One of the most common questions parents ask before their heirloom portrait session is simple:
What should my child wear?
Clothing plays an important role in heirloom portrait photography because these portraits are designed to feel timeless. Unlike everyday snapshots, heirloom portraits are meant to live on the walls of your home for decades — and even be passed down through generations.
The right clothing helps keep the focus exactly where it belongs: on your child.
I’m Meghan Goering, an heirloom portrait photographer serving Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and the Cedar Valley. Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of families select clothing that photographs beautifully and still feels classic years later.
Here’s what to consider when choosing outfits for heirloom portraits.
Choose Timeless Clothing
Heirloom portraits are designed to feel as beautiful thirty years from now as they do today.
Because of that, the best clothing choices tend to be simple, classic, and free from trends.
Some timeless options include:
- smocked dresses
- Peter Pan collars
- classic button-down shirts
- simple knit sweaters
- traditional children’s clothing
These styles have been part of heirloom portraiture for generations and photograph beautifully without distracting from your child’s face.
Several beloved children’s clothing brands are especially well known for heirloom portrait outfits. Some of my favorites include Feltman Brothers, Petit Ami, and the beautiful hand-smocked pieces created by Charlotte Sy Dimby.
These brands specialize in classic children’s clothing that feels both timeless and special — exactly the kind of pieces that photograph beautifully and never feel dated.
Soft Colors Work Best
Neutral or soft tones help keep the portrait feeling light and timeless.
Some of the most popular color choices include:
- ivory
- soft blue
- pale pink
- sage green
- cream
- light gray
Bright neon colors or bold patterns can pull attention away from your child’s expression, which is the heart of an heirloom portrait.
Avoid Large Logos and Busy Patterns
One of the defining features of heirloom portraits is their simplicity.
Clothing with large logos, graphics, or bold patterns can quickly make a portrait feel dated. Instead, solid colors or subtle textures work best.
The goal is for someone looking at the portrait decades from now to notice your child first — not the clothing.
Traditional Heirloom Clothing
In the Southern United States, heirloom portraits have long been paired with traditional children’s clothing.
Some of the most recognizable heirloom portrait styles include:
- smocked dresses for girls
- bishop dresses
- classic bubble outfits for babies
- white shirts with shorts for boys
These pieces often have beautiful hand-smocking or delicate embroidery and photograph especially well in heirloom portrait sessions.
While these styles are traditional, many modern families simply choose clothing that feels classic and understated.
Bare Feet Keep the Portrait Feeling Natural
For heirloom portraits, children are typically photographed without shoes.
Bare feet help keep the portrait feeling soft and natural, especially for younger children.
Since many heirloom portraits are cropped around the shoulders or waist, footwear is usually unnecessary anyway.
Consider the Finished Artwork
One of the unique aspects of heirloom portrait photography is that the finished artwork is often planned before the session even begins.
For example, if a family plans to display portraits in oval frames or create a painterly portrait, certain clothing styles may photograph especially well.
During the planning process, I help families select outfits that complement both the portrait style and the space where the artwork will hang in their home.
The Most Important Thing: Let Your Child Be The Focus
While clothing matters, the most important part of an heirloom portrait will always be your child’s personality and expressions.
The gentle smile, the thoughtful look, the little details that change as children grow — those are the moments we want to preserve.
Simple clothing simply helps ensure nothing distracts from that.
Planning Your Heirloom Portrait Session
If you’re considering heirloom portraits for your children, choosing clothing is something we will plan together.
I photograph heirloom portraits for families across Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and throughout the Cedar Valley, helping parents create timeless artwork they can enjoy in their homes for years to come.
If you’d love to begin your own heirloom portrait tradition, I would love to help you plan a session.
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