When taking passport photos, most people want to look their best. After all, this picture will likely be on your passport book or card for the next ten years. So, the better it looks, the happier you will be. However, while looking good is important, you should also ensure that you know what to wear for passport photo and adhere to the passport photo dress code. Otherwise, the state department will reject your passport photo and will not go through the passport processes. So, what should you wear?
What Not to Wear for Your Passport Photo
Generally, the best way to dress for a passport photo is like you would on a casual day. There is no need to dress officially or put on fancy clothes. But if you want to look great in your picture, you can splash on some good clothes to make a good impression. Even so, you should not be too dressy such that it affects the photo quality.
Can you see how ambiguous that photo description sounds? Many people find it hard to decipher what is too much and what is just okay for the photo. So, before we get into what you can wear to match the passport photo dress code, let’s talk about what not to wear for passport photo. Many people go wrong on this front and end up redoing their pictures due to slight mistakes. So, what should you avoid like the plague?
1. Uniforms
Do you own clothes that are or resemble uniforms? If yes, you cannot wear such clothes when taking photos as this is prohibited. The same goes for any clothes that have a camouflage effect. Anything you wear should be visible in the picture and not allude to your involvement with any organization.
2. Eyeglasses
If you wear eyeglasses, you should put them aside when taking the photo as they can bar visibility to your face. You should not wear them on your face or your head. Instead, your face should be clear to the person viewing the photo, making it easier for them to identify you. You may wonder if this rule applies to people who wear medical eyewear. The answer varies; we’ve explained more about this in the “What to wear” section.
3. Hats
Wearing head coverings might seem like a great way to bring out your style. But is this a good move when taking a passport photo? Can you wear a hat with a polo shirt? Not at all. Your head and hair should also be visible when taking a picture. If you cover your head, your passport photo can get revoked.
But does this rule apply to people who wear headwear for religious or other reasons? We explain where this rule may be waived and who can wear headwear.
4. Big Hair Accessories
Are you thinking about accessorizing your hairdo to make it more evident? While that might have you looking great in the picture, it might not be acceptable. As a rule, your hair accessories should not bar visibility to your face. Moreover, they should not be visible and should be tucked under your hair.
How about hair? Is there a specific way to style your hair? Yes! Your hair should not fall on your face and cover your eyes or eyebrows. Your facial features should all be visible. So, if you have any hair or accessories covering your face, you must remove them before taking the picture.
5. Headphones/ Earmuffs
Some people have taken pictures wearing earmuffs because the weather was cold. But unfortunately, this is not permissible. Like your face must be visible in the picture, the state insists on no ear coverings. So, you will need to brave the cold for a few minutes.
What about headphones? Can you get away with wearing headphones and have a cool picture that implies you love music? Not at all. Headphones also cover your ears and bar facial visibility, thus making it hard to identify you. These will also need to be off when taking your photo.
6. Makeup
Many people like to do a bit of makeup for their passport photos. And you may even be thinking about what color to wear for passport photo to match your makeup hue. But can you even wear makeup when taking a passport photo? The answer depends on the type of makeup you choose as follows:
- Light Makeup: If you use a bit of makeup to enhance your features, that should not be an issue. Anyone looking at the picture should be able to identify you even when you don’t have makeup. The idea here is to have a natural look.
- Strong Makeup: While layers of makeup are a great way to prepare for photoshoots, they don’t work for passport photos. The state department will not accept pictures where applicants look like they have a full face of makeup. So, you must tone down your makeup before taking any photos.
If you can, it’s best to avoid makeup when taking photos. Or you can use a bit of concealer, minimal eye makeup, and nude lipstick.
7. Distractions
The passport photo rules dictate that your face and shoulders should be clear. The background should also be white or off-white with no shadows. So, any objects in the shot will result in the disqualification of the photo. Ensure the background is visible and your face and hair comply with the photo rules.
Can you wear a turtleneck in a passport photo? Your neck should also be visible in the picture. Thus, any neck coverings like turtlenecks are not acceptable. Instead, you should find something that exposes your neck.
So, we’ve covered what you cannot wear, and it seems like an extensive list. Let’s look at what to wear for passport photo so you can know what’s acceptable.
Mistakes in Passport Photos
Some things you wear will pass the test. But once the pictures are out and cropped, you will realize they were a wrong choice. Below are some examples:
1. Tank Tops
Tank tops are casual yet eye-catchy clothing options. But can you wear tank top in passport photo? While nobody will discount your dressing choice, it does have a downside. Tank tops feature short or no straps. And when you take the picture, the straps and part of the tank top will be visible. But after it’s been cropped, the top will be barely visible. So, at first glance, the person looking at the photo may think you are not wearing anything! And you’d have the picture for a decade! So, when thinking about what shirt to wear for passport photo, do your best to choose a shirt that will be visible after cropping.
Along this line, you may ask, “can I wear t-shirt in passport photo?” The answer is yes! The collars will be visible in the photo and you will not run the risk of appearing unclothed in the final cut.
2. White Tops
Can you wear white in a passport photo? That would not be a good idea. The passport background should be white or off-white. So, if you wear a white top, your shirt would disappear in the final cut owing to the camouflage. And you’d end up looking like you were only a head.
So, what is the best color to wear for passport photo? Anything that will not blend in with the background. For example, dull colors like black and brown often work great. They do not distract from the face and do a good job of enhancing your features. You can play around with the hues to see what best fits your needs and wants.
3. Flashy Clothes
It might seem like a good idea to dress in this year’s trendy clothes. But given how fast fashion changes, your passport dressing may go out of style in just a few months or years. And you’d be stuck with a photo that spoke to your fashion sense years ago. It’s best to go with classic choices like shirts as these will rarely ever be obsolete in the fashion sense.
What to Wear for a Passport Photo
The adult passport has a validity of ten years before it expires. So, if you take a bad photo, you will either have to live with it or renew your passport before it expires. None of those options sounds fun. What can you wear to ensure you love your passport photo even a decade from now?
Anything that adheres to the following rules should be acceptable:
- The color should not be camouflaged or appear to be a uniform,
- The dressing should not be distracting,
- The clothing should not cover your face or neck, and
- The clothing should not blend into the background.
Thus, an example of what to wear for passport photo for woman would be a dull-colored shirt and minimal makeup and accessories. And when it comes to what to wear for passport photo for man, the idea would be the same, featuring a dull shirt, no headgear, and no distractions.
But what about the restrictions noted earlier? Is there leeway in some of them? Let’s have a look:
1. Eyewear
Eyewear falls into two categories. The first is casual eyewear which you don’t need but want. For example, many people wear anti-glare eyewear when working on their computers but don’t need it for vision. The second category is medical eyewear which helps people improve their vision and is integral to safety. You can wear medical eyewear when taking a photo. But there is a caveat – you must have a signed doctor’s statement ascertaining that you need the glasses. Else, you must remove them when taking the photo.
2. Hats
Some people wear hats for religious reasons. And if you have such a covering, you may wear it when taking a photo, provided you have a statement legitimizing the hat. Even if you belong to a religious organization, you must provide a statement showing the same. Else, you must take it off to expose your head.
3. Tattoos
Are tattoos an issue when getting a passport? Not at all. Such facial markings are considered part of your physique. Thus, if you have tattoos on your neck or face, you do not need to cover them up when taking a photograph. But you must ensure they are visible.
4. Piercings
Should you take off your piercings when taking your photo? Yes and no. The rule of thumb is that nothing should cover your face and neck. So, if the piercings get in the way of visibility, you cannot wear them. But if they do not, you will not need to get rid of them.
5. Jewelry
Wearing nice pieces for the passport photo is a great way to put your best foot forward. But will it affect the passport process? It depends on whether they cover your face and neck. Pieces that bar visibility are not acceptable. But those that do not get in the way get a green light.
6. Hearing Aids
People who often use hearing aids can wear them when taking passport photos. But those who don’t use them much can opt to remove them.
What you wear for your passport photo will not matter much. After all, the officials handling the photo will crop it to show just a bit of your shoulders and your entire face. So, even if you wear a dressy gown or put on your best shirt, it will not feature much in the photo. Choosing clothes, hairdos, makeup, and facial markings that align with the passport photo requirements is best.
If you need help with your passport photo, TVP is here to help! Not only can we guide you on how to take your photo, but we will also help you prepare your passport application. Additionally, we offer concierge, document review, and consultation services. And we can expedite your application and get you a passport in just days!
