School Picture Day Clothing Guide for High Schoolers

That all-important school picture is soon after the new school year begins and having the right outfit is essential to making sure the photo turns out right and becomes a memorable one. After all, this photo may end up in a yearbook, as well as on your parents' wall. Keep some rules of photography in mind when choosing a school picture day outfit, as well as your own skin tone. Remember, more light shines on a school picture than on typical snapshots you take with your cell phone. Learn the best clothing to wear for high school picture day, as well as what colors work best with chosen backgrounds.


From the Top Up
While spring pictures often feature the entire body, fall picture day photos typically only feature your upper torso to the top of your head. Do not even worry about what you wear on bottom, as nobody will ever know when looking at the finished photo. Boys, this means you can wear a button down shirt and tie with a pair of jeans and anyone admiring his school picture will think he was wearing the suit pants to match. Girls, wear your favorite silk blouse with a pair of yoga pants and people can believe you dressed in your finest clothing for your school photo.

Solid Colors
Usually, the portrait company offers you an order form with background choices. If you opt for a print background, make sure to wear a solid-colored top so it does not clash with your print of choice. Even if you choose a solid background, a contrasting solid color works best in any picture. Prints overwhelm a photo and detract from your face, which is the true superstar and focal point in any school photograph. Girls, choose a solid-colored stretch cotton long sleeve scoop neck tee or a solid scoop neck sweater. Boys, pick from a selection of solid sweaters and button down tops. Avoid turtlenecks at all costs so your head does not look like it is floating without a body in the finished product. In the same vein, do not look for bling when choosing jewelry and accessories. Instead, make sure they remain understated. A simple gold chain or a small pair of post earrings are all you need to add an air of formality to your outfit without being too overwhelming.


Work With Your Skin Tone
With such heavy lights shining down on your face, you run the risk of your face washing out and blending into the background if you choose a color that does not complement your skin tone. Remember to contrast just as you did when choosing a color that contrasts with the photo backdrop. If your skin is dark, choose a yellow, orange, or blue top. If you have a medium skin tone, pick from shades like light orange, yellow, brown, and red. If you are light-skinned, take your pick from black, red, purple, brown, or blue. Girls, wear makeup that blends with your skin tone or the lighting may pick up a mismatch.


Your Top Choices
Remember, what you wear on top is all that counts when taking fall pictures at most schools, but that does not mean you need to make boring choices. Boys, choose from sweaters, collared short-sleeve Polo-style tops, or your best button down. Girls, your possibilities may seem endless. Show some shoulders in a tank-style top that complies with school dress codes. Choose a more formal tank made from a silk or rayon material to add a bit of formality to the photo. Wear your best silk long sleeve blouse or opt for a more casual look with a cotton button down. Make sure your tops fits your shape rather than being too baggy, as baggie shirts overwhelm a photograph and do not flatter your figure.


How to Buy School Picture Day Clothing for High Schoolers on eBay
Once you know the look you are going for, turn to eBay for school picture day shopping. Just use the handy search bar found on each eBay page for easy buying. Type what you need into the search bar and make sure to specify size and color to generate narrow results. Browse through eBay Stores and Daily Deals for money-saving options and look for trusted sellers with high feedback ratings and years of experience. When your new clothing items arrive, try them on for size and practice your best style in front of the mirror. Then, carefully put the outfit away so it remains unwrinkled when picture day arrives.