break your photoshoot. Planning and adapting your outfit to the shooting location will improve the results of your photoshoot greatly, think ahead to get the best possible results. A general rule of thumb is to avoid wearing purely Black/White outfits. Black swallows light and white reflects it, neither of them are pleasant to look at in photos. It is of course possible to mute these effects through photoediting as sometimes the couple doesn't have the choice (Wedding Photos) but it is recommended to go with soft/creme/pastel colors for a classical photoshoot. One important thing to keep in mind is to avoid big patterns or brand logo's on clothing as they are very distracting.
For women the choice is much broader than for men as a lot of colors mix well with the feminine body and aesthetic. You can wear a red dress and be an absolute eye catcher, the same goes for men but not for the right reasons. Jokes aside, inspire yourself by looking at your parisian shooting locations and adapt accordingly.
For women and men alike you want to blend in but not dissapear, stand out but don't take over, it's all about balance. If you shoot on the trocadéro platform in front of the Eiffel-Tower you can expect nice photos with every color as long as you wear it with a smile and confidence. For photos in parisian side-streets or café's, muted/creme/pastel colors are strongly recommended as almost all parisian buildings have the same creamy/pastel tone and adapting to that will bring you a long way.
Outfits for women
Fashion has gone a long way since the 1940's. Outfits in all shapes and forms took over the world in record breaking time and getting a clear picture of what is out there and what suits you can understandably be frustrating, especially if you are planning for your parisian photoshoot as you want to cherish the photos for a long time. In this part of the blog we are going to tackle that exact aspect of your parisian photoshoot. To facilitate finding what you are looking for we broke this part up in three parts.
3.1-The dress
The most iconic outfit for a women has stayed the same over the past century and that is for a good reason. The dress has passionated generations of girls through movies, magazines and store windows as it is undoubtedly the quintessential definition of feminine elegance. Coming in all shapes and forms the options are close to endless which can be seen as a blessing or a curse as it is a double edged sword. For that exact reason I am going to list the top three most popular kinds of dresses to facilitate your decision making.
The midi dress
If you want easy choices the midi dress should be your pick. It is stylish and classy but not too over the top while revealing just enough. Easy to accesorize and compatible with almost every shoe and handbag out there, what more can you ask for? It truly is a dress for every occasion. It's shapes and cuts make it a viable option for women of all body types as it adapts to your body and doesn't leave empty space or sits too tight as long as you choose the right size for you. As this blog post is about your photoshoot in Paris I also need to mention that it is also very easy to transport as it doesn't take up much space and leaves room for all the other dresses you may take with you! Yay!
The strapless dress
If you want to spice up your photoshoot by showing off a bit more skin, the strapless dress is made for you. It's main aspect is the lack of fabric around the shoulders which gives off a more revealing aesthetic compared to the more formal dresses out there. With it's generous exposure of skin it accentuates your skintone and upper body. An ideal dress for warm summer days where you want to catch as much fresh air as you can all whilst sunbathing your shoulders (don't forget to apply sunscreen). Just make sure to not have any visible tan-lines as they stick out a lot in the photos.
The maxi dress
For a more formal occasion the maxi dress provides everything you need. Being the longest dress out of the list it covers the intergrity of your legs and smoothes out your whole appearance as it elongates from your shoulders to your ankles, a perfect dress for formal photoshoots. It provides warmth and comfort all whilst looking stylish in every possible scenario. The warmth of the dress needs to be kept in mind when shooting during the summer as it is mostly made out of cotton which can make you sweat a fair deal when shooting in direct sunlight and/or warm temperatures. That said, for fall/winter photoshoots it is an ideal dress as it's natural warmth can be topped off with a light coat as an accessory that provides a little extra warmth all while keeping it's charm.
3.2-The top/bottom outfit
There is of course more out there than dresses. In fact there is so much that we wrote a whole section about it. The top/bottom outfit definitely deserves it's relevance in this blog. Although outfits that consist out of a top and a bottom are widely regarded as more ''casual'' outfits they can still make you look good for your parisian photoshoot. In the list beneath we listed the most popular top's and follow it up with the bottom's that suit it the best.
Top's:
The long sleeve top
Where long sleeve tops stand out is the versatility. It blends style and comfort which also makes it a reliable option for your Paris photoshoot during the colder months of the year. Whether you opt for a classic button-down or chic blouses these sleeves offer a perfect canvas for style. Coming in plenty of designs and colors it is a great piece to shape your outfit to what you want it to be.
The Off Shoulder Top
The off shoulder top is definitely a timeless piece of clothing for the summer months. Coming in varied fabrics, from cotton to satin, these versatile pieces effortlessly transition from casual daywear to evening sophistication. Flattering for all body types, they elongate the silhouette and invite easy accessorizing.
The Cami Top
The cami top gets a prize for simplicity and charm. The appeal not only lies in their versatility and simplicity but also in their ability to accentuate femininity. The subtle V-neck or square neckline flatters the décolletage, creating an elegant and understated allure. No matter what you want to match it with, the cami top will make it work.
The classic button down shirt
For a formal Paris photoshoot the button down shirt got you covered. It can give off a laid back vibe but yet maintain a chic and serious look. Being a timeless classic it works wonderfully with Paris's charming backdrop. On top of that it is easy to accesorize as it mixes well with almost everything you throw at it.
The Jumpsuit
The jumpsuit is a piece of clothing that is often overshadowed by all the other options out there, which doesn't mean that it is a bad piece of clothing though. It offers great versatility as jumpsuits offer a great variety of cuts and shapes. Being able to perfectly taylor your whole outfit to the shape of your silouhette makes it a great choice for your parisian photoshoot.
Bottom's:
Skirts
Skirts are the quintessential wardrobe staple, having adapted to ever-changing fashion trends while staying timeless and versatile it remains a widely popular piece of clothing. Coming in all shapes and forms, the midi-skirts to the wrap-skirts to the pencil-skirts turned out to be the most popular pieces in 2023, just to name a few. With the possibilities being almost endless the choice is truly yours. Coming in a variety on lenghts it is also a great piece if you want to be a little warmer during your parisian photoshoot.
Pants
As we step into the fashion landscape of 2024, the world of women's pants unfolds with a tapestry of styles that seamlessly blend comfort, versatility, and trend-setting designs. Pants offer something for everyone. You want to keep it casual? Just wear a pair of high waist jeans. Fancy something more elegant? Chic trousers will get the job done. We just named a few but there is so much more out there, finding the right pair of pants for your photoshoot is as easy as never before. On top of that not only will pants sit comfortably on you, but they will also make you look taller during your parisian photoshoot. An exellent choice for every photoshoot occasion.
The shoes
In the fashion industry shoes are considered to be one of the most important pieces to complete an outfit. Even though you are not going to walk on a catwalk for a prada show, you still want to look as beautiful as possible for your parisian photoshoot. For this reason we listed five of the most iconic shoes that will most definitely give the final touch to your outfit.
High heels
Of course the first shoes were going to be high-heels. They look elegant and sleek, coming in all shapes, forms and colors it is one of the most, if not the most iconic shoe ever created. They're not always comfortable to walk in but their appearance definitely makes up for that. The few inches that you gain in height are also a nice extra that make your legs look longer in photos. That said, make sure to bring comfortable sneakers with you if the photoshoot requires walking to get to another shooting-location, as hurting feet can ruin your whole experience.
Sling back shoes
The sling back shoe is essentially the high heels little sister. A shoe that combines class, comfort and lets your feet breathe as it is an open shoe is always a good idea for a parisian photoshoot. It can be worn with tights during the colder months to provide at least a little bit of warmth although they are mostly worn during the warmer months. Either way, they look good.
Boots
Having mentioned a more summer leaning shoe before that we felt the need to include a winter shoe. Boots are the perfect shoes for fall/winter weather. They are resistant, comfortable and make you look fancy on top of that. There are of course houndred's of boot types out there which is why it is important to know what style you are going for. For a classical fall/winter look you can go with classical boots with a flat sole. If you want to spice it up with a more elegant boot you can opt for tight boots with a heel on the back which, like the high heels, makes you a little taller and mirrors the same elegance.
Sandals
A shoe that is meant for parisian photoshoots during the spring/summer only is the sandal. If the weather is warm and the sun out sandals are a solid choice for anyone that wants an airy shoe while maintaining a chic outfit. They work especially well with skirts and dresses as they give off a warm and sunny aesthetic when combined with airy clothing.
Sneakers
Many people think that sneakers don't have their place in a photoshoot. Meanwhile it is true that some sneakers have an distracting appearance that takes away your outfit's charm it is all about balance. If you decide to shoot in sneakers make sure that they are low-cut and simple without patterns or multiple colors as to not divert all the attention from the rest of you.
3.4 Accessories
You can consider accessories as the finishing strokes of an outfit, the missing piece to the puzzle. For some people it is a handbag, for some it is sunglasses. No matter what it is, if you like it and want to show it off in your photos, go for it!
Men Styles
A men's outfit is of course just as important as the women's. Before we dive into the different outfit options available we need to mention that color and outfit coordination among the couple is crucial. As Paris is an elegant city we want to mirror that elegance on our clients. Having clients that are dressed in the same color and fashion spectrum is an essential puzzle key for us to get you the most out of your parisian photoshoot. If the women is dressed from head to toes in elegant clothing the man should generally follow along and wear something that fits the feminine appearance. This is of course common knowledge but we wanted to include this disclaimer just in case.
4.1 The Suit
As we mentioned dresses as our personal favorite for a women's clothing choice it is logical that we strongly encourage men to wear something that mixes well with dresses. By that we mean a suit and a shirt. There are many varieties of suits out there but in this blog we will mainly discuss one specific suit and dive into it's different options and styles. The reason why we decided to only mention one suit in particular is because it is the most popular and the one that fits most people the best. You can of course spice it up with some alternative suits if you feel like it!
The Classical Two Piece Suit
When talking about timeless fashion pieces you can't forget about the classic two piece suit. Although the appearance changed in multiple ways over the past century, the elegance of suits kept increasing. The classical two piece suit comes in three variants listed below.
The classic fit
The classic fit suit used to be the most common suit before being replaced by more modern alternatives. That said it still holds some relevance in this day and age as it is still a classic. Characterized by it's relaxed attire it sits almost a little loose on the body, a little oversized but comfortable to wear. If you get it custom made the baggy effect will of course be reduced but a little bit of looseness should always be expected.
The slim fit
Slim fit suits are the exact opposite of classic fit suits. They sit very tight on the body, almost hugging it. It sits especially tight around the chest and waist, too tight for some people as having space to move in is an important aspect of a suit. It is a modern cut that will no doubt give you great results for your photoshoot, but before deciding take a loot at our next suit.
The modern fit
The modern fit suit is the perfect balance between a classic and slim fit suit. It maintains the comfort of a classic suit all whilst keeping the modern look of a slim fit. Consider it as a slim fit with more room to breathe. If you can't make up your mind between a classic fit and a slim fit this one should be your pick.
You can also accessorize your suit with various items such as bowties, lapel pins/flowers and ties. Although we felt the need to mention that ties are often a too formal accessoire that mixes well with official occasions (Weddings), but not parisian photoshoots. No matter which one you end up deciding for, there is one rule that always applies. Combine a good looking suit with a parisian backdrop with us as photographers and you got yourself a nice photo. It's that easy.
Something as important as the suit itself is the color of the suit. Listed below are my top 5 color choices for suits.
Navy Blue.
A suit in Navy Blue is by far going to be the most reliable option as the color mixes well with any skintones and surroundings. Some call it ''The new black''.
Light blue
If you want a little bit more color in your photos a light blue suit will give you exactly that. It mixes incredibly well with other colors, especially red. If you want to see it for yourself head over to our landing page and have a look.
Charcoal Grey
For a formal photoshoot charcoal grey is good pick. It is a subtle yet flattering color that makes a good job with blending in with it's surroundings all whilst maintaining the focus on you.
Light Grey
A light grey suit can be worn for formal as well as casual photoshoots. It's lightness gives off a laid back attitude that works well with parisian ambiences.
Brown/Beige
The brown/beige color spectrum is by far my favorite as earthy tones are very pleasant to look at. Since Paris already naturally consists out of these colors it is a perfect pick for a parisian photoshoot.
4.2 Top/Bottom Outfits
Although we put the suit as first pick, there is of course much more out there as a good assemble of more casual outfit pieces will bring you a long way. With the amount of variety in the fashion world today, creating your photoshoot outfit shouldn't be an issue any longer. Below we listed 5 of the most popular top and bottom pieces for men as to facilitate the decisions.
Top's
The Shirt
Timeless classics are classics for a reason. Shirts just look good. Whether you want to wear it for a formal or a casual photoshoot the shirt won't dissapoint. Being able to combine it with almost every clothing piece out there creates great diversity for you to capitalize on.
The Teeshirt
You can see a teeshirt as a supporting pillar for a great variety of outfits. As it can be combined with open shirts, jackets, or just serve the purpose of being anti scratch for scratchy sweaters, it can be used for a lot of settings. Of course it can also be worn on it's own as classics work perfectly on their own.
The Polo Shirt
If you want to keep things casual but yet maintain a somewhat formal attire the polo shirt is for you. It is a perfect fit for warm summer days. If you are having difficulty to decide between a teeshirt and a shirt the polo should be your pick.
The Sweatshirt
There aren't many pieces of clothing that can guarantee a very chic appearance and cozy comfort at the same time, sweatshirts do that without breaking a sweat. It is an ideal piece for parisian spring/fall photoshoots as it reflects the cozy parisian vibe all whilst staying elegant, fully adapted to it's surroundings. Sweaters come in all kinds of different shapes and forms, finding the one that suits you the best may take some time but is worth the effort.
Jackets
We kept jackets for the very last as they are usually not worn during the photoshoot. That said you of course wear a jacket of your choice. Just make sure that your jacket mixes well with the rest of your outfit and your partner's. The size of the jacket should also be taken into consideration as you don't want it to be too voluminous.
Bottoms:
Although there are a lot of options for men to wear, we are only going to mention two of them as the rest is not a good match for a parisian photoshoot. A lot of pants for men are too casual which doesn't mix well with a parisian background which is why we kept the selection very minimalistic.
Chino Pants
In terms of style and elegance you won' find anything better than chinos. They keep the chicness of suit trousers and remove the stuck-up style that comes with them. Whether you want it casual or formal, chinos can do it all. They are lightweight, have slim cuts and come in a multitude of fabrics which makes them perfect for any season. Taking all these factors in consideration it is safe to say that there is simply no better option for men. If you want to look good for your photoshoot take this advice into consideration. Never wear jeans or shorts to a photoshoot in Paris.
Corduroy Pants
A more casual but yet very chic option are the corduroy pants. They come in relatively wide cuts and have a lot of breathing room. Being made from cotton with extra layers to give it that special look they are considered as warm clothing, keep that in mind if you are planning to shoot on a warm summer day. That said, they are a perfect match for moody fall/winter photoshoots and won't dissapoint you in terms of style and warmth.
Shoes
Just like for women, the choice of the shoes is important. The choices aren't as broad as for women but definitely sufficient to complete your outfit. In the list below you'll find our top three shoes for your photoshoot.
Dress Shoes
If you haven't noticed it yet, we strongly encourage our clients to dress up in the most elegant clothing available. For this reason it shouldn't be no surprise that dress shoes are first on the list. They are sleek and mix incredibly well with a suit and chinos. Getting the right size is crucial for these kind of shoes as you want to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible in them as to not hurt your feet. Keep that in mind when you decide for the right shoe.
Sneakers
Sneakers of course also deserve to be on the list. They are not as fancy as dress shoes but are way more comfortable and depending on the shoe can look very elegant as well. Just make sure to not wear sneakers that are overly accessorized or colorized as it pulls the attention from what really matters, you.
Boots
Boots are a reliable shoe for photoshoots during the fall/wintery months of the year. They add to the whole cozy winter feeling and keep you warm at the same time which is an important element when shooting in cold temperatures. A few of my clients had boots as a partner look and looked extremely cute so keep that in mind.
5.Disclaimers
Now you should have a clear image of what the clothing possibillities are for your parisian photoshoot. Although we covered a lot in this blog post there are a lot more choices out there than what we listed. Even though we encourage our clients to always wear the most elegant clothing available it is also important to wear something that represents you as a person and that you feel comfortable in. For any questions feel free to send us a message, we're always happy to help.
