You learn a lot about someone when, during a portrait session, it starts to rain. Really, really, hard.

Kacey hung in there. We laughed and refused to give up!

Fortunately, the rain only came near the end, so we were able to enjoy a truly outstanding session. Kacey worked so hard on choosing the right outfits, and her thoughtful decisions definitely paid off. She looks great, and I couldn’t have had more fun working with her!

And here’s a little behind-the-scenes info: One of my favorite shots is the last one in this slideshow, in which Kacey has her hand on her hat. Great pose, showing some personality and a little playfulness, right? Turns out she was simply trying to make sure the hat wasn’t ripped off her head by some serious wind gusts! It was a kind of happy accident that became a gorgeous image. I love it.

When you’re trying to decide what to wear for your shoot, often I recommend finding a single piece to work around as an inspiration — maybe a child’s dress, a pair of statement shoe, or a piece of jewelry. The same thing holds true for stylized or themed sessions. Find a single concept to start with, and go from there. Don’t try to imagine the entire look at once – you’ll go nuts! Instead, start small and see what happens. If you’re still not sure how this might work, Rebecca has an awesome idea to get you started. Cheers!

Recently I asked our Wardrobe Wednesday fans to give me some ideas about what they’d like to see in my upcoming post, and my question was answered with “vintage” and “retro” and “not costumey” and “family.” I thought, well, that sounds right up my alley! I am so in love with all things vintage and retro…and absolutely love all of the stylized sessions I am seeing lately…so I said to myself, why don’t we put them together? When I have my pre-session consultations with clients, I always give them lots of ideas on props to bring to make their session unique and different. I know this can seem a bit overwhelming to some clients, but I am here today to tell you, it is super easy! It just takes a little bit of creativity and a bunch of Googling, and there you are! Since we are obviously in the throws of summer, I wanted to do something with a summer-inspired theme, and what could be more “summer-y” than lemonade? I started on Etsy and typed in “lemonade” and within about 30 minutes, I had found a dress for the little girl, a flag banner, cute little straws, and the cupcake decorating set. The dress and straws I found first, so that set my color palette. From there, I started imagining things that would look cute (and also be functional) for a family session. Then I headed over to Google, and typed in “vintage soda”, “metal drink tub”, and “pink and green candy.” It was really that easy! In about an hour, I had found just about everything I needed for my stylized session.

Before every session, I always take some time to imagine different scenarios that I might want to try with my clients. That way, I’m not stuck for ideas if they don’t magically pop into my head on site. For this session, I imagined a field of green grass, maybe some little wildflowers (if we were lucky), a lovely tree to hang our flag banner, and my family sitting on a beautiful quilt, surrounded by all things pink, green, and yellow. Cute little cupcakes (that you can bake yourself) topped with the items from the decorating set on a lovely plate…being eaten and enjoyed during the session…maybe even with a little icing fun! Pink soda pop chilling in a bright green metal tub and kids eating candy from the Mason jars. There are so many possibilities with this set up, I could just go on and on!

props for a vintage summer photo shoot - wardrobe wednesday

The wardrobe was inspired by the little girl’s dress and the fact that I knew I wanted something a little bit vintage for Mom. Luckily, I already knew about ModCloth and their fabulous vintage clothing, so I went there directly. I already had my color palette from my props, and since my theme was lemonade-inspired, I quickly scanned through the dresses for something yellow. After finding Mom’s dress, I picked a pop of color for her shoes, and a bit of a retro feel with the owl ring. The boys were fairly easy; I just pulled colors from the outfits I had picked already! Bare feet for kids during the summer is my absolute favorite, so we didn’t even have to stress over choosing shoes. And that’s it! A stylized session pulled together in a matter of hours. You can do it too…it really is amazing what you can find on Etsy and Google! The important thing is to have FUN and enjoy the process…and remember, there are no limits to your imagination.

what to wear for a vintage summer photo shoot

SHOPPING LIST

Props:

Green Metal Beverage Tub | Pier 1 | $49.99

Hard Candy Watermelon Slices | Candy Warehouse | $6

Pink & Green Rock Candy Sticks | Groovy Candies | $1

Fufu Berry Jones Pure Cane Soda | Jones Soda | $18.99

Mason Jar | Ace Hardware | $9.49

Lemonade Stand Bunting | Etsy: Stitchin’netka | $35

Pink & Lime Cupcake Kit | Etsy: The Bakers Confections | $14.95

Lemonade Stand Paper Straws | Etsy: The Bakers Confections | $10

Dad:

Men’s Mini-Check Patterned Shirt | Old Navy | $24.94

South Notch Shorts | Abercrombie & Fitch | $68

Men’s Classic Pique Polos | Old Navy | $12.50

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Slim | Piperlime | $60

Mom:

Sunny Day’s Best Dress | ModCloth | $87.99

Owl Be Ring-ing You | ModCloth | $20.99

Keen on Kelly Wedge | ModCloth | $39.99

Daughter:

Raspberry Lemonade Ruffles Twirl Dress | Etsy: Reimagined Treasures | $60

Flower Headband | Gap | $11.95

Son:

Boys Striped Pique Polos | Old Navy | $7.50

Painter Roll Up Pants | Tea Collection | $29.50

Today it’s about comfort, and realistic summer fashion.

When I was a kid, I was lucky enough to live in a place where I could literally swim every single day in the summer. My wardrobe consisted of bathing suit + something over it + flip-flops or sandals. Not a bad way to spend the summer, right? When I return to the lake, I pretty much go right back to my usual routine – and love every second of it.

This is how I spend my summer. This is how I’d want to remember the summer.

I decided to put together a family wardrobe that could be worn by – or even IN – the water. Be it a lake, pool, ocean — wherever! If it’s hot, no-one wants to stand and pose for photos on a warm, sunny day. Why fight it?

Document the way you really live this summer. Maybe you’re sitting by the edge of the pool playing with your kids. Maybe you’re walking along the beach or skipping stones in a lake. The best family portraits are the ones that capture how you truly spent your summers – not some invented scenario.

Now, don’t get me wrong. You may be able to grab the family and get some shots together, but if the kids get itchin’ for a jump in the water – go for it. My advice – don’t wear anything that can’t get wet…just in case someone gets pushed in 🙂

Happy summer!

what to wear to a family photo shoot by the water

SHOPPING GUIDE

Mom:

For mom, I went with a comfortable cover-up you could throw over any swimsuit. If you want, you can always put on a pair of leggings if you want to have your legs covered, or maybe a tank instead of a swimsuit. Don’t forget to add some earrings and maybe a bracelet. A hat should be on hand in case it’s windy – or you decide to go swimming mid-shoot 🙂

Women’s Sleeveless Beach Cover-up – $11.99 Lands End Canvas

Playa Paisley Wide-Band Halter Top – $38.40 J.Crew

Pure Body Cropped Leggings – $29.95 Gap

Faceted Jewel Flip-Flops – $19.50 J.Crew

 

Dad:

For dad I stuck with basic swim trunks, flip-flops and a breathable, moisture-wicking shirt.

Dri Duck Apex Polo – $28.99 Dicks Sporting Goods

Swim Board Shorts – $34.50 Lands End Canvas

Havaianas Mens Top Flip-Flop – $18.00 Piperlime

 

Little Girl:

For the little girl, I picked out an adorable swimsuit, glittery flip-flops and a matching sundress to throw over the suit if you’d like.

Star Ruffle One-Piece – $24.95 Gap Kids

Floral Crochet Dress – $29.99 Gap Kids

Jeweled Ribbon Headband – $7.95 Gap Kids

Giltter Flip-Flops – $8.85 Gap Kids

 

Little Boy:

The little boy has some casual vintage-inspired swim trunks, flip-flops and coordinating green shirt.

Boys’ Jitney-Stripe Board Short – $31.50 J.Crew Crew Cuts

Boys’ Jersey Polo – $16.99 J.Crew Crew Cuts

Boys’ Solid Cotton Flip-Flops – $14.50 J.Crew Crew Cuts

I’m going to put Rebecca on the spot here and beg her to make this a mini series of what the photographer should wear. With a few weddings on the books this summer, I’m thrilled she decided to first (wink, wink – nudge, nudge) focus on those.

Thanks, Rebecca!

I was so excited when Shannon posted a request for feedback for suggestions on upcoming posts the other week. She did a fabulous job last week with the extended family wardrobe and I wanted to follow that up with the other request specifically for our fabulous photographer followers! I actually thought about doing a post several months ago about photographer wardrobe suggestions but I had totally forgotten about it, so thanks for the reminder, y’all! 🙂

Being knee-deep in wedding season myself, I thought it would be a great idea to start this series of photographer wardrobe suggestions with…well…weddings! In considering the overall wardrobe, it seemed only natural to break down each part and discuss them individually because they all play an integral part in the grand scheme of things. So let’s jump right in, shall we??!!

what a photographer could wear on top during a shoot

When shopping for tops for the wedding day, I always look for comfort first. Stretchy fabrics, designs that hide my “flaws” so that I look my best, and most importantly on hot summer days, breathable materials. The blue tank blouse shown here is a great combination of all of these things. A cotton blend material, ruching around the middle, sleeveless to give you some breathing room, AND…a side zip instead of a button front. For me personally, I have a larger chest area and can’t really get away with button front blouses without being paranoid that at any moment the girls might turn me into the main attraction! So, the side zip option on some modern blouses is always helpful! A great little jacket is one way to layer stylishly for evening weddings when it gets chilly. Again, in a great linen blend material. I actually own this black vest and wear it quite a bit with a simple cotton shirt, similar to the one shown here. I love the professional look it gives me while still being lightweight and very comfortable. Although I typically do wear dark pants with my black vest, I think it’s fun to throw a pop of color under the vest with a cute little cotton shirt of choice. The great thing about all of these tops is that you could mix and match them for many different combinations of looks. The tank with the vest, the t-shirt with the jacket, and vice versa. I always shop with this in mind so that I get more “bang for my buck” and have lots of different options when dressing for the wedding day.

pants and skirts a photographer could wear during a shoot

One of the features I absolutely MUST have in any bottoms that I purchase for the wedding day is STRETCH! I don’t know about y’all, but it’s not unusual for me to be on the floor, on a chair, or anywhere in between trying to get THE shot, and I certainly don’t want to be hindered by my pants…or (for the love of everything holy) have them split down the back! I also prefer to have pants with pockets to hold a spare memory card when I’m running around. And, I also love to have flat front closures…they just seem to be more comfortable overall. Here are some great pants options along with a pair of pin-striped capris for those warmer, outdoor weddings where you still need to look nice. Pair these with the cotton shirt and vest and voila! A super cute (and FUNCTIONAL) wedding day wardrobe. For those weddings where you need to dress a bit more formally, here is a perfect stretch cotton wrap dress. Be sure to pair these with some short black leggings so that you can still get the shots without worrying about flashing your bride and groom!

fashionable shoes a photographer can wear during a shoot

Next on our list, and arguably the MOST important part of your wedding day wardrobe…shoes! All of these brands have come highly recommended by some of my wedding photographer colleagues, so I hope that one of them will be perfect for you. I typically prefer to wear flats on the wedding day but if I were to shoot a very formal event, I would consider wearing a higher heel for the ceremony and then changing into more “sensible” shoes for the reception. The wedge design of these two shoes in particular makes them much more comfortable than the traditional high-heeled shoe to start with, but they are also rumored to be even MORE comfy. Be sure to check out the links for these particular suggestions…the Cole Haan shoe has Nike Air technology embedded into the sole and they have a complete line of “Air” shoes with this same comfort technology. They are a little pricey but then again, so are Nike Air tennis shoes. I know what’s on my list to purchase next!

accessories a photographer can wear during a shoot

Last, but certainly not least, the most fun part of your wardrobe…accessories! As I mentioned earlier, I do tend to stick with darker color clothes when dressing for a wedding but not when it comes to my accessories. This is where I let my personality really shine through. I love to choose one large piece of jewelry, a statement piece, and then go smaller with the other items. Such as this fabulous necklace, I might pair with small diamond stud earrings. Or this gorgeous bracelet (with no bangles, I might add…don’t want to be jangling around in the back of the church during the silent prayer!) with a small, understated ring. And check out this super cool Michael Kors belt! It’s not your momma’s fanny pack! It’s big enough to hold extra cards, batteries, lip gloss, your phone, or whatever you need to keep on you at all times and still look FAB.

I wanted to leave you with a few other items that are a “must have” for the wedding day so that you can be successful AND stylish…and rock those shots!

1. A few weeks ago, I had the brilliant idea to purchase a new pair of shoes and wear them to a wedding the same day. Let me just say that I wish I’d had these little babies stuck in my bag that night. Perfect for your aching dogs after a long day, yet still stylish enough to pull off at a late night reception!

2. A change of clothes…you never know what might happen and you always want to be prepared!

3. A little beauty bag with some back-up cosmetics, deodorant, extra girly items, and perfume…for those days when you need to get freshened up after sweating your bootie off at the 104 degree July wedding with no shade. 🙂

So that’s it! I hope this list will have you on your way to wedding wardrobe success. Happy shooting, y’all!

 

BUYING GUIDE

(Shoes)

Cole Haan Air Tali OT Wedge | $158

Clarks Domino Pip Beige Leather | $95

Seychelles Chirp | $90

Aerosoles Laser Printz Yellow | $60

(Bottoms)

J Crew Premium Stretch Bistro Pant | $88

Boston Proper Paris Fit Classic Trouser | $89

Ann Taylor Loft Ann Olivia Stripe Cropped Pants | $60

Ann Taylor Loft Knit Wrap Dress | $70

(Tops)

New York & Company Ruffle-Front Sleeveless Solid Shirt | $30

Arden B Ruffle Collar Trench Coat | $69

New York & Company Five Button V-Neck Vest | $40

(Accessories)

Nordstrom Michael Kors Leather Belt with Woven Bag | $68

Chicos Tansy Earrings | $16

Arden B Flower Cluster Necklace | $34

Express Beaded Stretch Bracelet | $35

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  • May 25, 2011 - 6:47 pm

    Alesa - Thank you for pointing out that you don’t have to wear all black when you are the wedding photog.ReplyCancel

  • May 25, 2011 - 6:53 pm

    Meg - Might I add that TOMS are GREAT shoes to wear when you are shooting a wedding. My favorite are the black glitter ones. They are super comfortable.ReplyCancel

Have you ever seen a little girl with a bigger smile? Nora, who recently turned 8 months old, was a such a doll during this shoot. I had planned on getting some shots of her in the grass, but it turns out she’s not a fan of the green stuff 🙂 No worries – she has no problems sitting just about anywhere else. Especially if her singing friend is sitting with her!

This is a family with a ton of personality and style. Mom has a fun, incisive blog (you should definitely check it out – especially this post with the adorable photos), and I had a great time with them.

What excites me most on this session was Nora’s remarkable expressive nature. She has gorgeous eyes and has the ability to convey a depth of emotion with a range of faces. Big smile, or seemingly stern and serious, she seems wise beyond her eight months!

Heather, Michael and Nora, I hope you enjoy!

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  • May 20, 2011 - 9:59 pm

    Erin - Love the one of them kissing with her looking up…definitely a moment you can’t script and so beautiful that you captured it.ReplyCancel

I would love to say that I’m cool enough to have known about fascinators prior to Friday, April 29th 2011 at approximately 5:00 am EST (peek guest arrival time for the Royal Wedding), but I can’t. I absolutely, positively had never even HEARD the term before. I hope I’m not the only one who feels this way 🙂

Since this was my week at Wardrobe Wednesday, I felt like it was my duty to help pass along as much information as possible about the wonderful world of fascinators. Since I clearly don’t know squat – other than they look adorable and would be PERFECT additions to a photo shoot wardrobe – I needed to find someone who had experience in this area. Enter Stephanie Albao of A Vintage Vibe. She’s here to get us all up to speed on fascinators – AND – she has a very special shop discount for WW fans. Be sure to check out the details at the bottom of the post!

Enjoy 🙂

 

Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed the trend of many of my clients being interested in and asking for a vintage or retro-style portraiture. I’m the owner of Intuitive Images Photography – a lifetsyle and portrait photography business in Orange County, CA. I threw myself into that request, and now do many retro style sessions, including Pin-Up sessions.

 

In styling these sessions, I looked for the appropriate accessories and hair pieces that were able to look vintage and modern at the same time – and came up with nothing. Don’t get me wrong – there are plenty of hair accessory options out there – but unless you can search for and find true vintage pieces, it’s difficult to find accessories that really are a true nod to the era that still work in a modern setting.

So, I partnered with my good friend and avid swing dancer, Claire Pedroza, and we started creating. Using actual vintage hats and accessories (of which Claire has an extensive collection) as inspiration, we began assembling materials from as far away as London to put together quality pieces. (For those of you who have looked, birdcage veil material is nearly impossible to find stateside!)

 

 

Our best sellers right now are our custom fascinators. As you know, the world was captivated by the Royal Wedding, and Americans were in awe of the incredible head pieces the guests wore. From simple to outrageous, fascinators can be anything you want them to be. They started in the UK in the 18th century, when women’s hairstyles were still only updos, and the Royal family began declaring hats as a wardrobe requirement to social functions for the upper class. Well, with such elaborate hairdos, how could one place a hat over it? The answer was fascinators (although that term didn’t gain popularity for decades). In the 40’s and 50’s they were called “cocktail hats”and women wore them for everything from parties to grocery shopping. (Did everything from that era have the word “cocktail” in it?)

 

A custom fascinator designed to match a wedding dress

 

Fascinators are basically just a felt or woolen base, with adornments on top. The base is secured to your hair either by bobby pins (the old-fashioned way) or a clip or comb is attached to the underside. With bobby pins, you would slide the pin over the edge of the felt base and secure the under part of the pin to your hair. A Vintage Vibe can also attach an alligator clip or small comb to the underside, so it would be very easy to just slide it into a small section of hair or open the clip with one hand and slide it in. It really depends on the size and style of the fascinator, but you can either wear your hair all up, and just clip it to the upper side of your head, sort of on an angle, or you could style your hair half up and half down. They look best when worn at about a 45 degree angle on the top of your head, as if defying gravity. You’d be amazed at how well they stay on! They are generally very light, and the bases are curved to conform to your head, so they’re incredibly easy to wear, as well as being uber fashionable.

 

 

In fact, they can have an even deeper meaning! In the UK, their feathers and designs were traditionally a way to show your social status, your marital status, or even your political affiliation. These days, they can display your worldly style, or your affinity for Lady Gaga. In the South, it is still acceptable to wear hats to church on Sundays, and many stylish women choose fascinators. They can be the perfect accessory for social events, bridal showers, weddings, and even some of the more understated designs can be worn every day – out to dinner or on a date. But I find that right now, they are also incredibly successful in portraits.

When you have your portrait taken, you want to style yourself in a way that speaks to who you are, but maybe just an amped-up version of how you present yourself every day. In order to take your own wardrobe to the next level, accessories are key!  A chunky necklace, a layered scarf, or a beautiful satin flower in your hair can make a huge difference. After all, who doesn’t like to play dress up?

 

(Photo above courtesy of Latasha Haynes Photography in Washington)

 

Thank you, Stephanie!

You can find A Vintage Vibe on Etsy and Facebook. If you have a minute, I highly suggest you check out her work. Maybe send her some love on Facebook. If you have any other questions about fascinators, I’m sure she’ll help you out!

Also, Stephanie is giving EVERYONE 25% off their next item in the Vintage Vibe Etsy shop from now until June 1st. Just use the coupon code WARWED. This even includes a custom fascinator (yes, totally custom) for only $40 – and that’s before the discount! Just think of all the weddings, showers and fabulous garden parties you have lined up this summer – not to mention photo shoots. Go there in style!

Cheers!

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  • May 11, 2011 - 8:06 pm

    Stephanie - Thank you so much Morgan! I’m so excited that fascinators are gaining popularity- I hope all your readers will take advantage of the discount code and try one out!ReplyCancel

  • May 24, 2011 - 9:38 pm

    Kristal Locke - Love this! They add a nice touch to any style!ReplyCancel

Lindsay, of Lindsay Horn Photography and LHP Seniors, is here to talk about current fashion trends that can really make a difference in your senior photo session. I LOVE what she’s showing and can’t wait to photograph the Class of 2012. If you haven’t checked it out, be sure to visit my MDP Seniors site.

Lindsay writes:

The benefit of photographing so many gorgeous and very fashion-conscious senior girls is that I’m able to spot some trends as they pop up over different sessions.  Now some of these trends are great, but really make no difference to the photographer per se.  However, there are some trends floating around out there that won’t only make you look good, but they will really make your photographer happy as well if you take advantage of them!  Before we get started, let me say that my #1 rule in senior wardrobes is to wear something that you are comfortable in, something that is YOU.  So don’t feel the need to jump on the bandwagon of any of these ideas if it’s just not your thing.   Okay?  Great!  Here we go …

 

Vintage Vibe

I’m not going to lie, I’m a girl with a heart for all things vintage, so this particular trend excites my creative soul in particular!  I love the throwback vintage trend right now that I see so many of my seniors embracing, especially when it comes to dresses.  They usually have such a soft feminine look that makes them stand out and look fabulous in almost any type of location.  Typically, they aren’t as short as some of the more modern fashions, which will make life much easier on your photographer (more on this later).  I love this beautiful lace dress that one of my seniors wore – paired with a belt and cowboy boots it made for a great look!  Find a similar dress at Old Navy for $24.99, or check our stores like Anthropologie and Francesca’s for some great vintage looks.

 

 

Bring on the Belts

You may notice lots and lots of belts even in the non-belt images in this post!  Using belts is a great way to help break up and balance a pattern or bold color, hold a layer in place, and just add some more depth and texture to your overall wardrobe.  It’s an accessory that you really can’t go wrong with – brown, black, multicolored, thin, wide – they all can add that extra punch to your images.  The brown belt picture above can be picked up at Old Navy for $17.94, and you can find the black belt at Forever 21 for $7.80.

 

Pocket Dresses

I get giddy with excitement whenever I see a senior pull out a dress with pockets.  Not only are they just really cute (I definitely wish they were around when I was in high school), but it offers your photographer some fun options in regards to posing.  We are always trying to come up with flattering and different things to do with your hands (there can’t be many photographers out there who haven’t heard, “what do I do with my hands?”), and I love pocket dresses for opening up a whole new world in that regard.  If you wear a dress with pockets, make sure your photographer knows!  Sometimes it’s amazing how well they can hide, especially in those fuller A-line skirts.  You can find the orange dress at Overstock.com for $86.00, the printed dress at Dillard’s for $17.40, and the grey dress at Dillard’s for $49.00.

 

 

Headbands & Hats

As photographers, I guarantee that we all dream about clients bringing adorable headbands and hats to wear for at least a few shots during a session.  We love it for the same reason the clients should – it really makes the images stand out.  Accessories like that, when used well with the right outfit and location, can really make your images unique.  Trust me, photographers want our images to be unique just as much as you do!  The variety is endless as well.  Headbands run the gamut from really skinny bands (shown here from Forever 21 for $3.80) to more intricate headbands decorated with beautiful vintage flowers and a birdcage veil (shown here from TFJ Designs for $25.00).  There are so many cute hats in style right now too – from stylish fedoras (shown here from Gap for $29.50) to cowboy hats to straw floppy hats or hip newsboy hats.  There really is something out there for everyone.  I always stress to my clients that bringing something like this does NOT mean you will be stuck wearing it the whole session.  We normally throw it on for a few shots and then take it off, so you shouldn’t shy away for that reason.

 

 

Statement Shoes

I’m always so amazed to see the killer shoes that my seniors show up to a session with.  Picking a great pair of shoes to top off an outfit can really make all the difference in giving you the COMPLETE look.  This winter and fall I saw some seriously drool-worthy boots, but since spring is here I am focusing on more warm-weather looks.  Now being from Texas, I do believe that cowboy boots are good in any season, and colorful glammed up cowboy boots can really give your images that “pop” and sense of personality that you want.  You can find these awesome urban boots at Forever 21 for $32.80.  Using colorful shoes to accent your outfit is a great way to maximize impact and tie everything together – don’t feel like you have to stick to standard brown or black.  You can find these fun turquoise sandals at Nordstrom for $78.95.  Embellished sandals are so in right now and can almost make your shoes feel like a cool piece of jewelry!  Being a natural light photographer, I love how the light plays off of anything shiny, and shoes are no exception.  Find these great embellished sandals at JC Penney for $29.99.

 

 

In closing, there’s really only one current trend I’ve seen that I think you will really want to be wary of, and that is the mini-dress or skirt.  I can’t say that I’ve run into it in one of my sessions, but it is a prevalent fashion trend so it’s worth addressing.  I encourage my clients to wear dresses, but they do somewhat limit what you can do in regards to posing.  The super-short lengths available out there right now are VERY limiting, and they aren’t always the most flattering option.  Keep in mind that the way something will photograph is different from the way something will look as you go about your daily routine.  A photograph captures a brief second in time, and with really restrictive clothing with a lot of skin exposure, those tiny seconds here and there may not always be the most flattering.  So, if you are dead set on wearing something ultra-short to your session, make sure you walk around in it ahead of time, stand in different positions, check yourself out in a mirror and make sure that you are 100% happy with what you see.  If you are, then it’s definitely something your photographer can work with!

 

FINALLY! I’ve been waiting so patiently for this post from Kelly since I am definitely in the rectangle category. Her tips below are spot on – especially about the jeans and pants with back pocket flaps. This makes a HUGE difference. The only problem is that they are a little hard to find. Just keep looking — and let me know what you find!

The other tip I’ll mention is that rectangles might need to have things tailored a little more often. Let’s be honest — your hips, rear and bust help keep clothing in place. When you don’t have much in any of those categories (like moi), your clothes struggle to find things to hold on to. I’m constantly going into a dressing room and coming out pinching the shoulder straps together – or wrapping the top a little tighter. Don’t get frustrated – just find someone with some sewing skilz and you’ll be all set 🙂

Thanks, Kelly. Great job!

“Here’s the fourth and final installment highlighting each of the four female body shapes. I’ve absolutely loved doing this series and have gotten great feedback from clients and Wardrobe Wednesday {Where fashion meets photography} fans. I just hope it helps you figure out your body type and how to accentuate your best features — something everyone wants when it comes to picking an outfit for your portrait session.

I’ve already featured the pear shape, which you can find here, the apple shape, which you can find here, and hourglass, which is here. And last but not least? The rectangle! For all of you perfectly proportioned ladies out there, thanks for hanging in there! I hope it was worth the wait.

RECTANGLE SHAPE

Typically rectangle-shaped women have:

  • A full neck
  • Broad back
  • Average bust
  • Undefined waist
  • A balanced figure
  • Great legs and arms

 

America’s next top model?
Your figure is lean and athletic. You likely have a fuller neck and your back is broad. Your shoulders and hips are balanced between a straighter torso with a waist that has few curves. Your bust is usually small to medium in size and your hips are square and your butt is flat. You are blessed with slender legs and arms. This is currently the ideal shape for today’s models.

Because there is little difference between the measurements of your chest, waist and hips, you’re the only shape that doesn’t need to worry about balance. Instead, work to create the appearance of a curvier waist and bottom to enhance your femininity, and draw focus to your great legs and thighs.

Tops
To give the illusion of curves, look for wrap tops with a scooped or V neckline. They will emphasize your bust and draw attention to your face. When searching for a bra, look for choices that have extra padding and an underwire for fuller, more feminine curves. Tops with spaghetti straps will draw attention to your chest, making it appear larger. Look for jackets that have a cinched waist or bias cut. Jackets that flare out from your waist will create instant hips. Tops that are fitted and go in at the waist will help give the appearance of a curvier figure.

tops to wear if you have a rectangle shape - wardrobe wednesday

Pants
Your ideal pants will hug and lift your bottom. Larger back pockets that are spread far apart will make your butt look fuller. If they have flaps on them, even better! It will add some bulk. Jeans with slight fades on the thighs will help give them shape. You will look great in jeans that have a low rise and that are a straight fit from the hip to the knee with a slight flare at the end.

pants to wear if you have a rectangle shape - wardrobe wednesday

Skirts and dresses
There’s not a whole lot you can’t wear. However, some things look better on you than others. A contoured waistband helps create curves. Pencil skirts, A-lined skirts, as well as those with a dropped waist look great on you. When looking for dresses, select something with a little bit of a flared hemline above the knee to show off those slender legs. You can also add a belt to accentuate your waist.

dresses to wear if you have a rectangle shape - wardrobe wednesday

Shoes
You have great legs, so show them off! For you, the sky is the limit, so feel free to experiment with wedges, straps, pointy toes, peep toes — you name it! And you’re one of the lucky girls who can pull off that sexy stiletto heel without looking off balance.

shoes to wear if you have a rectangle shape - wardrobe wednesday

What to avoid
The list of things you need to avoid is short. On the top of the list are vertical patterns and lines. These tend to make you appear thin and lanky. Next on the list is clingy and tightly fitted tops. You should also stay away from short cropped jackets that end at your waist. You also want to stay away from loose garments that don’t show off your curves. Stay away from skirts, jeans and pants that are high-waisted. You should also avoid jeans with a straight cut because they will only emphasize your straight figure.”

what not to wear if you are a rectangle shape - wardrobe wednesday


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