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11 of Most Photogenic Clothes You Can Wear (So You're Instagram-Ready All the Time)

Now every angle's your best angle

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photogenic clothing woman in black sweater UNIV
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If you just took a picture with some friends and are wondering why your favorite outfit just looks off on camera, it's because, yes, photogenic clothes do exist. And, yup, this is the camera's fault. The two-dimensional snapshots flatten and widen, so it's tough to get your cute outfit to look like it does in the mirror on camera. If Annie Leibovitz isn't the one capturing your tipsy, post-brunch photo with your friends, odds are, you may question if the outfit you have on is as great as you thought. Fear not, there are tons of staple wardrobe pieces that will photograph wonderfully and flatteringly.

Generally speaking, we all have different body types and we all have outfits that make us look and feel good. But there are a few key styles that just seem to work on everyone. Here, what to add to your closet.

25 of the Best Oversized Blazers for Nailing the Quiet Luxury Aesthetic


photogenic clothing fitted sweater
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1. A Fitted Sweater

Save your oversized knits for another day (or perhaps every other day because they’re so dang comfortable). On photo day, opt for a form-fitting style in a lighter fabric to avoid adding any bulk to your frame. A simple sweater also helps to tone down flashier bottoms or accessories.

photogenic clothing wide leg pants
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2. Wide-Leg Pants

Much more flattering than skinny jeans, a wide-leg pant skims your hips and creates the illusion of longer legs. Wear them with the aforementioned fitted sweater to keep proportions in check and the overall look streamlined. If you're going for a wide-leg look, grab ones that skim the floor and are high waisted to give you even more length in photographs. Bonus points if they have vertical pleats for some crisp, clean lines, too.

photogenic clothing midi skirt
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3. A Midi Skirt

As far as fashion trends go, the midi skirt is the great equalizer in that it works on most people—and is pretty timeless. Bust out your trusty A-line one or try a minimalist slip one for an extra-slimming effect. Since this silhouette tends to hit mid-calf in length, you don't want to cut yourself off by wearing a longer shirt or flat shoe with this look, especially if you're on the shorter side. Go for a heel and tucked in or cropped shirt.

photogenic clothing strappy heels
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4. Strappy Neutral Heels

The most popular shoe on the red carpet for good reason, neutral heels lengthen your legs, straighten your posture and don't clash with nearly anything else you’re wearing. Straps also give the look a feminine, daintiness, too. Going for a more minimal heel shape is what we recommend, but if you want to go with a block heel, grab a pair with a subtler, more rectangular profile to avoid looking too clunky on the bottom.

photogenic clothing button down shirt
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

5. A Button-Down Shirt

This classic layering piece does for your neckline what the nude heel does for your legs: elongates. Just make sure to undo a button or two up top to keep it from looking stuffy. Button-down shirts are no longer just for the office or school uniforms, you can wear them over swimsuits, as a cute set, with a pair of jeans and more. Keeping the top few buttons undone will show off your décolletage and the collared neckline gives some structure for a clean, put together aesthetic. Whether you choose a linen, gauze or cotton button-down, the classic, crisp look of this shirt looks great on camera.

photogenic clothing hoop earrings
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6. Hoop Earrings

Hoop earrings, no matter how big, small, slim or thick, can elevate even the most casual of outfits. When it comes to photos, the classic simplicity of a hoop earring doesn't draw attention away from your face, but frames it while accessorizing your outfit of the day.

photogenic clothing off the shoulder
Claudio Levenia/Getty Images

7. Off-the-Shoulder Necklines

This sultry style is also supremely flattering because it shows off your shoulders and collarbones while keeping your upper arms (aka the widest part of your arm) covered. Not to mention the lack of fabric will make your neck look longer in photographs. The style is versatile, from sweaters to billowing blouses, so there are options for every occasion.

photogenic clothing trousers
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8. Trousers With A Tuck

So what do you do with all of your oversized knits and blouses? Tuck them into a pair of trousers to show off your waist and give them some shape. To accentuate your waist even more, add a belt to separate your top and bottom pieces. This pairing is an automatically sleek and classy look, and to add some extra length, slip on a pair of heels.

photogenic clothing blazer
Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images

9. A Sleek Blazer

There’s nothing like a good structured shoulder to make the rest of your frame look lithe. Go for a sharp suiting look or tame a slip dress with a sleek blazer to go from wedding guest to office-chic. Oversized blazers are a great choice over a more contoured outfit, like a mini dress, and they can be dressed down with a cropped tee and pair of jeans, too. A tailored blazer, on the other hand, looks less trendy, more business-forward. Either option will serve as an outer layer to your outfit that adds a bit of structure and polish—making you look more pulled together—no matter what you have on underneath.

photogenic clothing open jacket
Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images

10. An Open Trench Coat

Like the fitted blazer, an open trench coat gives your outfit a little frame. Just make sure you’re not drowning in fabric beneath it. Keep the rest minimal and close-cut. We recommend opting for a coat with a little bit of structure and heft to it so it doesn't look like it's dead weight on top of your outfit. For example, instead of a super light, cotton trench, go for a leather or wool-blend one.

photogenic clothing straight jeans
Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin

11. Straight-Leg Jeans

Jean trends come and go faster than we can keep track of, so opting for a pair of classics like straight-legs will keep your wardrobe a little more fluid from season to season. With that being said, the right pair of straight-leg jeans will make your legs look long and your outfit look put together even if you're only wearing an old tank top. When styling straight jeans, go for a pair that are high-waisted to elongate the lower half of your body and add a tucked in top or a cropped one so it doesn't overlap the waistline.


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