So, you’ve booked a portrait session in the Cotswolds – hooray! This is one of my favourite places to shoot, and I’m already excited for the dreamy golden fields, stone cottages, wildflower paths, and picture-perfect countryside backdrops we’ll explore together.

One of the most common questions I get in the lead-up to a shoot is: “What should I wear?”
And I get it – you want to feel confident, comfortable, and totally you, without clashing with the location or looking too formal.

Here are my go-to tips for choosing what to wear for your portrait session in the Cotswolds – whether it’s just you, a couple, or the whole family.

Think Natural and Timeless.

The Cotswolds and Warwickshire have this beautifully soft, natural colour palette – think stone walls, green fields, warm light, and muted skies. Outfits that lean into that vibe always photograph beautifully.

Stick to neutral tones like cream, beige, soft brown, olive, or dusty pinks and blues.
Avoid neons or big logos – they can distract from the emotion and landscape.
Earthy, natural fabrics like linen, cotton, or denim photograph especially well here.

Dress for Movement (and the Weather!)

Flowy skirts, relaxed fits, and layers that catch in the breeze always bring a bit of life to the images. Bonus points if you can spin in it!

Layers are your best friend – especially in the unpredictable British countryside.
Bring a cardigan, denim jacket or cosy jumper to throw on – even in summer (you never know!)
If we’re heading through fields or woodland paths, comfy shoes are a must (even if you swap them out for cute ones when we’re in position!).

Coordinating Doesn’t Mean Matching.

If there’s more than one of you in the photos, aim to complement each other’s outfits without going full ‘matchy-matchy’.

Pick a colour palette of 2–3 tones, and mix textures and layers within that.
For couples: one of you in a floaty dress and the other in rolled-up sleeves and chinos? A yes from me. (Or both of you in dresses or chinos, the choice is yours!)
For families: let the kids be comfortable too – we want them happy, not itchy or grumpy! Again, no logos or motifs, just neutral, comfy clothes!

Add a Personal Touch

Your outfit should feel like you. If that means a pop of colour, a hat you love, your favourite chunky jumper or a pair of statement earrings – bring it!

Photos are about capturing your personality, not dressing up like someone else. So if you feel fab in it, I’ll make sure it looks fab on camera.

Still Not Sure? Just Ask!

I’m always happy to help you pick! If you’re torn between two outfits, send me some pics and I’ll help you choose. You can even bring a spare or two to the shoot – we’ll have plenty of time for a quick outfit change.

Final Thought…

The most important thing? Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Your portrait session is about capturing you, in a natural and relaxed way – the laughter, the connection, the tiny in-between moments.

And with the stunning backdrops of the Cotswolds as our setting, we really can’t go wrong.

Got questions? Or ready to book your own portrait session?

Get in touch – I’d love to hear from you.