coordinated christmas outfit ideas for the family photoshoot

Say goodbye to those "matching sweater" family Christmas photos—your chance to shine in stylish, non-cringeworthy outfits has arrived! For the perfect family photo looks, rely on our guidance for any situation, whether it's a duo or a group of seven and coordinate your best Christmas ensembles effortlessly!


Christmas Family Outfit Color Ideas

For coordinated family outfits, begin by selecting a color palette. Explore our favored festive color combos and tips for leveraging color, all while considering your photo shoot's location—ensure your chosen palette complements the natural background tint.


Classic Red

  • Red and green. Does it get more iconic than this combo? (No, it doesn’t!) Keep things feeling sophisticated by sticking to darker shades of the two colors, such as deep wine red and forest green.
  • Red and black. For a bit of drama — or for more formal photos — red and black is a fail safe combination. Bonus points for incorporating the two colors in plush textures like velvet.
  • Red and silver. This is another color palette that works great for more formal photos. Just be sure to keep silver as an accent color to keep things from looking space-agey.
  • Red and white. As another classic palette, there are plenty of ways you can twist red and white to fit your aesthetic. Think crisp ruby red and bright white for a candy-cane effect, or go more muted with cranberry and cream for a softer look.
  • Red and denim blue. Jeans are absolutely welcome in the family Christmas photo! When paired with a festive red, shades of denim are a casual way to capture your family’s holiday spirit.
  • Maroon and khaki. Maroon and khaki work well with muted tones, but will bring a bit of cheer to an otherwise subdued palette. This color combination is especially beautiful for an outdoor family photoshoot with some fall foliage in the background.
  • Red and gold. Pair red with gold accents for an elegant touch. Parents could wear red while children wear outfits with gold detailing, creating a harmonious blend.

Evergreen

  • Green and black. Like with red and black, this dramatic palette works best for more formal family photos and when you can incorporate luxe velvet or wool pieces.
  • Green and khaki. For an earthy, forest-inspired take on the colors of Christmas, pair deep green with shades of brown and khaki.
  • Green and cream. Paring deep forest green with mostly cream outfits is a great way to add some holiday-inspired richness to a neutral palette. Or, you can keep things soft and ethereal by opting for a trendy sage and cream color palette.
  • Green and burgundy. Another twist on a classic holiday pairing — look for pieces in patterns like plaid that weave the two colors together for a more modern take.

Blue Christmas (but not at heart!)

  • Navy blue and yellow gold. Liven up deep dark blue by incorporating accents of gold and rich yellow. This color palette is especially perfect if you plan to take your photos in the late fall, as it will help the vibrant colors of the foliage feel cohesive.
  • Powder blue and white. Dreaming of a snow-dusted Christmas morning? Then this powder blue and white palette is perfect for you. On the flip side, this combo also works well if you plan to shoot your family Christmas photos at the beach.
  • Dusty blue and gray. For a casual, urban-inspired take on holiday photos, go for a palette of dusty blue (ideally in the form of lighter-wash denim jeans) and gray. To keep things interesting, look for gray pieces with textures like knit, suede, or velvet.
  • Navy blue and warm brown. For an unexpected, but still classic, take on a holiday color palette, go for a combination of deep blue and warm, nutty browns. This palette should be easy for everyone to pull off using their existing wardrobe, and works for just about any shoot location.
  • Blue on blue. With so many shades of blue, why choose just one? If you plan to take your photos with a busier backdrop, direct your family to pair jeans with another shade of blue for an easy, cohesive look.
  • Blue and silver. Pair blue with silver accessories or accents for an elegant and icy appearance. Consider metallic silver shoes, jewelry, or belts to complement the blue tones.

Tips for Choosing Colors

01 Use colors to your advantage

Irrespective of the chosen family picture outfit style—be it themed, festive, or casual—color selection is vital for a harmonious photo. You can emphasize a single color (like red) to pop across outfits or opt for a diverse palette. If you go for a unified color, ensure it complements everyone; if you choose a color palette, ensure coherence. For special attention to family members like newborns, vibrant tint or delicate patterns work well. Amplify their presence with festive swaddles. Dressing young ones is a creative joy with countless possibilities. Explore these articles for additional insights into photographing children and newborns!



02 You can’t go wrong with neutral colors

Although color fosters unity in group photos, neutrals provide a stabilizing effect. Excessive color diversity can divert attention, drawing focus away from your family in the Christmas card. If opting for a lively backdrop, neutral Christmas outfits offer an effective contrast. For instance, a red lip and black top paired with a spouse's black sweater and blue jeans create harmony. Complete the ensemble with cozy attire and red sneakers for the little one. Additionally, introducing subtle hints of softer hues can break up a monochromatic appearance, whether you're coordinating outfits or not.


03 Stay within the same color palette

Striking the right color balance in your photo is crucial; an excess of colors can lead to visual clutter. Yet, a skillful blend of well-chosen colors enhances your look. Discover easy Christmas photo outfit ideas with our favorite palettes outlined below:

  • For a more traditional Christmas look with an elevated modern take, turn to earthy palettes. Colors like forest green, rust, and tan group beautifully together.
  • For a softer aesthetic, look to muted colors for inspiration. Dusty blue, blush, and sage are trending with brides in 2024. Accompanied by white and light gray, against a snowy backdrop, these stylish family picture outfits will transport your family into a winter wonderland.
  • For an elegant ambiance, jewel tones are your best bet for Christmas photo outfits that flatter any complexion. Rich colors like burgundy, golden yellow, and emerald will add great depth to everyone’s outfits.
  • For a festive palette, combine soft berry tones with grey that works well indoors.
  • For a comfortable vibe, opt for warm neutrals like beige, cream, and brown.
  • For a charming and dreamy atmosphere, soft pastel shades like mint, blush, and light blue will complete the scene.

Pattern Ideas For Your Christmas Photo Outfits

While some may avoid using patterns in their Christmas family photo outfits, there's no need to fear it. Simply stay mindful of your color palette and designate a few family members to wear patterns, preventing visual overwhelm.


Gingham
Gingham is a safe choice, especially when featured in charming holiday dresses for young girls. If you're leaning towards a neutral black and white (or black and cream) palette, gingham adds a touch of interest to prevent things from feeling overly plain.


Plaid/Checkered
Is there anything more timeless than plaid for Christmas? It's one of those rare patterns that allow for mixing and broader use. Consider subtle, small-scale plaid or houndstooth blazers for men, matched with larger checks for women. Just ensure you maintain a restrained color palette to pull off this look!


Small paisley
Paisley might be an unconventional pick for Christmas photos, yet it's a timeless choice. Opt for a formal touch by integrating paisley in the ties or pocket squares of those wearing suits. Additionally, paisley adds a charming touch to brocade or velvet dresses for women.


Polka Dots
For polka dots, a subtle approach works best. Consider delicate details like polka dot-adorned black tights, headbands with small dots for babies, or dresses featuring tone-on-tone dot patterns.

Tips for Choosing Patterns

To successfully incorporate patterns into your holiday photo wardrobe, follow these dos and don’ts.

  • Do: Look for patterns that subtly incorporate accent colors within your broader color palette.
  • Don’t: Put everyone in clothing that features the exact same pattern. (Unless you are opting for a photo in matching Christmas PJs, which is the one time you can break this rule!)
  • Do: Let men wear patterns! It can be tempting to reserve patterns for female family members, but don’t forget to highlight the boys in your life by putting them in patterns like plaid or herringbone.
  • Don’t: Incorporate too many patterns in your wardrobe. If you’re new to patterns, stick to just one — for the advanced pattern mixers, we suggest sticking to two to keep things from becoming visually cluttered.