You’ve booked your heirloom portrait for your child—yay! This is so exciting! But now comes the question: What is my child going to wear?

It’s completely normal for that to be one of your first thoughts. Your child is obviously the star of the portrait, but what they wear plays a big part in the overall look, too.

I’ve found that parents usually fall into one of two camps. Some know exactly what their child will wear because they’ve had the outfit picked out since they were born, or they have a special heirloom piece that has been passed down through their family. If you have something like this, I will always encourage you to use it! There is nothing sweeter than seeing your child wear something that holds meaning for your family.

Then there’s the other camp: “I have absolutely no idea what my child should wear!” 😂 If that’s you, don’t worry. That’s exactly why I put this post together! By the end, you’ll have a much better idea of what works beautifully for heirloom portraits.

Here are a few staples and details I always look for when putting together a beautiful heirloom outfit.

Less Is More

For heirloom portraits, simplicity and quiet elegance are perfect. A beautiful knit sweater or an intricate smocked dress can go so much further than multiple layers or bright, bold colors.

We don’t want the outfit competing with your child’s face or those darling little features that make them them. Instead, their clothing should complement them and add softness and elegance to the portrait.

It’s All in the Details

The little details can make an outfit feel extra special without becoming distracting. Elegant details can look like a soft ruffled collar, intricate smocking, touches of lace, darling buttons, beautiful embroidery, a peter pan collar, or a sweet, ruffled sleeve. Just remember, we don’t need every pretty detail on the same outfit! Choosing just one of these classic touches is more than enough to make the outfit feel special.

When it comes to color, solid pastels, neutrals, and muted tones are always a safe bet. Patterns can work beautifully, too, as long as they aren’t busy or bold. Soft florals and gingham tend to photograph especially well.

I also recommend avoiding plaids, sparkles, beads, and polos. Remember, we’re going for classic and timeless!

And for our girls, don’t forget a bow! You can always do a few portraits with it and a few without. More often than not, though, parents love the added softness a simple bow brings to the portrait. Plus, it can help pull those sweet little curls or flyaways away from her face.

When in Doubt, Shop Local!

Here in Knoxville, we have some amazing children’s boutiques that specialize in darling, heirloom-quality clothing. And the shop owners are usually more than happy to help you find the perfect piece!

Here are two that I personally love:

Little Happy

Twig’s Children’s Boutique

At the end of the day, the perfect outfit is the one that helps capture your child exactly as they are right now, so you can treasure this season for years to come.