What to Wear for Your 90s Editorial Studio Family Photos

Think 90s Gap ads. A little Calvin Klein. The kind of family photos that could have appeared in a fashion magazine 30 years ago and would still look just as good today.

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That's the inspiration behind my 90s Editorial Studio sessions.

The styling is a big part of what makes these photos work, but the good news is that you probably already have most of what you need in your closet.

Here's how to pull it together.

First, Please Don't Match

I mean it. Resist the urge to put everyone in white shirts and blue jeans.

The goal is to look like a family of individuals who happen to look really good together. Think coordinated, but not matching.

If Mom is wearing jeans and a white tee, Dad could wear dark trousers and a charcoal sweater. One kid might wear a striped rugby shirt, while another wears denim overalls.

You want some variety in color, texture, and silhouette. When everyone wears the same thing, all that personality gets lost.

And please, no matching family photo outfits from Amazon. I'm begging you.

Start With the Basics

The 90s were a great decade for simple, unfussy clothes. A lot of the pieces that defined the era are still wardrobe staples today.

Some of my favorites for these sessions:

• Straight-leg or relaxed-fit jeans

• Plain white, black, or gray tees

• Oversized button-down shirts

• Ribbed tank tops

• Crewneck sweaters

• Cardigans

• Denim jackets

• Chinos and tailored trousers

• Striped rugby shirts

• Overalls

• Simple dresses with tights

• Leather belts and classic sneakers

  
  

Don't worry about making everything look perfectly put together. A slightly oversized shirt, rolled sleeves, or a sweater casually thrown over a tee can make an outfit feel more interesting.

Color Is Good. Just Be Intentional.

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You don't have to dress everyone in neutrals, although a neutral palette certainly works well for this style.

Start with classic colors like cream, gray, navy, black, chocolate brown, and denim blue. Then add some color.

Burgundy, forest green, butter yellow, faded red, and muted blue all fit beautifully into that vintage fashion-ad aesthetic.

A colorful sweater or striped shirt can be a great focal point, especially when the rest of the family's outfits are fairly simple.

The trick is to make sure the colors look good together without repeating the same colors on every person.

Denim Is Your Friend

If there's one thing 90s fashion campaigns did exceptionally well, it was denim.

Light-wash jeans, dark denim, oversized denim jackets, overalls, and even denim skirts are all great options.

Mixing different washes is encouraged. In fact, I'd much rather see Mom in dark jeans, Dad in khakis, and one kid in light-wash overalls than an entire family wearing identical jeans.

And don't feel like you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Your favorite broken-in jeans are probably a better choice than something brand-new that doesn't feel like you.

Play With Proportions and Layers

One of the easiest ways to make simple outfits look editorial is to mix silhouettes.

Try pairing a fitted tee with relaxed jeans, an oversized sweater with slim trousers, or a loose button-down with a simple skirt.

Layers also add visual interest without requiring complicated outfits.

An open button-down over a tank, a cardigan over a tee, or a jacket that can be slipped on and off gives us a little variety during your session.

What About the Kids?

Kids are probably the easiest people to dress for this style.

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Think striped shirts, overalls, relaxed jeans, simple sweaters, vintage-inspired dresses, and classic sneakers.

A little bit of oversized clothing can look great, especially on younger kids. Just make sure nothing is so big that they're constantly adjusting it.

And don't be afraid to let their personalities show. If your kid has a favorite pair of jeans or a sweater they insist on wearing every other day, there's a good chance it'll work.

Comfort matters, too. I want kids to be able to sit, stand, climb into your lap, and move around without anyone worrying about their clothes.

A Few Things I'd Skip

There aren't many hard rules, but there are a few things that tend to work against this particular look.

Matching outfits: Yes, I'm mentioning it again. It's that important.

Big graphics and logos: A small, classic logo can work, but large graphics, slogans, and character shirts tend to pull attention away from faces.

Busy prints: Simple stripes and subtle patterns are great. Lots of competing prints can get distracting.

Super trendy pieces: Think timeless 90s basics rather than an entire outfit built around whatever is trending on TikTok this week.

Anything uncomfortable: If you're going to spend the entire session tugging at a shirt or convincing your kid to tolerate an itchy sweater, pick something else.

A Few Outfit Combinations to Get You Started

If you're having trouble picturing how all of this comes together, here are a few combinations I'd love to see.

The Classic Gap Ad

Mom in straight-leg jeans and a black fitted tee. Dad in khakis and a cream sweater. One kid in denim overalls and a striped shirt. Another in navy trousers and a white tee.

The Cozy 90s Look

Mom in a chunky oatmeal sweater and dark jeans. Dad in a faded blue button-down and charcoal trousers. One kid in a burgundy cardigan and jeans. Another in a simple cotton dress with tights.

The Slightly More Fashion-Forward Family

Mom in wide-leg trousers and a fitted tank. Dad in relaxed denim and an open button-down over a tee. One kid in a striped rugby shirt and chinos. Another in a denim skirt, tights, and a crewneck sweater.

The Casual Weekend Look

Mom in vintage-wash jeans and a tucked-in tee. Dad in a navy crewneck and olive chinos. One kid in a red sweater and jeans. Another in a simple striped dress and sneakers.

Notice that nobody is wearing the exact same thing. That's the idea.

One Last Thing: Don't Overthink It

You don't need to look like professional models or buy a bunch of new clothes to pull off this style.

Start with what you own. Lay everyone's outfits out together and see how they look.

Mix up the colors, add a little texture, and make sure nobody looks like they're wearing a uniform.

These sessions are inspired by the fashion photography of the 90s, but I still want your family to look like your family.

And if you're torn between two outfits, send me a photo. I'm always happy to help.