Simple is better. Busy patterns like plaids, stripes are too distracting. Having clothing with textures are good. Clothes that drape are better than clinging knits that tend to ride up on the arms, shoulders, and body, creating undesirable lines. Pick colors ( if you require colour portrait ) that are flattering to your skintone and your eyes, but don't pick busy or loud stripes or patterns that takes the attention away from you. Take a look at other headshots to see what colors work. Avoid white please!

For women, unless you have thin arms, I recommend you avoid bare arms, like wearing tank tops. If men are wearing suit jackets, avoid fine striped patterns. A layered look like color T-shirts with an open shirt works well for men going for a casual look. It's always safe to bring a simple black top or T-shirt too. Floral patterns are generally too busy for headshots. Please avoid logos like, "Nike", "Bebe", etc.

Bring choices, but remember this is more about you and not your clothing. Most importantly you should feel comfortable and not confined in what you wear. If you'd like to shoot outdoors don't wear clothing that will be too warm if it's hot outside. Please make sure your clothes are clean and spot-free. Also have them pressed or dry cleaned; nothing looks worst than a shirt that looks like you just pulled it out of the dryer. Generally wearing jewelry distracts from your face.

Commercial Look
This is the shot from which you would most likely be cast in a television commercial or print ad. It is primarily a very casual shot. Keep it mainstream, suburban. Open collars, sweater and shirt combinations, in light or medium colors that contrast with your skin color and support an outgoing smile are appropriate choices

Film/TV
This is a more sophisticated/sexy look. A good place to get ideas of what to wear for this shot is from soap operas. For this shot, it is very important for women to assess exactly how she is likely to be cast. A blatantly suggestive neckline, for instance, will undermine your credibility, and yet if you have the potential for a "hot" role, you want the casting director to see it. Find something that you think shows your potential, that you wouldn't feel ridiculous wearing to an audition. Men with romantic lead potential should not wear a suit and tie, but rather something you might wear on a first date. In general, think a little more urbane, a little more sophisticated.

Theater
Your "theater" look is the closest to your natural self in the most positive sense--when you are rested, relaxed in a positive frame of mind and raring to go. For this shot feel free to let your own personal sense of style come through, within the bounds of how you are likely to be cast. Character actors should not dress as ingenues and vice versa.

Industrial
Industrials are training films for organizations, mostly businesses, narrated by actors. If you want to try this market, think about what you might wear to a job interview at a bank. This look is conservative, tailored, business like. Suit and tie for men and business attire for women.

General Wardrobe Do's and Don'ts

Do

Light to dark colors are fine, as long as it doesn't match or come close to your skin tone ( only in case of colour images ) . Anything that has texture is nice. Its adds interest without being distracting.
Make sure all items are clean and pressed.
Wear the proper size.
Think about how you are likely to be cast. Look carefully at films, television and print ads for people who are approximately the same type as you. What are they wearing? Remember: Casting Directors want to see you as slipping easily into a role.
V-necks are generally flattering for most people, unless you are a male with a long slim neck. In which case, collared shirts work best.
Long sleeve shirts and blouses work best.
Men should bring a few different newish t-shirts in different shades.

Don't

Don't wear jewelry.
Don't try to fit in to something too small.
Don't wear big round necklines for a headshot.
Avoid bold patterns.
Avoid black velvet, otherwise, black is OK for a more sophisticated look, but don't bring an entire wardrobe of black.
Avoid blouses with padded shoulders.

And finally, remember, rules are meant to be broken. So if you have an item that you are really interested in wearing, by all means bring it. We could see if we can make it work. Bring more wardrobe than you think you will need.

Children

Its important to keep in mind that having a child's headshot done, whether for acting or modeling, it is NOT time to play "dress up." Wardrobe should generally be casual and natural, things that they ordinarily would wear. The best thing a parent can do to decide on wardrobe, is watch television and see what kids in commercials are wearing. This will give you a good clue as to what the market is looking for. Keep it all age appropriate.

Feel free to bring any props, especially if your child has a hobby, or if we decide to shoot something outdoors, if the weather is nice...baseball, jump rope, whatever. We may or may not use it, but it's nice to have if we want it. Bring more outfits than you think we will need, as sometimes certain things photograph better than others.

Generally, solids or some patterns are OK for girls, but try to stay away from anything that is TOO distracting. Also, try to stay away from plain blacks and whites.