21 BOUDOIR OUTFIT IDEAS
Hey there! This guide is to help you with outfit ideas for your shoot (stuff you might already have in your closet!). We’ve included some ‘standard’ outfits but included possibilities many people don’t consider. My best advice is to bring outfits you LOVE and reflect your style.
1. Bra/Panty Sets
There are TONS of different kinds but I recommend a set that goes together. Mismatched items don’t photograph well.
Padded Bras vs. non-padded: Padded makes ‘the girls’ look perkier and/or voluptuous, BUT If you don’t need support or enhancement, ditch it. Padded bras can sometimes photograph as wonky or stiff in comparison to your body.
Quick Tip: Want to appear leaner? Bra/panty sets ‘cut you in half’ visually. A one-piece (like a bodysuit) will make you appear longer.
2. Teddies
Teddies come in tons of different styles, but some have support built in, some don’t. I’m here to tell ya if you need support, get one with built in cups!
4. Bodysuits
LOVE these. They look good on everybody and most include spandex (keeping tummies smooth but material is still stretchy).
4. Coats
Fur, trench, leather, blazer, etc. Coats (or jackets) should be close to your size (if too big we can use clips). This look is best with no bra and just undies.
5. His Shirt
Super popular choice, can range from a work shirt to military or civil service uniform. Often times the shirt is wayyyy to big, so we can use clips to keep your curves intact and make it look like your not wearing a tent. 🙂
Quick Tip: Shirts can be worn with or without underwear, but if wearing both bra and panty it will photograph better if they are part of a set or at least match in color.
6. tees + tanks
Looks best with no bra. For the ‘under boob’ look, cut the shirt a few inches below the nipple. Please plan accordingly for panties to match your tee/tank or a complimentary color.
7. Sweaters
Cardigans look great with either simple bra/panty set (or just nude). Oversized sweaters look awesome paired with thigh-high socks for a ‘winter’ look.
8. jeans
One of the simplest and sexiest outfits. Just wear with a bra or without! Other alternatives: leather pants, jean shorts.
9. heels + boots
The great thing with heels—they give a ‘lift’ to your bum when doing standing shots. Also, booty shots taken while laying down look better with heels. In my studio, I don’t make clients wear them the entire time either. I know they can be uncomfortable so we’ll usually get certain shots out of the way and then they can come off.
Quick Tip: Want to make legs look longer? Get nude shoes with a heel. They also go with pretty much anything.
10. Bustiers + Corsets
Bustiers are made for showing off ‘the girls’, corsets accentuate the waist. Both styles are not made for comfort but work well enough for the purpose of a shoot.
11. Robes + Kimonos
Robes look best used as an accessory unless its used loosely over a nude body. Often times they either hide a body (and make it look bigger) if just tied and used very literally.
13. High-Waist Panties
A lot of times these are the ‘functional’ pieces you have from companies like Spanx, but there’s a lot of companies that make them now. Look best without a bra.
15. tulle skirts
We have several tulle skirts at the studio available to those who book a Full Boudoir Session or add wardrobe to a Petite Session. Most have an elastic waist so as to fit a wide range of sizes. You can pair with your own bra, bralette or just no top at all.
Colors include:
Pale Pink (not shown), Bubblegum Pink, Black, Red (not shown), Cream (not shown), Baby Blue
16. Stockings
Thigh high, with garters and without. I recommend TRYING ON—they easily ‘pinch’ and don’t look like you hoped.
17. Body Jewlery
Best while nude, however simple panties could work. There’s lots on Amazon for cheap (just type in body jewelry).
18. masks
These are a fun way to create a totally different look to your other outfit. There’s on Amazon and Etsy.
19. bodystockings
Bodystockings look great on everyone! Their stretchy material accentuate you in all the right places. Pair with bra/panty or go nude underneath 🙂 PLUS, they’re super comfy.
20. sportswear
This is a big category as it can include jerseys, tees, undies with logos etc. I recommend instead of shoes or just bare feet to have sports socks to complete the look.
21. implied or nude
This ‘outfit’ can sound really intimidating to most people, but it’s a favorite among clients. For those a little nervous (but want to do it) we save it for the end of the session so that way you’re already used to the camera and the process. You can choose to show booty, breasts or we can use a sheet or hands to purposely cover those areas and make the images more of a teaser. Some clients go completely nude and some wear underwear. It’s really about your comfort level.
SHOPPING RESOURCES
Shopping Resources
Two big (common) online resources for lingerie:
Victoria’s Secret and Fredericks of Hollywood
I have a few other sources for you, however (I’m not a big believer in spending serious money on wardrobe). There’s is a HUGE difference in top quality wardrobe and ‘photo-shoot’ wardrobe (outfits that are good enough for a shoot)!
Amazon Wardrobe Suggestion list
Love or hate Amazon, they have TONS of stuff for an average of $20/outfit.
Quick Tip: A lot of this stuff is from China and may take 30+ days to arrive, plus it usually runs small compared to US sizes (like 2 sizes smaller). Plan accordingly.
Here are some other resources to check out (also more on the frugal side)…
Forever 21 Lots of variety for all sizes
Adore Me Decent variety, wide range of size
Yandy All sizes and they have a bigger selection of accessories Shein Afforadble prices with a wide variety of outfits to choose from plus sizes for curvier gals
Not a Budget Betty? Then these sites are for you…
Laperla This is stuff that really gorgeous and CLASSY
Agent Provocateur Combination of naughty and nice
OUTFIT FAQs
Other outfit tips…
Try on your outfits well before the shoot.
This goes for new outfits and/or something you haven’t worn in a while. Unfortunately, a lot of clients spend more time in the dressing room because they haven’t tried anything on. Don’t eat up your shoot time messing with outfits.
If you are bringing a dress or anything that wrinkles…
Put it on a hanger and don’t stuff it on a bag. We don’t have ironing capabilities at the studio and “just photoshopping it” is not an option.
Regarding Jewelry…
IMHO, less and simpler is best. Just have a few signature pieces and call it good.
New garments? Cut the tags…
This goes for new shoes too (which often there are stickers on the very bottom. Please remove before your shoot).