What to Wear for a Portrait Session After 50

Begin with how you want to feel

Before choosing a color or neckline, choose a feeling. Do you want to feel elegant, powerful, playful, relaxed, romantic, modern, or a little of everything? Your answer creates a much clearer wardrobe direction than a list of rules ever could.

Bring pieces that fit your life and personality. A tailored jacket may express one part of you, while a soft sweater, flowing dress, favorite jeans, or statement accessory reveals another.

Wear the clothes. Do not let the clothes wear you.

Choose fit before size

A garment looks strongest in a portrait when it follows your shape without pulling, slipping, or requiring constant adjustment. Ignore the number on the tag. Select the piece that fits the body you have today and lets you move, sit, breathe, and laugh comfortably.

Try each look at home. Sit in it. Lift your arms. Look at it from the front and side. If you spend the whole time fixing it, it is probably not the right choice for your session.

Use color, texture, and detail with intention

Solid colors keep attention on your face and expression. Deep neutrals feel timeless, while jewel tones and saturated color can bring wonderful energy. Texture, such as lace, silk, velvet, leather, knits, or subtle sparkle, gives light something beautiful to work with.

Avoid anything that makes you feel unlike yourself simply because it seems appropriate for a photo session. Your most memorable look may be a formal dress, but it could just as easily be a crisp white shirt and great pair of jeans.

Bring options and let the story unfold

For the Fabulous Shades of 50 experience, two to three looks allow your portraits to show more than one side of you. Bring more options than you think you need, including shoes, undergarments, jewelry, and meaningful personal pieces.

During your consultation, Marilyn helps you refine the choices so the final wardrobe works with the lighting, backgrounds, and feeling of the portraits you want to create. You do not have to solve it alone.