What to Wear for Family Christmas Photos: Dressing Girls for the Portrait
A family Christmas photo lasts a great deal longer than the afternoon it takes to make it. It gets printed, framed, mailed inside cards, and pulled out again decades later. HELENA & HARRY IV CO. has dressed girls for portraits since 1989, and photographers have taught us a few reliable rules for clothing that photographs beautifully.
Start with the girls' dresses, then build around them
The simplest way to plan a family photo wardrobe is to choose the children's clothing first. A girl's dress is usually the most saturated, most detailed piece in the frame, so let it set the palette. Once the dress is chosen, adults can pick quieter tones that support it rather than compete with it.
Coordinate, do not match
Identical outfits read as a uniform. What photographs well is a family palette of two or three related tones, worn differently by each person. If your daughter wears an ivory dress with a blush sash, the rest of the family can work in cream, camel, and soft rose without anyone repeating the same piece.
Choose fabrics that hold light
Cameras love texture. Taffeta holds its shape and gives structure to a silhouette, satin reflects a soft glow, and organza adds depth in layers. Flat cotton knits tend to disappear on camera. This is one reason occasionwear, rather than everyday clothing, is the traditional choice for portrait sittings.
Plan for the setting
Indoor studio portraits let you dress purely for the camera. Outdoor sessions in November and December need warmth that belongs in the picture rather than fighting it. A tailored dress coat over the dress keeps a girl warm between frames and looks composed in them, which is far better than a parka thrown over everything at the last minute.
Comfort shows up in faces
The most important rule is the least glamorous: an uncomfortable child cannot hide it. Look for lined bodices, finished seams, and sleeves that allow arms to move. A dress a girl feels wonderful in produces the expression you actually want on the mantel.
Timeless over trendy
Trend pieces date a photograph precisely. Classic silhouettes, natural palettes, and quality construction are why portraits from decades ago still look right today. Explore our girls dresses, made in the USA from fine imported materials, and dress this year's photo so it still looks beautiful in thirty years.