Help! What to wear for a business portrait? UPDATED with results - YouLookFab Forum

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Help! What to wear for a business portrait? UPDATED with results

MsMary

Veteran

For reasons that are too stupid to go into, I am going down to the JC Penney portrait studio this afternoon for a "business portrait" session. I'm thinking my "bee" blouse (photo 1) would be a good choice, along with a jacket. But which jacket? I love my black blazer (photo 2) but I'm concerned it might be too harsh against my face. Do you think the GAP navy blazer (photo 3) would be better? And while I'm dithering, might the ivory blouse with a lower v-neck (photo 4) be better? Or even a print blouse (photo 5)?

Help! I need to look Verra Serious and Verra Competent.

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33 replies

Latest reply was from JR

Jjsloane

Veteran

I love your bee blouse and would prefer it with the navy, however if you think you'll have this photo for a long time I prefer the neckline of #4. Patterns are difficult in photos and would date the photo more I think.

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, this is my totally biased viewpoint: for VS and VC, I would not wear a PB blouse. I think it is a little frilly and will be a dated look eventually (depending on where this photo is going and whether it will be in circulation for a while). I would go for something a little less trendy.

Just my humble opinion! And in the interests of full transparency, disclosing that I'm not a big PB lover though you and other YLFers rock them beautifully.

catgirl

Veteran

Do you have any scoopneck shells or other tops with a less strong neckline, to wear under a jacket? I know you don't want to look like EVERYONE ELSE, but I bet you can come up with something that is timeless and still you!

Anonymous

Mary, I think you should go for a simple button down, in a flattering color, and one of those tweed jackets you have. I am not opposed to the bee blouse but I go for a more timeless look for this kind of mugshots lol.

MsMary

Veteran

Good point about the trendiness of PB blouses, however I'm not all that concerned about posterity. I need it for this one particular thing about which I don't really want to talk, and not too worried about it hanging around forever.

That said, I was thinking about the Nexx hibiscus blouse with the navy blazer. Does that seem too bright?

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catgirl

Veteran

Can we see it? I think bright is a good way to keep it "you"!

ETA: I see the picture and yes, I think it would work! Is it a full body shot seated, or just a head shot?

MsMary

Veteran

I'm thinking head shot only.

MsMary

Veteran

Or I could do the KS tweed jacket with a plain black or white scoopneck, but I thought that would surely look too trendy and/or easily dated.

ETA: I dunno. I think the look in this photo is pretty great...

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catgirl

Veteran

I actually love the entire last outfit, if you want to go with classic black and white. It's pretty, professional and on trend without being trendy, IYKWIM.

Midwest Girl

I think the navy blazer with the blouse in #3 would be very flattering for a head shot. If you decide to go with a black jacket, I would pick the tweed jacket.

Jonesy

Veteran

I love the idea of the KS tweed with the white blouse underneath as shown--extremely put together, in other words, Verra Serious and Verra Competent!!

MaryK, I am excited for whatever professional opportunity is requiring this fancy head shot :)! Keep kickin' it, MaryK style!!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

They all look great except the last one is more trendy with the print. The others are more neutral and timeless.

ETA -- LOVE your Chanel-inspired outfit. When I said "the last one" I wasn't referring to this outfit, I was referring to the first set.

Good luck with this new opportunity!

Anonymous

This may be too late to help, but we recently had to have photos done and suggestions were to not wear prints or black, but brighter colors. I'd wear a jacket and pearls with a V neck, something like #3.
Edit: I just went back to read the responses and found your other outfit pictures. Love the KS tweed jacket outfit! I hope you went with that one. It's not enough black to be harsh and a classic.

christy

Veteran

I'm weighing in because I did one about a year ago that looked terrible. I thought I'd stick with a white button down and charcoal pinstripe pantsuit. Yech! - so blah!

With that in mind, I love the Nexx blouse (maybe with the navy blazer?) or the Kate Spade outfit. While the Kate Spade is black/white it has texture and is interesting to look at. Good luck! And tell us which one you chose!

MsMary

Veteran

Wow, I am so glad I asked! I googled "business portraits" and have been looking at samples, and it turns out the ones I like best are indeed the ones that are less boring. I think I am going to take both the Nexx blouse/navy blazer and the KS jacket and see which turns out best.

I also have decided that very minimal jewelry looks best, so I think I will wear my diamond or pearl stud earrings and call it a day.

But by all means keep those suggestions coming. I'm not leaving for a couple of hours yet...

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, I love the KS tweed jacket outfit--that would be a great choice! What about the Nexx blouse AND the tweed jacket--would that go together at all? Then you'd have color and the great jacket too! Good luck with the head shot--I'm sure you'll rock it!

BTW--I wore a PB blouse for my business shot! Hope that won't make me dated!

Deborah

Veteran

Mary my preference is for your tweed jacket. You always look amazing in it and sit seems to photograph well. Having said that, a little color would look good too.

Anonymous

Love the last outfit, with the KS tweed jacket.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think it depends on what the background color is... my first reaction was hibiscus all the way, so I'm glad you're bringing it. A bright color would keep you from blending into the background if it's white/beige/soft blue like my school portraits used to be...

JR

Veteran

I'm too late to give a useful opinion, but can I say that I really love that hibiscus blouse and flowered skirt on you? Wow...

MsMary

Veteran

Thanks so much for all the help, ladies! Here are the shots I finally selected! What do you think?

P.S. Natalie, you look like a beautiful rose among the thorns! LOL

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lamireille

Those all look great! My favorite is #3... your smile has that something extra in it in that one. But I like them all--lucky you for being so photogenic!

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I like #1 and #3 the best - you look really good MaryK! Sounds like a royal hassle, having to rush down to JC Penney and get these photos taken, but you *do* look "verra verra serious and competent" (not to mention fab and beautiful too!).

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Cellular reception here in the desert isn't very good and I think you've got this figured out. My first choice was #3 because the navy blazer is professional and the polka dot blouse gave a friendly, lighthearted and approachable vibe. You exude this in anything you wear and your professionalism will shine through no matter what. You made it happen and that's what counts.

MNsara

Veteran

Wow, they turned out great!! I'm pretty happy you paired the hibiscus with the KS tweed, because as I read the saga, that combo was on my mind (and it's my fave of the four

You look "Verra Serious and Verra Competent" in a beautiful way!

Anonymous

Of your photos, #3 is my favorite with #1 a close second.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

You look fabulous, MaryK. I'd trust you with my business! I love #1 and 3 the most!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Great photos! They came out so nice! I love #1 followed closely by #3! So glad you paired the hibiscus with the tweed--it gives you a rosy glow! #3 is great too with the gold accent on the scarf. You've got a great smile--you're very photogenic. And you look very professional and competent, yet warm too. Let us know which one you pick!

Scarlet

Veteran

These turned out great! I like 1 and 4 the best for a serious professional thing. You look charming in 3, but to say "collegial, yet ass-kicking" I would go with 4.

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