Solid-color shirt or blouseThe fail-safe pick of a national school photo company: a nice top in a single color.
Collared shirt, ironedOne school portrait studio likes collars and wants clothes ironed and ready by morning.
Whole outfit, in case the pose shows itSome poses show pants or skirts, a national company says. The flyer has sample poses.
Any color but green, on a green-screen dayA green-screen photo company says green clothes turn invisible to its cameras.
Full school uniform, where your school wears oneSchools in Essex, Scotland and Queensland ask for uniform on photo day.
Small jewelry, a headband or a bow tieSmall extras add personality, a national company says, if they are not big enough to distract.
Glasses, if you wear them every dayFive of the seven photo companies this list follows say glasses are fine to wear.
All 61 things to wear
The short answer 7
Any color but green, on a green-screen dayA green-screen photo company says green clothes turn invisible to its cameras.
Collared shirt, ironedOne school portrait studio likes collars and wants clothes ironed and ready by morning.
Full school uniform, where your school wears oneSchools in Essex, Scotland and Queensland ask for uniform on photo day.
Glasses, if you wear them every dayFive of the seven photo companies this list follows say glasses are fine to wear.
Small jewelry, a headband or a bow tieSmall extras add personality, a national company says, if they are not big enough to distract.
Solid-color shirt or blouseThe fail-safe pick of a national school photo company: a nice top in a single color.
Whole outfit, in case the pose shows itSome poses show pants or skirts, a national company says. The flyer has sample poses.
Tops and necklines 8
Clothes that fit now, not a size upProper fit looks best, a national company says, so do not buy big for picture day.
Long-sleeved topLong sleeves look nice, one portrait studio says. A Canadian photographer says they stand out.
Outfit you feel comfortable in all dayA grey-backdrop studio says a child who feels awkward in an outfit shows it in the portrait.
Plain T-shirt with jeans or a denim skirtA classic look, says a national company’s preschool guide, for families short on time.
Shirt in your favorite colorA national company suggests it, as a record of who you were at that age.
Simple stripes or a small patternA Calgary photographer lists stripes and simple patterns; one portrait studio accepts simple ones.
T-shirt whose neckband still holds its shapeOne portrait studio warns against scoop necks and T-shirt collars that have stretched.
Top with some detail at the necklineOn a Calgary school photographer’s what-to-wear list.
Colors and the backdrop 6
Any color at all, on a grey backdropOne studio shoots on grey and says no color is off limits there.
Bright colors, if you want to stand outA Canadian photographer finds they draw the eye to the face. One portrait studio avoids very bright shirts.
Coordinated colors for brothers and sistersFor sibling portraits a national company’s preschool guide says to coordinate, not match.
Medium to dark tonesWhat a yearbook portrait company recommends, in solid colors or prints.
Shirt that differs from the backgroundA Washington high school’s student newspaper warns against matching the backdrop color.
Solid-colored pants or skirt that go with the topA national company’s pick for poses that are three-quarter length.
Layers and accessories 8
Denim jacket over a plaid shirtA national company’s example of layering: mixed textures add dimension.
Lace, ruffles or ribbons, on a preschoolerFine for a portrait, a national company’s preschool guide says.
Rain jacket for the trip to schoolIf rain is forecast, a national company says, a rain jacket keeps hair and outfit fresh.
Satin cardigan over a velvet dressA layered look a national school photo company suggests.
Scarf with a white button-up shirtA national company’s way to lift a standard white shirt.
Small bow, ribbon or headbandA national company lets the child pick one. A yearbook portrait company says to keep them small.
Suspenders in a bright colorNamed by a national company among the accessories a child can choose.
Vest or jacket, for a preschool portraitVests, jackets and fun hats suit small children, a national company’s preschool guide says.
Hair and glasses 4
Clip, headband or ponytail that keeps hair off the eyesOne portrait studio asks families to pull a student’s hair out of the eyes.
Haircut that has had a week or two to settleOne portrait studio says at least a week before. A Canadian photographer says about two.
Hairstyle you already know how to wearThree photo companies say picture day is no day for a brand-new style.
Photochromic glasses, kept in their case until the shotOne studio asks for 30 minutes in the case, so the lenses are clear at the camera.
Below the waist 5
Anything comfortable, where only shoulders showA Washington student newspaper says its school’s camera sees the shoulders up.
Nice jeans or slacks, on a free-dress picture dayA Louisville school lets grades 6 to 8 leave the uniform at home for pictures.
Pants, skirt or dress you like, for the wider cropA grey-backdrop studio makes a three-quarter crop and a head-and-shoulders crop of each pose.
Shoes fit to be seen, for a preschool portraitShoes show in the full-length poses a national company takes of preschoolers.
The shoes you already ownA national company photographs school pictures three-quarters up: no need for new shoes.
At a school with a uniform 9
Black or white closed-in shoesA Queensland state school’s photo-day rule, which rules out colored shoes, socks and laces.
Full uniform, even on your PE dayAn Essex primary asks for full uniform in class photos and PE clothes in a bag for afterward.
Hair band or ribbon in school colorsAsked for on photo day by schools in Essex, Queensland and Lincolnshire.
Hair past the shoulders, tied backA Queensland state school asks for it. An Essex primary wants long hair tied up with a plain band.
Plain navy sweater or cardiganPart of the uniform at a Scottish primary, which expects uniform on photo day as on every day.
Regular or chapel uniform, in the younger gradesA Louisville school photographs kindergarten to grade 5 in uniform.
Senior shirt, carried for the cohort photoYear 6 at a Queensland state school wear formal uniform and bring it for the cohort picture.
Small stud or sleeper earringsThe only jewelry a Queensland state school allows on photo day.
Sweater or cardigan, with the blazerA Lincolnshire school asks Years 3 to 8 to have both in school for individual photographs.
Leave at home 14
No busy or complicated patternsA Calgary photographer and a green-screen company both say to avoid them.
No flip-flops on a free-dress picture dayA Louisville school’s dress code for pictures accepts dress or athletic shoes only.
No green, where the photographer uses a green screenLight, dark, striped or spotted, one company says. Another puts a green-screen notice on its flyer.
No hat on a fall picture dayOne portrait studio does not permit hats in fall pictures, though it allows them in spring.
No itchy wool sweaterA national company warns that pure wool turns hot and itchy within hours.
No large bows or decorated hair clips, in uniformAn Essex primary allows only plain hair accessories: no large bows or decorations.
No necklaces, bracelets or chunky watches, in uniformA Queensland state school’s rule for photo day.
No neon topA yearbook portrait company says neon reflects under the chin. A Calgary photographer avoids it too.
No picture-day outfit worn before the dayA national company says to set it aside, hung and pressed, to avoid rips and stains.
No solid white top, for spring picturesA yearbook portrait company asks families to avoid solid white on its spring page.
No spaghetti straps or strapless topOne portrait studio says they can look awkward once the photo is cropped.
No superhero T-shirt, if you want a timeless photoA national company leaves it to the family and suggests saving it for another day.
No sweatshirt with a logo other than the school badgeA Scottish primary does not count it as uniform.
No T-shirt with a logo, slogan or big graphicFive of the seven photo companies this list follows rule out logos, slogans, graphics or text.
What should I wear for picture day? A solid-color top with no big logo, or the full uniform where your school asks for it. These 61 things follow seven school photo companies, five schools’ own notices and one student newspaper.
Read the full guide
Why the backdrop decides the color
A company that photographs on a green screen says green clothing turns invisible to its cameras, though it repairs the picture by hand before printing. A studio that photographs on grey says no color is off limits. A third company prints a notice on its picture day flyer when a shoot uses a green screen, so read the flyer before choosing a shirt.
Lay the outfit out the night before and get dressed last, after breakfast and teeth, a national school photo company suggests.
Questions and answers
What should I wear on picture day?
A solid-color shirt or blouse is the fail-safe choice of a national school photo company. One portrait studio adds that collars and long sleeves look nice, and five of seven companies rule out logos, slogans, graphics or text.
What should I wear to picture day if my school has a uniform?
The uniform, usually the full or formal one. Schools in Essex, Queensland and Scotland ask for it on photo day. One Louisville school photographs its younger grades in uniform and lets grades 6 to 8 choose their own clothes.
What colors look best in school pictures?
Photographers differ. A yearbook portrait company recommends medium to dark tones, a Canadian photographer bright colors, and one portrait studio solids or simple patterns that are not very bright. Two companies advise against neon and one against solid white.
Can I wear glasses in my school picture?
Yes. Five of the seven companies say glasses are fine, and four of those say their photographers reduce the glare. One studio asks that lenses which darken in the sun stay in their case for 30 minutes before the photo.
Can I wear a hat or a hoodie on picture day?
One portrait studio does not permit hats in fall pictures and allows them in spring; a national company’s preschool guide welcomes fun hats. A grey-backdrop studio’s photographers straighten hoodie strings and popped collars before the shot.