Hey there, girl!
This handy guide is your best friend in preparing for your empowering boudoir photoshoot.
We’re going to walk you through what to wear to flatter your amazing girl-bod while encouraging you to have fun with your choices. What you decide to wear for your session should reflect you and your own unique style but also highlight your assets.
The Bad-Ass Boudoir Styling Guide
Decorating your bod for boudoir, made easy.
What to Wear TO Your Shoot
Get cozy! The day of your shoot, you’re going to want to dress in the loosest possible clothing. Bras, tight pants, socks, etc. will all leave those pesky little indentations in your skin- and those take a while to leave, so it’s best to skip them.
What to Wear:
-Loose dress or loose pants with a loose top and no bra
-soft, comfy shoes that won’t leave marks on your feet or ankles (think UGGs, slippers, or flip flops)
Alright, you’ve booked your session and now it’s time to really start preparing for it. Anxiety starts kicking in and you’re panicking about what the heck you’re going to wear.
STAAAAHHHHPPP.
Right now.
Take a deep breath (or ten) and remind yourself that this is going to be amazing.
Give yourself permission to enjoy this experience, rather than live in fear of it.
It is undeniably scary to do something new, to put yourself out there and to be vulnerable. The thing is, the absolute BEST things in life happen outside of our comfort zones.
We gotchu, babe!
Stay true to YOU
The single most important thing for you to keep in mind is to stay true to yourself when picking your wardrobe options. We want this shoot to be a celebration of who you are, whatever that looks like for you and you alone!
Are you super fancy or more on the casual side? Frilly and feminine or edgier? Babe, there is no right or wrong here and we want you to see yourself in your beautiful images!
Lingerie Styles
Lingerie comes in about 9874 million different forms. Who knew?
Let’s go over a few of our favorite options to help clear things up.
Bras (+ Panty Sets)
When shopping for bras, fit is the absolute most important part. Head to your local bra shop (Nordstroms is super helpful) and have a specialist properly size you. If you can, grab a matching set or two, but you can absolutely mix and match here, too!
We suggest you choose at least two bras:
Something classic: A great black bra goes with so many different things for your shoot! Aim for a classic neutral color.
Something fun: Texture (lace, strappy bits, embroidery, velvet, etc.) really adds a special element to photographs.
Don’t forget the bra’s awesome little sisters- bralettes. These babies are comfy and move with your body during posing in ways formed bras don’t.
Bodysuits
Bodysuits are our jaaaam!! These babies are so gorgeous on all body types, and they come in so many fabulous options!
While some gals are hesitant to try a bodysuit (fitted is scary, we get it!), we really hope you will!
Why are they so flattering?
They skim your body, rather than adding bulk like some other options can (ahem, baby dolls). Look for details like trim or piping that creates the illusion of an hourglass figure.
Over Pieces
Add a little extra texture or coverage with something fun to throw over your lingerie or your gorgeous nekkid self.
Options: Sweater, button-up shirt, robe (NOT your cozy housecoat, something cute), kimono, faux fur coat
What to look for: complementary colors to your under bits, texture, timeless patterns, sheer material if possible
What to avoid: too tight pieces, heavily worn or washed items (no pilly sweaters please)
Other things to consider: Texxxture
Texture is where it’s AT in photography. Adding an interesting texture can take a lovely photo up to an AWESOME one!
What to look for: Velvet, lots of straps, lace, mesh, fishnets, faux fur, satin, silk, sequins, other sparkly bits, embroidery, metallic fabrics
What to avoid: Scratchy fabrics (don’t pick anything that is going to hurt or scrape you!), overwhelming design (YOU need to be the focus here), too tight stockings- fit is vital.
Feeling Modest?
There is no rule in boudoir that says you have to bare it all- or even partially.
If showing loads of skin isn’t your thang, that is 100% okay and you are absolutely allowed to show as much or as little skin as you want to.
You do you, boo!
What to look for: Long sleeve bodysuits, fitted shirts, jeans, sweaters, rompers, cute pj sets, cut off shorts or even leggings
What to avoid: Using your wardrobe to hide behind, too tight or too loose of pieces- make sure they properly fit you.
Accessories
Add a little something special to your images with a fun accessory or two. These aren’t a must, but they can be a good way to have a little extra fun with your photoshoot.
What to look for: body jewelry, heels, hats, scarves or kiss ass pasties (we especially love the X ones!), stellar sunglasses.
What to avoid: anything too over the top or gaudy. Aim for simple rather than in your face and nothing too “proppy.”
Color Tones
What to look for: Pick pieces in colors that look great with your skin. To get a general idea, look at the veins in the palm of your hand and inner wrist- if they look blue or purple, your skin is cool. If your veins appear green, you have a warm skin tone. If you can’t tell, you’ve probably got neutral-toned skin.
Warm skin tends to really pop with warmer tones clothes, and cool skin shines brightly with cooler shades. This is just a suggestion though. If you really love a color that doesn’t ‘go’ with your skin- rock it!
What to Avoid: Stay away from intense, bright or neon-colored clothing. These can create insane color casts (i.e. that neon orange bodysuit is going to make your skin glow bright orange too! EEK!)
When in doubt, neutral colors (white, cream, and black) always look amazing!
Tip: consider the setting you’ll be having your photos done in and pick clothing that will compliment the tones, too!
What NOT to wear
We want to make sure we’re giving you the most beautiful, flattering images possible and truth is, wardrobe has a lot to do with that. In the photos above you can clearly see the difference in the model’s body shape with just an outfit change.
In the first photo, she’s wearing a loose baby doll piece that does nothing to show off her amazing curves. By just putting on a bodysuit instead, her figure completely changes.
Pick pieces that skim your body, babydolls are the devil.
Where to shop
Now that you’ve gotten the low down on what styles are colors work best for photography, let’s get shoppin’!
Online Retailers: (stores marked with * are size inclusive)
Final Tips
-Always bring more outfits than you plan to wear so that we have options.
-Bring one outfit that’s totally out of your comfort zone, you don’t have to wear it but you just might want to!
I hope this was super helpful ladies! If you have ANY questions, please let me know! Happy shopping and remember, if you don’t want to go shopping, there’s always my fun EB BOUDOIR client wardrobe. 😉
XOXO,
EB
PLEASE NOTE: the very talented Jen Needham shared this wonderful guide with me and I’m sharing it with you! All of the images included on this post were courtesy of Jen Needham Photography.
