What to Wear for Holiday Family Photos (That You’ll Still Love Next Year)

Holiday family photos are meant to be cute proof that you all survived the year together.
But figuring out what to wear for holiday family photos can turn into a group stress test: too matchy, too busy, too “why did I think neon was festive?”

Let’s fix that.

This guide walks you through what to wear for Christmas pictures and winter family photos in a way that:

• Looks good on camera and in real life
• Works for different body shapes, ages, and climates
• Lets everyone still feel like themselves
• Uses as many pieces as possible from the clothes you already own

Tone-wise, imagine your stylish friend who loves you, hates chaos, and will gently pry the itchy sequin sweater out of your hands.

Big Picture Rules for Holiday Family Photo Outfits

Before we get into specific outfit ideas, here are the 5 rules that make almost any family photo look good:

1. Coordinate, don’t clone
   Think “same story, different characters,” not everyone in identical red sweaters. Pick a color palette and let each person express it their own way.
2. Choose 2–3 main colors, plus a neutral
   For example:
   • Navy + cream + forest green
   • Burgundy + camel + soft gray
   • Denim blue + ivory + deep red
3. Prioritize comfort and personality
   If someone hates turtlenecks, they’ll hate every photo. Outfits need to be comfortable enough to sit, stand, twist, hug, and wrangle toddlers.
4. Avoid loud logos and tiny patterns
   Big logos distract; tiny stripes or checks can warp on camera. Go for simple prints (plaids, florals, checks) with breathing room.
5. Think “timeless-ish”
   You don’t have to dress like it’s 1950, but try to skip hyper-trendy, one-season pieces. Your future self will thank you.

What Colors Should We Wear for Holiday Family Photos?

Choose a Palette That Makes Sense for You (and the Location)

Instead of “holiday colors = red and green or bust,” think about:

• Your tonal type:
  • Light vs deep
  • Warm vs cool
  • Soft vs clear (muted vs high-contrast)

Then consider your location:

• Outdoor, snowy or cloudy: deep jewel tones (burgundy, forest, navy), cream, camel
• Indoor with warm lighting: cooler blues and greens, soft gray, ivory
• Warm climate / no snow: denim blue, white, sand, olive, rust

Easy Holiday Color Palettes

• Classic & cozy: navy, cream, camel, small touches of red
• Modern & calm: charcoal, soft gray, muted green, ivory
• Bold & festive: black, white, deep red, metallic accents

Let each person use the palette differently: someone in a patterned dress, someone in jeans and a sweater, someone in chinos and a shirt.

Outfit Ideas for Holiday Family Photos (By Setting)

1. What to Wear for Indoor Holiday Family Photos

Great for: studio sessions, living-room shoots, grandparents’ house

Women / femme-presenting:

• Sweater or blouse in one of the palette colors
• Midi skirt or dark jeans
• Simple jewelry, low-contrast shoes

Men / masc-presenting:

• Button-down or fine knit sweater
• Dark jeans or chinos
• Clean sneakers, loafers, or boots

Kids:

• Soft knits (no scratchy sweaters)
• Corduroy pants, leggings, or soft jeans
• One patterned piece per child (dress, shirt, or sweater)

Styling tips:

• Mix textures: knit, cotton, denim, maybe a little velvet. Texture reads beautifully on camera.
• Keep shoes simple and clean; they will show in at least some photos.

2. What to Wear for Outdoor Winter Family Photos

Great for: parks, forests, snowy backdrops

Base layer:
Everyone in jeans/chinos + sweaters or long-sleeve tees in your color palette.

Add:

• Coordinated coats (they can be different styles, but similar color story)
• Scarves, hats, and gloves that echo the palette instead of clashing with it
• Boots that can handle actual ground (mud, snow, grass)

Example outfit set:

• Parent 1: navy wool coat + cream sweater + dark jeans + tan boots
• Parent 2: forest green sweater + camel coat + black jeans + black boots
• Kid: cream knit hat + plaid shirt in navy/green + jeans + brown boots

Pro tip: Unzip coats a bit so we see the outfits underneath—layers add interest and movement.

3. What to Wear for “At-Home” Cozy Holiday Photos

Great for: baking cookies, decorating the tree, couch cuddles

• Elevated loungewear: knit joggers, soft sweaters, henley tops
• Colors: cream, gray, dusty blue, soft red or berry accents
• Bare feet, socks, or simple slippers instead of heavy shoes

Think “we actually live here” rather than “we all dressed for a gala and then sat on the sofa.”

4. Warm-Climate Holiday Family Photo Outfits

Great for: no-snow December, beach or backyard photos

• Light fabrics: cotton, linen blends, breathable knits
• Colors: white, ivory, sand, denim, sage, soft blue, rust
• Add holiday feel with:
  • Metallic jewelry
  • Deeper accent color (wine, deep green)
  • Subtle plaid or texture instead of heavy sweaters

Skip the heavy boots and coats—you’ll look hot and not in the fun way.

What to Wear for Family Photos by Body Shape

You don’t have to have a “perfect” body to look incredible in photos. You just need lines and proportions that make you feel balanced and confident.

If you’re more Inverted Triangle (broader shoulders, narrower hips)

• Choose V-necks or open collars to create vertical lines.
• Keep the upper half simple and sharp; add color or texture on the bottom (trousers, skirt, jeans).
• Go for structured jackets that show off your shoulders, not drown them.
• Avoid bulky, high-neck sweaters with extra shoulder detail.

If you’re more Rectangle (shoulders, waist, hips similar width)

• The best clothing line is lean and slightly shaped around the waist, not boxy.
• Belts, wrap styles, and half-tucks can suggest a waist without squeezing.
• Both single- and double-breasted jackets can work; just keep them fitted and not too long.
• Pleated or flat-front trousers are great—look for a bit of drape instead of stiff, straight shapes.

If you’re more Rounded / Curvy

• Go for fabrics that drape rather than cling—soft knits, fluid wovens.
• Necklines with some openness (V, scoop, soft boat) lengthen the line.
• Choose mid-rise or high-rise bottoms that sit comfortably and smooth the midsection.
• Wrap dresses and A-line skirts are MVPs for holiday photos.

Most important: if you feel good moving, hugging, and sitting in the outfit, it’ll look good in photos.

Hair, Makeup, and Details That Matter on Camera

You don’t need a glam squad, just a few tweaks:

• Hair: choose a style you can maintain for the whole shoot (no elaborate updos that collapse in 20 minutes).
• Makeup: slightly more definition than everyday—brows, lashes, a bit of color in cheeks and lips.
• Glasses: clean them thoroughly; smudges show.
• Jewelry: choose pieces that add interest without stealing the show. One statement or a few delicate layers is enough.

Common Mistakes in Holiday Family Photo Outfits (and Easy Fixes)

1. Everyone in identical outfits
Fix: keep the same palette, but give each person different pieces and textures.

2. Clothes that don’t fit properly
Fix: prioritize the best-fitting jeans, trousers, dresses—even if they’re not “holiday” pieces. Style can come from color and layering.

3. One person in a totally different color story
Fix: if someone insists on a favorite color, echo it in a small way on someone else (a scarf, hat, or pattern).

4. New shoes that hurt
Fix: test-drive everything at home. If you can’t chase a child or a dog in them, they’re not photo shoes.

How to Plan Holiday Family Photo Outfits with OpenWardrobe

Doing this in your head = chaos. Doing it in an app = calm(ish).

In the OpenWardrobe platform, you can:

1. Digitize everyone’s key pieces
   Snap your favorite sweaters, shirts, dresses, jeans, and coats.
2. Create a “Holiday Family Photos” collection
   Add only the items you’re considering, so you’re not scrolling past summer shorts.
3. Ask LolaAI (your AI stylist) for outfit ideas
   • “Create three outfit options for our holiday family photos with navy, cream, and burgundy.”
   • “Show cozy outfits for family pictures at home.”
4. Check coordination before the shoot
   See everyone’s looks side by side so you can avoid twinning accidents or clashing prints.
5. Save your winning outfits
   Tag them as “Family Photos 2025” so next year you can remix, not start from zero.

Holiday Family Photo Outfit FAQ

What should we wear for Christmas family photos?
Choose 2–3 colors (like navy, cream, and red), make sure everyone’s clothes fit well, and mix textures like knit, denim, and cotton. Avoid logos and super-trendy pieces so the photos age well.

What colors look best in holiday family pictures?
Deep jewel tones (burgundy, forest green, navy), soft neutrals (cream, camel, gray), and denim blue photograph beautifully. Choose shades that suit your skin tone and your location’s light.

Can we wear jeans in family photos?
Absolutely. Dark or mid-wash jeans with nice tops, knits, and boots look polished and relaxed. Jeans are especially great for outdoor photos and at-home sessions.

How do we coordinate outfits without matching?
Pick a color palette, then give each person their own combination of those colors. One person can wear a patterned piece; others can wear solids that pull from that pattern.

How far in advance should we plan our outfits?
Ideally 1–2 weeks before the shoot. That gives you time for small alterations, last-minute washes, or swapping pieces if someone changes their mind.

Your Next Step

Open your closet—or open your OpenWardrobe app—and:

1. Pick a color palette that works for your family and your location.
2. Pull 2–3 outfit options per person that fit well and feel comfy.
3. Use OpenWardrobe and LolaAI to build and save your final holiday family photo outfits.

Then all that’s left is the fun part: showing up, being yourselves, and letting the camera catch the chaos in the cutest possible way.

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