What to Wear for Senior Pictures: Ultimate Guide

Graduation is one of the most exciting times of your life. It’s a celebration of all the hard work you’ve accomplished in school, the friendships you’ve made, and the future you are looking forward to. One of the best things about graduation is taking senior pictures—you know we’re all about the outfits, accessories, and style here at Nouveau & Vintage!

Planning outfits for senior pictures can be difficult, but it’s nothing to worry about if you take time to plan correctly. Keep reading for our ultimate guide on what to wear for your senior pictures.

What to Wear for Senior Pictures: Pick 3 Different Outfits

When planning what to wear for your senior pictures, it is important to know that you can bring a few different outfits so that there is more variety in your pictures. This is especially fun if you have some different aspects of your school years that you want to highlight—whether that’s academics, athletics, or other important parts of your school identity. Senior pictures are also a great opportunity to celebrate your future plans, either by wearing the colors of your future school or in some other way. If you choose to do this, there are a few important things to consider. 

How long is the photography session you have booked with your photographer? 

Most photography sessions are between 1-2 hours long, though some can be shorter or longer if there are special circumstances. Sometimes photographers offer deals for shorter sessions during graduation season in order to fit in more people needing photos. If this is the case, then you might only have time for one outfit. 

However, we would recommend booking a longer photography session, specifically so that you can wear more outfits and have more variety in poses, locations, etc. Professional photos are special, so why not go all the way if you can? Your senior photos represent some of the most important, most special years of your life, which is hard to represent well if you are short on time. 

How many edited photos will your photographer return to you? 

While some photographers edit most photos and then let you pick a certain number of the photos to keep, most photographers have a set number of photos that they will choose to edit and then send to you. If your photographer is only planning on returning a smaller amount of photos to you, then it is better to stick with one favorite outfit so that you can guarantee all of the photos returned to you are in that favorite outfit. Whatever the case is, your style will be in the spotlight.

What to Wear for Senior Pictures: The Dressy Graduate

Whether or not dresses are usually your thing, they always make for cute pictures. But not just any dress will do for such a special occasion—you’ll want to find something dressy but not too formal, something classic that will show your personality as it is right now but something you’ll also love looking back on in the coming years. 

The For Love and Lemons Riley Floral Midi Dress is a sweet, romantic look that would be perfect for senior photos. What’s more classic than soft florals, a neckline that frames your face beautifully, and gently puffed sleeves? This dress features vintage-inspired garden floral print, a shirred sweetheart bodice, puffed sleeves, functional buttons along the center front, ruffled skirt tier at the hem, and is partially lined. It’s a lovely combination of secret garden patchwork vibes filled with the brightness of spring.

If vintage floral garden vibes aren’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other ways to dress it up. Choose a dressy outfit that speaks to you!

What to Wear for Senior Pictures: The Casual Senior

If you want more casual photos instead of (or in addition to) the dressier portraits, it is still very important to plan out your more “casual” look. We aren’t talking cute matching sweat sets here (though if that’s the vibe you want, no judgment from us; cute matching sets are totally in)—we’re talking fashionable jeans styled with tasteful blouses. In most cases, a solid colored top that compliments your features is a safe choice, though patterns can be fun to play with too! Remember, our suggestions are just suggestions. You always know your style best!

Our Farrah X Daisy Daydream Embroidered Flare Jeans are perfect for senior pictures. These jeans are the perfect combo of dressy and casual, which is exactly the balance you want to strike for more casual senior photos. If white jeans are more your thing, you’re in luck. Our Farrah in White X Bluebell Fleur Jeans are whimsical and provide the perfect vintage vibes. Whether you prefer daisies or bluebells, these jeans will go with a fitted t-shirt, flowy blouse, or any other top you want to pair with them.

Accessorizing Senior Picture Outfits to Show The Whole You

Whether you choose to go more dressy or take a slightly more casual route, accessories belong with every outfit. If you have a piece of jewelry that is especially significant to you, make sure it’s visible so that it can be part of your memories forever! If you’re looking for something new, we have plenty of jewelry and other accessories for you to choose from.

The Vanessa Mooney The Holy Heart Choker is a simple, classic piece that will go perfectly with a dress, jeans and a blouse, or anything else you wear for your senior pictures! Classic and classy, just how we like it.