15 Christmas Family Photo Outfit Ideas: Easy Color Combos That Look Great on Camera
These Christmas family photo outfit ideas start with you, then help you build the rest of the family’s look around your outfit. Most of us plan everyone else’s clothes and forget our own until the last minute.
So we made this list easy. Pick one of the 15 Christmas family photo outfit ideas below, take its colors, and dress the family in two or three of those shades. This season, burgundy, deep green, cream and camel are everywhere, along with velvet, soft knits, plaid and polka dots.
Quick Rules for Christmas Family Photos
- Pick a palette, not a uniform. Choose 3 or 4 colors that go together. Everyone wears some of them, but nobody has to match exactly.
- Only one or two people wear a pattern. Plaid or polka dots look great in small doses. Too many prints fight on camera.
- Skip logos, neon and tiny busy stripes. They pull the eye away from faces and can look blurry in photos.
- Add texture. Knit, velvet, corduroy and satin make simple colors look rich in photos.
- Dress for the place. Long dresses and coats suit an outdoor tree farm; soft knits suit a cozy living room shoot.
15 Christmas Family Photo Outfit Ideas for Women
Here are our favorite Christmas family photo outfit ideas, with the colors to build the family look around each one.
1. Burgundy Velvet Midi Dress
Burgundy is the color of the season, and velvet glows in soft light. Wear a burgundy velvet midi dress with tan tights and ankle boots. Dress the family in cream, camel and navy.
2. Cream Cable-Knit Sweater Dress
A long cream sweater dress with brown knee-high boots looks warm and soft on camera. Add a camel coat for outdoor shots. Family colors: cream, brown and forest green.
3. Red Plaid Midi Skirt and Black Turtleneck
Let your skirt be the one pattern in the photo. A red plaid midi skirt with a fitted black turtleneck and black boots works with family members in solid red, black and grey.
4. Emerald Satin Skirt and Ivory Sweater
An emerald green satin midi skirt with a soft ivory sweater feels festive without any red. The family can wear cream, white and denim blue.
5. Long Camel Coat, Grey Knit Dress and Tall Boots
Shooting at a tree farm? A camel coat over a grey knit dress with tall boots looks classic in the snow or among the trees. Family colors: camel, grey, white and soft green.
6. Black and White Polka Dot Dress
Polka dots are this year’s holiday print. A black and white polka dot midi dress with black flats looks great next to family in solid black, white and red.
7. Forest Green Sweater and Dark Jeans
For a relaxed, at-home photo, a forest green sweater with dark straight jeans is easy and pretty. Dress the family in denim, cream and green.
8. Navy Wrap Dress and Nude Heels
Navy is softer than black and looks rich in photos. A navy wrap dress with nude heels goes well with family in grey, white and burgundy.
9. Ivory Knit Set
A matching ivory sweater and wide-leg knit pants set looks calm and modern, especially in a bright room with a tree. Family colors: ivory, oatmeal and light grey.
10. Rust Turtleneck and Brown Corduroy Pants
For a warm, earthy look, try a rust turtleneck with brown corduroy pants and ankle boots. Family colors: rust, brown, cream and olive.
The last five Christmas family photo outfit ideas are a little more relaxed, for pajama shots, bright rooms and casual outdoor photos.
11. Matching Christmas Pajamas
Pajama photos are still a family favorite. Pick one plaid or solid red pajama set for everyone, or use the same print in two colors so it does not feel too uniform.
12. White Sweater and Red Wide-Leg Trousers
A white chunky sweater with red wide-leg trousers is bright and cheerful. Keep the rest of the family in white, grey and denim so you stand out a little.
13. Champagne Pleated Skirt and Cream Sweater
A champagne or gold pleated midi skirt with a cream sweater adds a little shine without sequins. Family colors: cream, beige and soft brown.
14. Grey Sweater Dress and a Big Red Scarf
Big scarves are a top winter trend. A grey sweater dress with a large red scarf and black boots works well for outdoor photos. Family colors: grey, red and black.
15. Denim Shirt, Cream Skirt and Brown Boots
For a casual farm or barn look, wear a soft denim shirt with a cream midi skirt and brown boots. Family colors: denim, cream, tan and brown.
Tips to Make Your Family Photo Outfits Work
Want to see which Christmas family photo outfit ideas people are saving right now? Check Pinterest Trends for the latest searches.
- Start with the mom’s outfit. It is the hardest to find, so choose it first from these Christmas family photo outfit ideas and pull the family colors from it.
- Lay everything out together. Put all the outfits on the bed and take a phone photo. You will see quickly if one piece does not fit.
- Think about shoes. In full-length photos, shoes show. Clean boots or simple flats look best.
- Bring a layer for kids. Little ones get cold or messy. A spare sweater in the same color saves the photo.
- Iron or steam everything. Wrinkles show on camera more than in a mirror.
Christmas Family Photo Outfit Ideas: FAQs
What colors are best for Christmas family photos?
Burgundy, deep green, red, cream, camel, navy and grey all photograph well. Choose 3 or 4 that go together and mix them across the family.
Should the whole family match in Christmas photos?
Not exactly. Coordinate with a shared color palette instead. It looks more natural, and everyone can wear clothes they already own.
What should I avoid wearing in family photos?
Big logos, neon colors, tiny busy stripes and very wrinkled fabric. They pull attention away from faces.
