SS&G’s guide to stylish attire for your engagement session- Part 2 (dos, deux, zwei, :) )
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010PART TWO, DOS, DEUX, ZWEI… whatever you want to call it today we are exploring more things to consider when choosing your attire for your engagement session. We, as wedding photographers, of course want you to look fabulous so that your images are stunning! There are things that you CAN do that make our job a lot easier!
To review yesterday our first three “rules” are:
1) Stay Seasonally appropriate.
2) Dress in Layers.
3) Throw Matching out the door! Complimentary is all the rage.
Today we have a few more!!
4) Consider your body type. Just because that chunky sweater, sleeveless dress or short skirt are cute on a size 0 mannequin … it doesn’t mean that they will look good on YOU. Also, just because an outfit is “cute” on you…doesn’t necessarily mean that it will photograph well! If you are paranoid of your upper arms… try a shawl, scarf, jacket or sweater. If you feel that you have thick legs… wear a longer skirt or pants. Now… every single bride I have ever had I consider to be beautiful. I am pretty sure that their husbands feel the same but let’s face it. We are women! There is always something to “work on” on our bodies! Not every body is built for every outfit. So too, are outfits, relational to portraits. Not every outfit was made for every portrait! Some prints and cuts just do not photograph as well as others. Try to stay AWAY from loud prints, florals, colors that hurt the eye, LARGE stripes and plaids… these are all things that WILL date your images quickly. For a style that is timeless, think J.Crew. Most of what you will find in their catalog is monochromatic, sold or tiny print… they do this for a reason : longevity! You know as well as I do that the classic pair of black pumps will stay on your shoe shelf a LOT longer than those laser yellow ones that you go clubbing in! I am not saying be “boring” in your photos but when shopping, keep in mind, these are photos you will show to your children and THEIR children in years to come!
Reference this article for more information on body shapes and how to dress them: thechicfashionista
A few of my suggestions for various body types:
Rounded or Pear Shaped
When examining this look we see the PERFECT engagement photo look for a woman who loves to look “pretty” but does not care for the confines of a dress. This look, of course, is close to my heart! LOL The long black pant provides an elongating effect to the body while slimming a lower half that you may not be proudest of. The top is a fabulous “feature” piece to draw the eye upward and capture your audience with a fun, flirty look. I also love that we stay with some pretty safe colors. This is an outfit that you will likely look back on for many years to come and still be in love with! For more information on this look visit: profashionelle.com
OR… if you embrace the dress here is another fabulous option:
Accessorized perfectly with the hot metallics of the season, this plum beauty accentuates the natural waist, has enough movement to hide a few flaws and would surely be a showstopper at your engagement session! For more information on this outfit visit: INSTYLE
Hourglass shaped:
HOURGLASS IMAGES COURTESY: POLYVORE.COM
You can seldom go wrong with a dark denim wide leg trouser, some awesome accent jewelry pieces and a longer belted shirt to show off the hourglass figured woman’s impeccable waistline! However my FAVORITE part of this outfit might well be the lime green shoes! Perfect for an engagement shoot as they are flats but stylish enough to say… “Hey world! Look at me! I am getting MARRIED!”
Yet another hourglass look. A fun flirty colored top with puffy capped sleeve combined with a more neutral printed skirt SCREAMS style. You can layer on a sweater later in the evening for a different look and be assured that your engagement photos will look stunning with your man by your side in his matching CAMEL jacket and dark jeans! Information on this look from:
A general way to wear a dress for all body shapes:
For more information visit wardrobe911.com
5) Be COMFORTABLE, casual but not frumpy! Yes… I encourage our couples to WEAR your jeans! If you spend 99% of your life in them, then you should spend your engagement pics in them also. If you FEEL like a duck out of water in high heels and a dress then you will LOOK like one in your photos. Do what feels right you 
If that is jeans… then so be it! I have seen MANY a fabulous engagement photo with jean clad couples. The best thing about jeans is that they are VERSATILE! You can change your look many times and still keep the same pair of jeans on. This makes for quick and easy changes in the car when we are on location. Add a tank top underneath your shirt / sweater and you have an easy wardrobe that feels great and looks great too! Do try to stay away from LARGE cable knits… unless you are 90 lbs soaking wet they cling to the body and creating unappealing lines.
and for him:
Visit denimology.com for more details!!
6) Accessorize you AND your honey. So, I have to admit, I have some of the most fabulously stylish brides in the world. I have even seen a bride to be whip out her jewelry “closet” when she came to her engagement session and I was truly over the moon about that! Accessories can go a long way to creating interest in your images without making them entire “dated”. A funky pair of shoes, an awesome necklace, chunky bracelets… all of these things are great ideas for personalizing your wardrobe. Let us NOT forget the man in your life. It is ENTIRELY possible for men to accessorize also! A cool pair of cufflinks, an awesome tie bar, scarf or hat even… think Neal Caffrey!
For you: Frugal Fashion Accessory Finds from Target
For him:
More details at: Men’s Fashion Deals
