Coordinating Family Outfits: Let's Elevate Your Style

As a mom to a lively family of five, including my husband, two daughters, and one son, coordinating family outfits for special occasions or photoshoots is both a joy and a challenge. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to ensure that our ensembles not only complement each other but also reflect our unique personalities. Here are the six steps I swear by when it comes to coordinating family outfits.

1. Choose a Color Palette To Coordinate Your Family Outfits

The first step in coordinating family outfits is to establish a cohesive color palette. I find it helpful to start with a primary color and then select complementary hues. For example, for our recent Easter outfits, I opted for a calming palette of creams and pastels, with hints of brown and navy for added warmth. By distributing these colors evenly among our outfits, we achieve a harmonious look that’s visually pleasing.

2. Mix Patterns and Textures For Interest

To add depth and visual interest to our coordinated outfits, I love mixing patterns and textures. Whether it’s incorporating subtle stripes, floral prints, or textured fabrics like denim and linen, mixing and matching patterns and textures can elevate our ensemble. For instance, I might pair my son’s powder blue linen suit with my daughters’ floral dress and my husband’s pastel linen suit for a playful yet coordinated look.

3. Determine the Focal Point and Use Accessories to Blend Your Outfits

Every coordinated outfit needs a focal point to tie everything together. Whether it’s a statement piece like my daughters’ embroidered dress or my husband’s bold tie, I always choose one outfit as the focal point and build the rest around it. Accessories play a crucial role in blending our looks seamlessly. Matching belts, scarves, or jewelry in coordinating colors help unify our outfits while allowing each family member’s individual style to shine through.

4. Feature Personal Style that Compliments the Other Outfits

While coordinating family outfits, it’s important to celebrate each family member’s personal style. Whether my daughters prefer girly dresses or my son loves graphic tees, I encourage them to incorporate elements of their personal style into their outfits. By featuring personal styles that complement each other, we achieve a cohesive yet diverse look that reflects our family’s dynamic personalities..

5. Plan in Advance

Coordinating family outfits requires careful planning and preparation. I always start planning our outfits well in advance to ensure everything comes together smoothly. From browsing online stores for inspiration to scheduling fittings and alterations, planning ahead allows me to address any wardrobe mishaps or last-minute changes. Creating a mood board or Pinterest board helps visualize our ensemble and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

6. If Taking Photos, Consider the Background

When planning a family photoshoot, I always consider the background scenery to ensure it complements our coordinated outfits. Whether it’s a picturesque park, a sandy beach, or a charming urban street, selecting the right backdrop enhances the overall aesthetic of our photos. I opt for neutral backgrounds that allow our outfits to take center stage while adding depth and dimension to our photographs. I also consider if I want to hang the photos in our home. If so, I make sure to compliment our decor for a cohesive look.

In conclusion, coordinating family outfits is a fun and rewarding experience that allows us to showcase our unity and style as a family. I do this because I love it. By following these six steps – determining the color palette, mixing patterns and textures, establishing a focal point, featuring personal style, planning in advance, and considering the background for photos – we create memorable moments that we’ll cherish for years to come. Hopefully we won’t look back at our photos and say “What were we thinking?” So, embrace your inner stylist, gather your crew and let your coordinated outfits tell the world y’all go together!