4 Wardrobe Tips for Fashion Shoots
Wardrobe, HMUA, and Styling Credit: Malen
Follow her: malen (@muhlenism) • Instagram photos and videos
The backbone of a fashion photoshoot is the wardrobe itself. The clothes are the subject, the main character, the vibe. Therefore, it is important to do this correctly. Here is my best advice:
1) Find a stylist
A stylist speaks the language of fashion and can help discern what will look "good" vs what will look "elevated." They are just there to focus on the clothes. They will also focus on how the clothes look on the model and can make adjustments such as steaming garments to remove wrinkles and pinning things in place. A good stylist will have a portfolio of work similar to the look and feel you are going for, and will help with things like a "pull letter" from magazines to get specific designer pieces. They or their assistant will collect and return garments and keep them in pristine condition.
2) Research trends
Runway shows, magazines, even AI data can show you what's trending right now. Publications are more likely to pick up your editorial if it features a relevant trend. One of my favorite 2026 trends is the re-emergence of bold colors and color blocking in fashion. I went to fashion school in the 2010's, and color blocking was -everywhere- especially jaunty monochrome looks like head-to-toe cobalt blue. 80's inspired maximalism is also back in a fun and empowering way, shaking off the beiges of yesteryear as we dust aside our winter jackets for summer silhouettes. Between these and the re-emergence of animal prints, designers are really beginning to play again, which is fun to see. As a photographer, you should always be researching fashion even if you stick to comfortable basics for your own aesthetic (I'm one to talk.)
3) Consider vintage
Vintage never goes out of style and can create a unique perspective. It is also more eco friendly to purchase vintage clothing. Even vintage pieces can fit with modern trends depending on the look and specific garment. One of my favorite photoshoots that I did featured vintage faux fur coats and shades, creating an "old hollywood meets modern mogul" aesthetic. I've traveled far and long to source vintage pieces, and I have to say (this is NOT sponsored) my all time top picks for vintage stores are L train Vintage in NYC (it's also very much size inclusive!) and Outskirts Vintage Clothing in Farmington, Maine.
4) Get thrifty
Thrift shops, especially designer-heavy ones, can feature trendy and relevant pieces at a fraction of the price. Show your moodboard to an associate and see if they can help you find a piece that looks similar to what you're looking for- I've had lots of luck with this. I once sourced a designer jacket in my size for $99 (was worth thousands) because it had a small stain on the lining (who looks at the lining?) and no one else who tried it on could fit the garment so they marked it way down. I still get compliments on the jacket to this day. The Savers chain of thrift shops is my personal favorite, but I also really like Domsey Express in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
The clothes don't make the human, but they DO make the photo! It's time to get our creative brains moving and put the "fashion" back in fashion photography.
Fashionably yours,
Kayleigh
