Choosing Christmas family photo outfits can feel harder than it should. Every year, I have at least one family arrive for their Christmas family photos wearing outfits that made perfect sense in the closet at home… but look completely different once everyone is standing in front of the camera.
The matching plaid seemed festive.
The bright red sweaters felt very Christmas-y.
And those adorable new shoes? Your toddler decided they absolutely, positively were not going to wear them after five minutes.
The clothes aren’t necessarily wrong. It’s just that what looks good in real life doesn’t always photograph the same way.
That’s why I talk with my families about what to wear for Christmas family photos before their session. A little planning can make a huge difference.
When families choose their Christmas photo outfits early, they arrive more relaxed. Everyone feels comfortable. The colors work together without looking overly matched, and the final images feel timeless instead of overly themed.
So if you’re wondering what your family should wear for Christmas photos this year, here’s exactly what I’d tell you.
Should We Match or Coordinate for Christmas Family Photos?
Coordinate. Almost always.
I’m not completely against matching. If matching Christmas outfits genuinely feel like your family’s style, go for it!
But for most families, I recommend coordinating instead of having everyone wear the exact same outfit or color.
Coordinating means choosing a shared color palette while allowing each person to wear something that fits their personality and style.
For example:
- Mom in a burgundy dress
- Dad in a navy sweater
- One child in forest green
- Another child in cream and tan
Nobody is wearing the same thing, but everyone looks like they belong together.
That’s the goal with Christmas family photo outfits: coordinated, not identical.
A simple rule for coordinating outfits
Choose 2–4 colors and repeat those colors throughout everyone’s outfits.
You can use different shades, textures, and patterns within the same color family to keep the photos interesting.
Some beautiful Christmas photo color combinations include:
- Burgundy + cream + forest green + camel
- Navy + ivory + dusty blue + tan
- Cranberry + cream + cognac + green
- Rust + beige + ivory + forest green
- Navy + burgundy + cream + denim
You don’t need every family member wearing every color. Think of your outfits as one overall color story.
What Colors Are Best for Christmas Family Photos?
The colors that look the most “Christmas” on a clothing rack aren’t always the colors that photograph best.
Bright, saturated red and green can become distracting in photos, especially in natural light. Instead, I love using deeper, softer, or more muted versions of traditional Christmas colors.
For example:
Instead of bright red, try burgundy or cranberry.
Instead of bright green, try forest green or sage.
Instead of bright white, try cream or ivory.
Instead of orange, try rust or terracotta.
These colors still feel festive while creating a softer, more timeless look.
Christmas family photo color palettes I love
Classic Christmas:
Burgundy + forest green + cream + camel
Soft Christmas:
Dusty blue + ivory + navy + tan
Warm & Cozy:
Rust + cream + cognac + deep green
Neutral Christmas:
Ivory + beige + taupe + brown
Traditional Christmas:
Cranberry + forest green + cream + denim
If you love neutral Christmas family photos, don’t be afraid to use them. Just incorporate different textures so the images don’t feel flat.
Think chunky knits, velvet, corduroy, linen, wool, denim, or lace.
What Should We Avoid Wearing for Christmas Family Photos?
There aren’t many hard-and-fast rules when it comes to Christmas family photo outfits, because I want your photos to feel like your family.
But there are a few things I usually recommend avoiding.
Bright neon colors
Very bright colors can reflect onto skin and become distracting in photographs.
Large logos and graphics
Logos and large graphics tend to pull attention away from faces and connection.
Too many patterns
One patterned outfit can be beautiful.
Multiple competing patterns can make the overall image feel busy.
Everyone wearing the exact same color
If everyone wears burgundy, for example, you lose some of the visual variety that makes coordinated outfits so beautiful.
Uncomfortable clothing
This is probably the biggest one.
A beautiful dress doesn’t matter if your child spends the entire session pulling at it.
Brand-new shoes
Please break those shoes in before your session!
Especially for toddlers and young children, uncomfortable shoes can turn a fun family session into a struggle very quickly.
How Do You Put Together Christmas Photo Outfits for the Whole Family?
Start with one person.
This is one of my favorite tricks for making Christmas family photo outfits easier.
Instead of trying to choose five outfits at once, start with the person who is hardest to dress—or the person who already has an outfit they love.
Once you have that anchor outfit, pull two or three colors from it.
Then build everyone else around those colors.
For example, let’s say Mom chooses a burgundy dress.
Your color palette might become:
Burgundy + cream + camel + forest green
Dad could wear a cream sweater and dark jeans.
Your daughter could wear a forest green dress.
Your son could wear a camel sweater with denim.
Everything coordinates without everyone looking identical.
Mix textures
Texture is one of the easiest ways to add interest to your Christmas family pictures.
Try mixing:
- Velvet
- Knit sweaters
- Corduroy
- Denim
- Wool
- Linen
- Lace
- Suede
- Quilted layers
You can keep your color palette simple while using texture to make the outfits feel layered and interesting.
Use patterns sparingly
One small pattern can be beautiful.
A floral dress, subtle plaid, or tiny stripe can add personality.
But if one person is wearing a noticeable pattern, I usually recommend keeping the rest of the family in mostly solid colors.
What Should Kids Wear for Christmas Family Photos?
Comfort first. Always.
If your child hates what they’re wearing, they’re probably going to let everyone know about it during the session. 😂
Before your Christmas family photos, have your child try on the entire outfit.
Let them wear it around the house.
Have them sit, walk, play, and move in it.
Check for:
- Scratchy tags
- Stiff fabrics
- Tight waistbands
- Shoes that rub
- Sleeves that are too long
- Anything they constantly pull or adjust
For babies and toddlers, soft and comfortable clothing is almost always the better choice.
And don’t feel like siblings need to wear identical outfits. Different outfits in the same color family usually create a more natural look.
The best outfit is the one your child eventually forgets they’re wearing.
That’s when we get the genuine smiles, belly laughs, cuddles, and real expressions that make family photos meaningful.
Does Your Location Change What You Should Wear for Christmas Family Photos?
Yes!
Your Christmas family photo outfits should complement the location where we’re taking your pictures.
This is especially important for families choosing between an outdoor Christmas session and a holiday studio session.
Outdoor Christmas Family Photos
For outdoor family photos around St. Louis, I love deeper colors, warm neutrals, and earthy tones.
Some of my favorites include:
- Forest green
- Burgundy
- Navy
- Camel
- Cream
- Cognac
- Rust
These colors photograph beautifully with trees, fields, parks, and winter landscapes.
Christmas Studio Photos
Studio sessions give us a little more flexibility.
Cream, ivory, beige, taupe, soft blue, muted green, and other lighter tones can look beautiful against a simple holiday backdrop.
Because the environment is more controlled, we can be intentional about how your clothing works with the set.
Golden-Hour Family Photos
Golden-hour light is gorgeous for family photography, but it naturally adds warmth to an image.
If everyone is wearing warm colors like orange, rust, or bright red, the final photos can become very warm.
Balancing those colors with cream, navy, denim, or cooler greens can create a more balanced look.
When Should You Start Shopping for Christmas Photo Outfits?
I recommend starting 6–8 weeks before your Christmas family photo session whenever possible.
That gives you enough time to:
- Choose your color palette.
- Find your anchor outfit.
- Shop for the rest of the family.
- Try everything on together.
- Exchange anything that doesn’t work.
- Break in shoes.
- Make changes without feeling rushed.
One of my favorite tips is to take a photo of everyone wearing their outfits together.
Don’t rely on looking at each outfit separately.
Put everyone together and take a photo in natural light.
Look at the picture and ask:
Do the colors work together?
Is one outfit much louder than the others?
Are there too many patterns?
Does everyone’s level of dressiness feel similar?
Sometimes you’ll see a problem immediately in a photo that you wouldn’t notice when looking at the individual outfits.
And if you’re still unsure?
Send me a picture.
I’d much rather help you make a small change a few weeks before your session than have you arrive stressed about your outfits.
Christmas Family Photo Outfit Ideas
If you’re starting from scratch, here are a few easy combinations you can use for inspiration.
Classic Christmas Family Outfits
Mom: Burgundy dress
Dad: Navy sweater + dark jeans
Child: Cream sweater + tan pants
Child: Forest green dress
Warm & Neutral Christmas Outfits
Mom: Cream textured dress
Dad: Camel sweater + denim
Child: Rust sweater + tan pants
Child: Forest green dress
Soft Christmas Family Outfits
Mom: Dusty blue dress
Dad: Cream sweater + navy pants
Child: Ivory sweater + denim
Child: Muted blue dress
Cozy Christmas Studio Outfits
Mom: Cream sweater dress
Dad: Taupe sweater + dark denim
Child: Burgundy dress
Child: Forest green sweater + khaki pants
The exact pieces aren’t important.
What matters is that the colors, textures, and level of dressiness work together.
What I Want Your Christmas Family Photos to Feel Like
More than anything, I want your Christmas family photos to feel like your family.
Not a perfectly styled Pinterest family.
Not five people wearing identical Christmas sweaters.
And definitely not everyone standing perfectly still and smiling at the camera.
I want the photo where your toddler is laughing.
The one where Dad is making your kids giggle.
The one where your daughter reaches for your hand.
The one where everyone is cuddled together.
The one you look at ten years from now and immediately remember what this season of your family felt like.
Your outfits should support those moments—not compete with them.
Christmas Family Photos in St. Louis
As a St. Louis family photographer, I help families plan their sessions from start to finish—including choosing outfits that photograph beautifully for their specific session.
Whether we’re planning an outdoor family session, a cozy holiday studio session, or photos with Santa, we can talk through your family’s clothing, colors, location, and overall vision before you arrive.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
If you’re unsure about an outfit, send me a photo. Seriously.
I’d much rather help you choose between two dresses now than have you stress about your wardrobe the night before your session.
Ready to Plan Your Christmas Family Photos?
The best Christmas family photos aren’t the ones where everyone looks perfectly coordinated.
They’re the ones where everyone feels comfortable enough to forget the camera is there.
So start early. Choose a simple color palette. Mix textures. Let everyone’s personality show through.
And please don’t wait until the night before your session to discover that your child’s Christmas shoes are actually tiny torture devices. 😂
The goal isn’t just to take pretty Christmas pictures.
It’s to create photographs you’ll want to pull out every Christmas for years to come.
Planning Christmas family photos in St. Louis?
I’d love to help you create a session that feels relaxed, natural, and completely your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Family Photo Outfits
What should we wear for Christmas family photos?
Choose coordinated outfits rather than identical outfits. Start with 2–4 colors and build everyone’s clothing around the same color palette. Burgundy, forest green, navy, cream, camel, rust, and muted blue are all beautiful choices for Christmas family photos.
What colors are best for Christmas family photos?
Deep jewel tones, warm neutrals, and muted holiday colors photograph beautifully. Burgundy, cranberry, forest green, navy, cream, camel, rust, and ivory are some of my favorite colors for Christmas family pictures.
Should Christmas family outfits match?
I recommend coordinating instead of matching. Everyone can wear different clothing while sharing a cohesive color palette. This creates a more natural and timeless look.
Can we wear red for Christmas family photos?
Absolutely! I recommend choosing deeper shades of red, such as burgundy, cranberry, or wine, rather than extremely bright red. These shades tend to photograph beautifully and still feel festive.
Can we wear green for Christmas family photos?
Yes! Forest green, sage, olive, and other muted greens are beautiful choices for holiday family photos.
What should toddlers wear for Christmas family photos?
Choose comfortable clothing that allows toddlers to move freely. Avoid scratchy fabrics, stiff clothing, tight waistbands, and brand-new shoes. Comfort is more important than having the perfect holiday outfit.
Can we wear jeans for Christmas family photos?
Absolutely. Jeans can work beautifully for family photos, especially for outdoor sessions. Pair denim with sweaters, dresses, textured tops, or layers to create a polished but relaxed look.
Can we wear white for Christmas family photos?
Yes, but I usually recommend cream, ivory, or warm white instead of bright white. These softer shades tend to photograph beautifully and are easy to coordinate with other Christmas colors.
When should we start shopping for Christmas family photo outfits?
Ideally, start shopping 6–8 weeks before your session. This gives you time to order clothing, try everything on together, make exchanges, and break in shoes before your Christmas family photos.
What if I don’t know what to wear for our family photos?
Send your photographer photos of the outfits you’re considering. As a St. Louis family photographer, I love helping families make sure their Christmas photo outfits coordinate with each other, the location, and the overall style of their session.
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