The most asked question at boudoir session consults is “what outfits do you recommend”. I usually send clients the link to my What to Wear series, part’s 1, 2, 3, but I think, since it has been a year, it’s time to update for 2018. I have so many updated boudoir outfit tips, so be ready to take notes!
Size Matters
I think the most important thing is to make sure your outfits, especially your bra and panties, fit correctly. Some important boudoir outfit tips to note:
- You want your underwear to be about 1 size bigger than you normally wear. I think most women(or maybe it’s just me) tend to want to fit in the size they wore in high school or college. You don’t want the lace to look stretched or to create a muffin top. An even worse situation is when you spent the money for Calvin Klein underwear and the letters are stretched out!
- Make sure your bra fit is flattering as well. While I do love bralettes, they aren’t flattering to all body types, especially if they don’t hold the girls up. You also want to make sure that when you lie down, your bust stays in the cups/fills them out. Padded bras are great in most situations, but some poses may be better with non-padded bras (more lacy maybe), so be sure to bring several different bra types.
Bodysuits
One of my main boudoir outfit tips for bodysuits is to find a bodysuit that is high waisted. It will give the illusion that your legs are several inches longer than they are. Most thong bodysuits are high waisted, so look for those. If you can find a body suit to show off side boob, that’s a win as well! My favorite places to find these bodysuits are Forever21 and Urban Outfitters. Both places have the bodysuits that meet my criteria for the perfect boudoir outfit.
Pair them with an off the shoulder sweater, a jacket, or maybe a button up to really knock this outfit out of the park!
Sweaters
When clients ask for boudoir outfit tips, I usually mention sweaters! I really love off the shoulder sweaters/ tees. There’s so much potential to make the images look more fashionable here. There are a few pointers to remember with this one though. You don’t want the sweater to be too large or bulky. If they are, this ends up making you look and feel bulky. The lighter sweaters/tees/henley’s are actually better for boudoir outfits because they allow for more movement. I love pairing sweaters with thigh high knit socks. The cozy looks always makes a girl feel great about herself!
Crop Tops
I LOVE that crop tops are in now. They can be so fun to photograph with so much potential in boudoir. This won’t work for everyone, but some women can get away with showing under boob with crop tops, which from what I hear, is considered really sexy by guys. You have to have the right bust for this though!
Crop tops are easy to work with and still shows enough skin to make you feel sexy. I like the looser tops usually but it’s always best to bring more options than less. The only time I will really recommend the tighter crop tops are if we can get away with showing under boob!
Robes
A pretty silk or lace robe really makes a girl feel sexy. There is so much you can do with a robe during your session. From wearing it like normal, holding it off your shoulders, maybe giving the camera a look over your shoulder (don’t worry I will help you get that “look”), and strategically covering the areas that you want covered, robes have so much potential.
Nude
I think this outfit choice scares a lot of women. Just remember, I am a woman, too. It will just be the two of us in the studio, and we are going to cover the areas that need to be covered! Implied nudes can really show off your femininity, curves, and your confidence, which is the sexiest trait of all. Trust me, these images will end up being some of your favorites!
High Heels
A lot of my clients tell me they aren’t comfortable walking in heels. I’m not making you walk in them, so no worries. We will pose in them. The main criteria for heels for boudoir photography is to be sure they are 4-5 inches tall. Pumps are the best because they add a few extra inches to your legs when you stretch out and point your toes, and they make you feel beautiful.
I also love ankle booties with heels with the right outfit. I seriously love this outfit. The sweater paired with these booties my clients just happened to wear to her session ended up being my very favorite photo from her set of images.
Accessories
I am planning to write another blog post specifically on this topic in a few weeks, but until then, I want to discuss this topic a bit. Accessories can make or break the outfit. A set of pearls is not going to go very well with your man’s huge Blues Jersey (which I don’t recommend anyway, but you get the point). It would look great with a silk robe, thigh highs and a lace bra and panty set though. What I am getting at here is be logical with your accessories.
Necklaces work with some poses, but not for all. I love when some chunky (pretty but not gaudy) jewelry falls around the cleavage. It feels so classy! We will dive more into this in the accessory blog post to come, but I wanted to toss out some ideas!
Earrings can be too much if they are too dangly. Simple is better with earrings, especially if you are pairing them with a necklace. Stick to gold hoops, diamond studs, etc.
Other Boudoir Outfit Tips
When you wear something sporty, maybe add some lace underwear in the mix to make it feel a bit sexier. I know we have a lot of Blues fans in St. Louis, and some girls want to wear the jerseys. I would recommend going with a fitted tee with the logo instead. Those hockey jerseys can swallow you up since they typically aren’t fitted, which means they aren’t very flattering to a woman’s body! Boudoir photography is specifically to show off those curves after all!
Think about pairing your sporty outfits with a pair of thigh high knit socks or even thigh high stockings. Your man is sure to love this idea!
Conclusion
There are so many options for outfits. The more outfit options you bring to the session, the better. I can help mix and match during the session!
Did these boudoir outfit tips help you out? Do you have any questions about anything in this article? Email me! I would love to hear from you!
Are you ready to book? Email me at hello@boudoirbytracylynn.com so we can discuss your session!
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