Passport Photo: What's the best way to dress for this? - YouLookFab Forum

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Passport Photo: What's the best way to dress for this?

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I just discovered my passport expired today and I went to the Post Office to get the form and will have a photo taken in a week or two. Like a DMV photo, it takes extraordinary measures to get them looking any better than a mugshot.

Is there some outfit that looks best in front of the mandatory white background they require? I'm thinking of just sporting a dress shirt and blazer since I have a long neck.

Thanks for your tips!

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

Sona

Veteran

I also suggest some jewelry in your ears such as pearl studs. It softens the photo. Spending time on your hair also helps in my opinion.

K. Period.

Veteran

I like to wear a simple sweater in a neckline that works for me (jewel or v in my case) or classic collared shirt. For either, I wear a color that really looks nice on me.

rae

(website)

Veteran

The only advice I ever received was not to obscure your features with to much hair (though I don't think you will be sporting the Justin Beiber cut any time soon!) and to do your makeup as normal as possible so no one questions your identity at the border.

cciele

Veteran

Basically, try to look like your normal self! Don't wear white either (so as not to blend into the background) and don't wear anything on your head.

Kristin L

Veteran

Like cciele said, don't wear white! Other than that, try to dress/apply make-up like you normally do. Good luck!

Anonymous

Pretty button down in a jewel tone color, natural looking makeup, ( I had said no earrings since I was asked to take mine off at the post office, when I took my picture, but that is not on the US DOS site) along with that pretty smile of yours and call it a day.
See requirements here
http://travel.state.gov/passpo....._5333.html

ironkurtin

Veteran

A bag over your head? I've never had a decent government ID photo in my life. Embrace the wonder that is a terrible ID and you won't be sad when you think yours looks hideous.

You aren't allowed to show teeth, so it'll be a closed-mouth smile. You'll have to take off your glasses, if you wear them, too. I wouldn't wear black, white, or patterns that will strobe, but the photo will likely only show the collarbone up (if that). So a nice pair of earrings and a nice makeup job are your armor.

Good luck and have wonderful travels!

Anonymous

No teeth? I guess I would not have a clue on that since I don't smile in pics lol

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I agree...solid V or round-neck (no crew-necks!) will show you to your best advantage, pay special attention to your hair/makeup, earrings. Good luck!

Anonymous

I was wearing a gold chain for my passport photo and I was told to take it off- it wasn't allowed.

Deborah

Veteran

No advice from me. My passport picture is awful. I think they are trained to ensure the picture is as unflattering as possible:( Just look like yourself and don't worry to much. You are super photogenic .

fashionista

Veteran

A v-neck red sweater on a crisp white shirt with collar showing looks great in white background. And yes spend some time in your makeup and hair than usual as this is going to last for some years and you want to look good always. And yes as Sona said some ear jewelery like diamond/zircone studs would look stunning.

Lantana

Veteran

I was stressed, rushed and entirely discombobulated the last time I went in to get my passport photo. The woman who took it blanched when she saw the result. I look like Peter Garrett ... no, his Dad! Aussies will know how bad that is.

In Australia, when we are IDed for a passport we are NOT ALLOWED TO SMILE, yikes, but you are an actor, so you will be able to fake a smile.

Apart from that, I think a collared shirt should do the trick of setting off your face nicely.

christieanne

Veteran

Just go for super clean. They print the passport photos with a bit of hazy looking film over them now so no matter what you do, it will be odd in the finishing - it isn't you!
The DMV (even in Cali) does a better photo than the passport folks imho.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Just be sure to check the rules. My UK visa photos had to follow strict guidelines about facial expression, jewellery, makeup, etc.

Sylvie

Veteran

If you're handy with photo editing software, you can take your own or crop an existing photo to passport size proportions and arrange them in a 2x3 grid, so they'll print out on a 4x6. Print them anywhere and cut them up into the required 2x2 size.

That way you can be sure they'll be flattering.

I like a white background (nearby wall) and a dark solid colored top when I take my photos.

Aziraphale

Veteran

In Canada you're not even allowed to smile. I look like a terrorist in mine. I recently went on a trip to Disneyland with my husband, kids and in-laws and we spent an entertaining quarter hour at the airport trying to determine whose passport photo was the ugliest.

Doesn't the photo only show you from the neck up? Or is it the shoulders too? I can't remember. Anyway I'd worry less about clothes and more about hair and makeup. A non-white shirt is probably a good idea, and if you've got a long neck then a collar is good too.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I just looked at mine and you can't even see my shirt, it is that cropped above the shoulders. I was wearing a pearl choker and some barrettes and was not told to take them off.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

A pose and outfit similar to your new avatar would look fantastic!