It’s a Family Thing: Family Picture Outfit Ideas

Since the introduction of photography, family portraits have been a tradition for many. Now that we all carry a high-quality camera in our pocket, candid photos are more popular than ever, but sometimes having a planned family photo can be a charming way to commemorate an occasion.

One of the most common family photos are yearly Christmas photos, but you can take a group picture for all sorts of events. Birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, or family vacations are wonderful excuses to get together and take a picture.

Of course, if you’re taking a special photo, you want everyone to look the part. Most families have some people who are chronically overdressed and others who are chronically underdressed, so choosing a theme or dress code ahead of time can help the picture look more cohesive. There’s nothing cuter than a coordinated theme to family outfits in a photo. 

Looking Your Best in Family Pictures

For some of us, taking photos in general can be stressful. We might feel self-conscious about how the camera captures us, or we may compare ourselves to others in our own family. When you’re old and gray, though, you may regret it if you don’t have pictures of yourself with the people you love.

No matter the theme, you can choose to create an outfit that helps boost your confidence. Pick a silhouette that flows over your body, not clinging or scrunching. While stretch jersey fabrics feel comfortable, they don’t photograph well, so choose a woven fabric with some structure.

Make sure your outfit fits well and feel free to adjust it with a belt or by tucking things in to create a more dynamic shape or more even proportions. Even a boxy t-shirt can be styled in a way that makes you feel more confident, so take the time to style yourself before the photo. Your smile will be even brighter if you do.

Matchy-Matchy Family Picture Outfit Ideas

The easiest way to make sure everyone is dressed to the theme is to have everyone wear the same thing. It takes some pre-planning, but if that’s the concept you want, it’s worth the effort.

Matching Tees

The old family reunion special is matching t-shirts, and it’s easier than ever now with print shops letting you upload your designs digitally. Make sure to order the right number of the right sizes so everyone’s shirt fits well in the picture. You can poll everyone ahead of time in the family group chat.

If you want to create your own custom tees, make sure to enlist the most artistic member of the family to help create a design that’s cute enough to wear even after the photo is taken.

Matching Outfits

If you’re dressing a smaller group, there are other options beyond the classic t-shirt. Many larger mall and big box brands like Old Navy, Gap, and Target have clothing in a wide range of sizes and cuts for men, women, children, and teens.

Classic items like solid color button-downs or cable knit sweaters will likely be available across all those sizes. Sometimes the same patterns will also be available in children’s and adult clothes or very similar kids’ versions of adult designs.

There are even brands that specialize in “mommy and me” or “daddy and me” outfits, so you can find an identical outfit in kid and adult sizes. Having your baby or toddler match you perfectly will, no doubt, make your photos extra adorable.

Unique Family Picture Outfit Ideas

Sometimes you want a more organic look to your photos, especially if you’re dressing a group of mainly adults. 

If you don’t want to purchase identical clothing items for every member of the family, you can choose a theme that everyone dresses to instead. This will give your photos a charming sense of harmony without looking artificially staged. Here are a few ideas to consider when picking outfits for your family photos.

Stick to a Theme

You can think of your family photo themes as party themes: choose something fun to let everyone’s creativity shine through. Pick a theme and let everyone have fun creating a costume or look together.

Maybe you want to do an old west theme and have everyone dress up as cowboys and Oregon Trail pioneers. Or, the theme could be beach vacation. Everyone can wear their swimsuits and Hawaiian shirts with sunglasses. You could also do your own version of the MET Gala with everyone dressed in their very best formal outfit.

A theme could also be based on a beloved book for a film the whole family enjoys. Each member of the family could dress as their favorite character.

An open theme not only allows each member of the family to put a unique spin on a concept, but also lets you show the personality of your family as a whole.

Choose a Color

The easiest way to make a family photo look well-coordinated is to choose a color for everyone to wear. It’s usually easiest to choose a neutral color that everyone will have in their wardrobe. While it’s tempting to pick basic black, a lighter color like cream or beige will brighten everyone up and keep the photo from looking too drab.

You don’t have to limit yourself to neutrals, of course, you can also choose a color that’s representative of your family or important in your culture.

It will be a more visually interesting photo to have everyone wear their favorite shade of the same color. It will be obvious that the theme was planned, but it will allow everyone to pick the shade that best flatters them and makes them feel good.

Pick a Matching Item of Clothing

Who doesn’t love an ugly sweater party? This outfit revolves around a specific item, a sweater, and allows everyone to exercise their creativity in the one they choose. While this is common for winter holidays, there are other items you could choose to match.

Denim jackets are a classic item that many people have in their wardrobes. They can be simple and basic blue denim, but they can also come in a variety of washes and colors. Some people also enjoy customizing their jean jackets with patches, pins, and paint. A jean jacket family photo will look cohesive while still allowing each person to show their creativity and style.

Coordinate a Pattern

Patterns are one of the best ways to add excitement or visual interest to an outfit, and you can also use them to spice up a family photo. Classics like stripes or polka dots are easy to coordinate, but you can also choose more unique patterns that reflect your family’s cultural background.

If you have Scottish heritage, choose a tartan associated with your family clan. If you have Ashanti roots, add a piece made with Kente cloth to your outfit. For families that trace their ancestors back to the Andes Mountains, try adding some Quechua patterns.

Every culture has a rich history of textiles that are unique to that region. You can incorporate one item of clothing in that pattern into everyone’s outfit. Perhaps someone wears it as a shirt, another as a scarf, a headband, or even a dress. This is a beautiful way to create a thread that links everyone’s outfit, but allows individuality.

Or you can simply choose a fun pattern that everyone loves and let them incorporate it into their look.

Seasonal Themes

Choosing a seasonal theme is also a great way to get everyone on the same page. Spring and fall are particularly great seasonal themes that come with a strong sense of visual language. If you can take your pictures in an outdoor setting during those seasons, even better!

For spring, a pastel color palette with soft neutrals is perfect. Floral patterns work well too. Linen shirts, light colored slacks, midi dresses, or flowy skirts in the colors and patterns of the season will look great on every member of the family. Choosing a park or botanical garden as your backdrop will create the perfect spring photo.

For fall, you can take inspiration from the autumn foliage. Deep browns, burgundy, burnt orange, and forest green are beautiful colors for fall. Chunky knits and flannel shirts are perfect at this time of year and can be paired with denim or khaki bottoms. 

You could choose a long-sleeved dress or pair a chunky sweater with a maxi skirt and leather boots for a look that practically smells like pumpkin spice. Take your photos in a wooded area to showcase the trees or at a pumpkin patch. What’s cuter than kids in a pumpkin patch?

Say Cheese in Your Perfect Family Photo Outfit

When it comes time to take the picture, everyone will be smiling brighter if they had fun creating their look and feel good wearing it. These are some of our favorite family picture outfit ideas, but there are so many options. You can choose the theme that best represents your unique family and the incredible individuals in it.