What to Wear for a Passport Photo (Best Shirt Color & Other Dress Code Tips)

Wondering what to wear for a passport photo?

According to the official State Department regulations, you should take a photo in “clothing normally worn daily,” preferably in darker colors without patterns or prints. Moreover, you’re not allowed to wear uniforms, prescription glasses, and headgear (unless for religious reasons).

But—

It’s not all.

Read on to learn all about the passport photo dress code and plan your outfit based on official guidelines.

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Interested in other aspects of US passport photos? Give these a read:

• Passport Photo Shadows: US Regulations Explained
• Appropriate Hairstyles for a Passport Photo
• Can You Smile in a Passport Photo?

Passport Photo Clothing: Dos & Don’ts

To answer the question once and for all: there is no specific dress code for the US passport photos.

What applicants should follow, though, are the official guidelines regarding pieces of clothing, colors, and accessories.

✅ Dos

Here’s what you should focus on while choosing your passport photo attire:

• Casual clothes. Even though suits and dresses aren’t prohibited, it’s better to show up for your US passport picture in your everyday outfit
• Darker colors. Choose a darker colored top (the best shirt color would be navy blue, black, burgundy, or darker shades of green). This way, your shirt will contrast with the required white or off-white background (light-colored clothes that blend with the backdrop may lead to rejection)
• Simple accessories. Opt for small, delicate earrings and hair accessories that won’t be easily visible

Now you know what’s good for your passport photo. What about the things you should avoid?

❌ Don’ts

Here’s what’s better to put away while dressing for your US passport photo:

• White clothes, and any other light-colored pieces as they can easily blend with the background and cause the “floating head” effect
• Uniforms and camouflage
• Visible hair accessories
• Excessive jewelry
• Glasses
• Head coverings

While most don’ts are indisputable, there are two exceptions to the rules.

Exceptions

In specific cases, these are allowed:

• Prescription glasses. US citizens are only allowed to wear their glasses for a passport photo if they’re absolutely necessary for the person’s vision. Plus, they must confirm their medical condition with a signed doctor’s statement
• Head covering is allowed only for religious or medical purposes. So, it’s okay to wear traditional religious attire, like a hijab or fedora, as long as no facial features are covered

In both cases, the applicants must ensure that their facial features are fully visible and that no shadows or glares are in the photo.

How to Dress for a Passport Photo—Tips

Still not sure how to compose your passport photo outfit? Worry not! Below you will find four extra tips that will help you pick acceptable attire.

Tip #1: Pick the casual

It’s better to choose everyday clothes rather than dress up for your passport picture. Remember that biometric photography’s role is to reflect a person’s everyday, natural look. Avoid heavy makeup and hairstyles that may disturb the photo or obscure your face.

Tip #2: Stick to darker colors & no patterns

What color to wear for a passport photo? Solid neutrals in darker shades (navy blue, black, burgundy, or emerald green) are a safe pick, as they won’t blend with the white or light gray background. Avoid prints and patterns, as they’ll be too distracting and may result in the rejection of your photo.

Tip #3: Limit the accessories

If you decide to wear jewelry for your passport pictures, be careful. Opt for small earrings and avoid shiny and long pieces. They may not only obscure your face, but also cause reflections. Put the necklaces and headbands aside. If you need to keep your hair in place, use simple bobby pins—preferably in the color of your hair.

Tip #4: Avoid turtleneck, high-collar shirts, or tank tops

Yes, we just mentioned “pick the casual” before. However, if you hesitate between a smart-casual turtleneck and a simple T-shirt, go for the T-shirt.That’s because turtlenecks and high-collar shirts can obscure your facial features. So, make sure to pick the clothes in which your face and the neckline are clearly visible.

Note: Ensure that you don’t wear anything that may be too revealing. That is why a tank top is a big no-no for passport photos—because of the way the pictures are cropped, you might look like you’re actually wearing nothing at all.

Outfit Ideas for Your Passport Photos

If you’re standing in front of your wardrobe trying on different outfits, this section is right for you.

Take a look at our five suggestions—mix them, pick the one you like, or just get inspired.

Note: The photos present acceptable outfits. Remember that wide smiles, glasses, and partially covered faces are not allowed in your passport photo.

1. A simple, dark-colored sweater is always a good idea.
2. Polo shirts are a timeless piece of clothing. It’ll be a good choice for your passport photo.
3. More elegant, dark shirt? It will do the trick.
4. If you’re traveling mostly for business purposes, you might want to take your US passport photo in a suit. And that’s fine, too.
5. A businesswoman look? Go for a jacket and a simple shirt.

Most importantly—choose the outfit you will feel comfortable in.

And if you still have some doubts about your passport photo clothing, get our experts’ feedback. Use PhotoAiD®—our easy-to-use passport photo tool, and get your photographs in under 3 minutes! Thanks to unlimited takes, you can experiment with your outfits as many times as you need.

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Passport Photo—What to Wear? [Recap]

The US passport photo dress code is rather lenient. Still, there are a few guidelines to follow:

• Opt for plain, dark colors without patterns or prints
• Don’t wear tank tops or uniforms
• Remove glasses and headgear (unless it’s worn for religious purposes)
• Avoid bulky and shiny jewelry (accessories can’t cause glare)

And if you’re still unsure if your outfit passes the test, check it with PhotoAiD®!

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Roxana Grabowska

Roxana is a writer with 3+ years of experience. As a Master in psycholinguistics, she blends her passion for language and communication with insights from diverse cultures, making her content resonate with a broad audience.