Apart from #selfies, I would have to say that #OOTDs are probably one of the most popular categories of images you will see out there on the internet! Obviously, if you are a fashion blogger, #OOTD (aka Outfit of the Day) photos are your bread and butter, but with so many fashion bloggers and style enthusiasts out there, its hard to stand out and really create a unique and beautiful image from something as simple as your outfit! So, I thought I would dedicate this latest installment of my Picture Perfect series to sharing my top tips to taking a better #OOTD!
Tip #1: Take it Outside
I think we are all familiar with those very common #OOTDs taken inside a bathroom or through a full length mirror, and no matter how cute the outfit, these pictures are inevitably underwhelming with bad lighting and a poor overall scene. If you really want to show your outfit in the most positive light, take it outside! Not only will the natural light be super flattering on the clothing, it is so much nicer to look at an #OOTD with some pleasant scenery. Just make sure that you aren’t taking the photo at mid day or in direct sunlight, unless you want that overly bright, ethereal look for your image.
Tip #2: Show your Outfit in Action
For the most part, staged photoshoots for #OOTDs rarely seem relaxed or natural. If you really want to give your audience a sense of the experience your outfit conveys, you need to show it in action. Go run some errands, have brunch with your friends, or get some work done in the office and in the midst of it, take a moment to snap some pictures of you living in your outfit. You might not get all the details of the outfit in your shot, but you will tell such a better story and create a much more compelling image!
Tip #3: The Devil’s in the Details
Just because it’s called an #OOTD doesn’t mean that you need to show your entire outfit! Sometimes focusing in on the little details like jewelry or a handbag, while providing just a suggestion of your outfit can be a very powerful way to help your audience imagine they are in your shoes. Next time your contemplating an #OOTD, consider getting a close up of your accessories and the texture and patterns of your clothing. It may not be the most traditional #OOTD, but when you do it right, it can be a work of art!
Those are my top three tips for taking a better #OOTD. Whether you are a budding fashion blogger, stylist or an amateur fashion connoisseur, I hope these tips help you to stand out amongst the many #OOTDs out there on the web. If you liked this post and want to put these tips into practice, make sure to tag me @MissTrenchcoat and let me know which tip you are trying to recreate in your own images. I’d love to see your outfits and how you are putting this information into practice on your own feeds.
P.S. Thanks so much to the sweet Chelsea McDonald and her talented photographer Paige Vaughn for providing me with the images featured in this post. Below is a little intro from Chelsea if you would like to get to know her better, definitely check this fabulous lady and her talented BFF out online!
About Chelsea McDonald “I’m currently finishing up my degree in English Literature at Texas State University. I also work full time in Austin, Texas at an online fashion retailer called Stitch Fix. When I’m not working or studying you can find me brunching in Austin, at home with a good book and glass of wine, or baking some sweet treats for the office. I would love for you to follow along on my Instagram: @chelseanmcd “
xoxo,
