What to wear for a street style photoshoot

By Mariya Harley · London · updated August 2026

What works for a street style shoot specifically

Colour. One strong element and everything else quiet. A city background is already busy — a coat in a single saturated colour reads from across the street, a printed shirt does not.

Fabric. Anything with weight and movement: a long coat, a wide trouser, a trailing scarf. Street frames are shot while walking and static fabric photographs static.

Footwear. Visible in almost every frame, because street style is shot full length. It is the one genre where shoes are a primary decision rather than an afterthought.

The thing that ruins frames. An outfit chosen without seeing the location. Grey coat, grey pavement, grey London sky — three tones of the same thing and no photograph.

In the bag. Plasters for new shoes, a lint roller for a dark coat, and a folded tote so you are not photographed holding a carrier bag. Check the forecast: a street session in London plans for rain rather than hoping against it.

Two rules that hold everywhere

• Steam it the night before — creases are the most expensive thing in any retouching bill and the cheapest to prevent.
• Bring options and decide on set, where you can see the light and the background rather than guessing at home.