What to Wear for Your LinkedIn Headshot (and What to Avoid)
You've booked the session. You know roughly what time you're showing up. Now you're standing in front of your wardrobe at 8am wondering if the navy blazer is too much or the grey shirt is too boring.
This is the bit most people overthink. Here's what actually matters.
Wear what you'd wear to an important meeting
Not your most formal outfit. Not your most casual one. The thing you'd put on for a meeting that genuinely mattered. A pitch. A first conversation with someone you wanted to impress. That register is exactly right for a LinkedIn headshot because it reflects how you show up professionally without looking like you're playing dress-up.
If you work in finance or law, that probably means a suit or a smart blazer. If you're a creative or work in tech, it might mean a clean shirt or a well-fitted top. The goal isn't to look corporate. It's to look like the best version of the person you already are at work.
Colours that work
Solid colours photograph better than patterns almost every time. Busy prints, fine stripes and small checks all compete with your face for attention, which is the opposite of what you want.
Jewel / earth tones tend to land well on camera. Navy, forest green, burgundy, deep teal. They read confidently without being distracting. If you prefer neutrals, mid-grey and camel both work. White can be tricky depending on the background and light. Avoid it if you're unsure.
Avoid neon. It bleeds colour in photos in a way that looks odd even on the best cameras.
What to avoid
Logos. A small brand logo on a shirt is fine. A large graphic across a jumper or a heavily branded item dates the photo fast and distracts from your face.
Clothes that don't fit well. This sounds obvious but it's the most common issue. A slightly too-big jacket or a shirt that pulls across the shoulders reads badly on camera in a way you might not notice in a mirror. If something feels slightly off when you put it on, wear something else.
Anything you don't normally wear. If you've bought something new specifically for the session and you haven't worn it before, you'll look uncomfortable in it. Wear something familiar.
One practical thing
Bring a second option. Even if you're only booked for one outfit, having a backup in your bag takes two minutes and means you're not stuck if something looks wrong once you see it on camera. The sessions are short. You won't necessarily have time to go home and change.
The thing nobody mentions
Your neckline matters more than your outfit. A V-neck or open collar tends to look more natural and relaxed than a buttoned-up collar with no tie. If you're wearing a shirt, try it one button open rather than fully done up. It reads as confident rather than stiff, and that usually comes through in the photo.
