Clients often wonder where to begin with picking out the right fall wardrobe colors for their family photos. It can be an overwhelming task, especially if you have a large family! Nature gives us those brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds, which can complicate things even more when choosing colors. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that hard. The Graphic Designer in me went straight to work, and I’ve put together a fall wardrobe color guide to help aid you in selecting outfits that coordinate (but aren’t matchy).
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR FALL PHOTO WARDROBE
1. What Colors Look Good on You?
Using the color guide below, start by selecting a group of colors that you know will look good on you and your family. Maybe your skin tones just can’t do mustard yellow or orange. You can either eliminate the color all together from the group or replace it with a similar tone that does work with your skin.
2. What Does your Location Look Like?
Knowing your location ahead of time is helpful because you can go look at the colors that will be present in your photos. If you have a lot earth tone grasses, maybe you want to stand out a bit by wearing brighter colors. Someone in the family may want to dress more subtly, while another person may want to wear that bright pop of color. Or perhaps your environment has very colorful leaves. Choosing navy, green, brown, and gray will compliment the nature around you without competing with it.
3. How to Mix Solid Color and Prints
Begin with a base color and build from there. Dark denim jeans are a simple and affordable start, for example. Select the color group you’d like to work with and put each person in their base color. Two people can even have the same base color (but not all of you because four people in orange pants would be weird). Using the other colors within your group, pepper them throughout the family’s clothing. Dad in dark jeans, an orange and brown plaid shirt with a larger pattern, and a brown vest. Mom in a lighter blue, long dress with a small print. Daughter in an ivory dress with orange leggings. Son in a navy sweater with brown pants. The key to mixing prints is to not overdo it, as it can be too distracting. When in doubt, keep it simple or mix it with a solid. It’s quite difficult to mix a large print, floral dress with a large print gingham shirt, in my opinion. I mean, it can be done, but we’re talking statement piece, high fashion here.
4. Dress in Layers
The weather can be unpredictable this time of year. By dressing in layers, you are free to adjust to the changing temperatures. Kids especially can easily get too cold. For children, I suggest layering a sweater over a shirt; you can even put a quilted or puffer vest over the top of the sweater if it’s really cold. Cute knit hats, scarves, leggings with dresses or skirts, and lined fall boots are also great options.
5. Don’t Forget About Shoes
Speaking of fall boots, shoes can make or break that great outfit you just put together. Imagine this, you get your photos back and you notice only one thing. Not the awesome wardrobe you spent a lot time piecing together, not the beautiful sunset illuminating the autumn trees in the background, not even those gorgeous smiles on your faces. It’s the shoes! Old, neon green tennis shoes and bright pink crocs are staring straight at you. Now there is nothing wrong with these shoes for everyday wear, but in your family photos the shoes should compliment your outfits.
Brown leather or suede is always a good option. If you are looking for something easier on the pocket book for kids shoes, you can go with faux leather or canvas. There are tons of stylish kids shoes out there now. Casual looking gray or brown “tennis” shoes can work, like vans or converse (or something similar). I usually find something at Target that the kids will want to wear again.
Keep these tips in mind, and you will be well on your way to dressing successfully for your fall family photos.
