What to Wear for Picture Day

Picture day is a momentous moment for any family—what better way to capture your child’s growth and personality than a yearly photo?

From balancing your child’s comfort with timeless styles to coordinating with school organizers to ensure ideal colors and patterns, the picture day checklist can be long.

Fortunately, Posh Peanut is here to help. In this guide, we offer expert advice on planning for picture day, including essential tips on picking the perfect outfit for boys and girls.

The secret to the perfect picture day outfit is planning accordingly:

• Shop ahead – If you’re worried about whether or not your child has the perfect outfit in their closet already, shop ahead to ensure you have your top pick of seasonal styles and best fits.

• Coordinate and communicate – Communicate with your child’s teacher and the school photographer for essential details like available backgrounds, planned poses, and if pictures will be taken inside or outside.¹

Each school has its own dress code and picture day guidelines—you’ll want to ensure your child complies with these guidelines while still looking adorable and dapper.

Some schools might restrict certain accessories, such as hats or bandanas. If your child’s school typically requires students to wear uniforms, check to see whether they’re pressing pause on uniforms for picture day.

Keep in mind that certain schools have guidelines around appropriate logos and graphics, too.

As for color, ask the school photographer if they’ll be using a green screen as a backdrop for their photos. If so, green tops or bottoms could get lost in the background.

The following picture day tips can help you pull off the perfect photo:

• Try on before you choose – Trying on outfits before you pick the perfect one adds a bit of fun to school picture day for the whole family. Plus, it ensures the outfit you choose fits well and compliments your child’s complexion.

• Prioritize comfort – When your child is comfortable in their clothes, it can help draw out authentic joy and their unique personality.¹

• Check the weather – Check the weather beforehand to account for wind, rain, and whether or not your child will need an additional layer.¹

• Pack a backup outfit – From finger painting to snack time, a typical school day is busy (and messy). Plan for spills and stains by packing a backup outfit just in case.¹

Bright colors can affect the color contrast of your child’s skin, while soft or neutral tones can enhance their features.² Try a few color palettes with your child before you select the best one.

Comfort is essential when it comes to capturing genuine happiness. Soft fabrics that move with your child can help them relax through the process and channel their most radiant smile.

If photos are being taken outside, consider adding a top layer for warmth—a simple sweater or blazer can complement prints and add an extra ounce of style to your child’s look.

Toddler girl dresses in soft colors can channel your daughter's inner princess. Alternatively, jeans and a playfully patterned blouse can bring out her playful side.

Accessorizing is a crucial element of portraiture—the right accessories can bring depth and dimension to your child’s outfit. So, how can you accessorize your kiddo for picture day?

When accessorizing for picture day, minimal is best.² Small and simple additions make sure these elements don’t distract from the focal point of the photo—your child’s smile!

Minimal bows and dainty headbands are ideal little girl accessories. If school photos are being taken outside, consider styles that can keep your child’s hair out of their face just in case an unexpected gust of wind blows through.

While it's important to dress your child in outfits that reflect their style, following a few “dos and don'ts” can help you find the ideal balance between their self-expression and the perfect picture day outfit:²

• Do let your child participate in the outfit-picking process

• Do choose soft colors, jewel tones, or any color that accentuates your child’s features

• Do opt for subtle prints and patterns or solid colors  

• Do select tops and bottoms that fit well

While there aren't hard and fast rules to capturing the perfect picture, considering a few don’ts can help you achieve the best results: ²

• Don’t choose black or overly bright colors, such as neon

• Don’t dress your child in distracting clothes, like ones that feature loud prints or logos

• Don’t choose sleeveless tops with thin straps  

• Don’t opt for over-the-top accessories

Sources: 

¹ Glimmer Images. What To Wear For School Picture Day.

https://www.myglimmerimages.com/blog/what-to-wear-for-school-picture-day?format=amp

² Neyssa Lee Photography. The School Picture Day Do’s and Don’t of What to Wear.

https://neyssalee.com/the-school-picture-day-dos