What to Wear for a Boudoir Photoshoot (and What Looks Best on Camera): Advice from a Boudoir Photographer

athousandwordstexa
Nov 7, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Nov 11, 2025

boudoir photo of woman in long green sheer slip showing leg while looking over shoulder with black studio background.

Let’s talk lingerie, confidence, and how to avoid the dreaded wardrobe panic

So, you’ve booked your boudoir photoshoot (yay, go you!) and now you’re staring at your closet wondering, “What the heck am I supposed to wear?”

Here’s the secret: boudoir isn’t about what you wear — it’s about how you feel in what you wear. But since “confidence” isn’t sold in a matching set at Victoria’s Secret, let’s get practical and talk about how to prep your wardrobe for photos that make you feel powerful, sexy, and totally yourself.

1. The golden rule: bring what makes you feel you

If you love classic lace, bring it.If you’re more of an oversized t-shirt and messy bun kind of gal, bring that.If your favorite “lingerie” is actually your partner’s button-up shirt — you guessed it — bring it too.

My Sugar Land boudoir clients always tell me the same thing afterward: “The photos I loved most weren’t the ones I thought I would.”

That’s because confidence photographs better than anything else.

2. The lingerie basics — a quick cheat sheet

Here’s your “capsule wardrobe” for boudoir sessions:

Bodysuit: universally flattering, elegant, and great for all shapes.
Matching bra & panty set: easy and timeless.
Something sheer or lacy: adds dimension and softness.
Something casual: think t-shirt, tank top, or cozy sweater for those “effortlessly hot” shots.
A statement piece: maybe a silk robe, corset, or heels you’d never wear outside your bedroom (and that’s the point).

Pro tip: Bring neutral tones (black, white, nude) plus one pop color that suits your skin tone — like burgundy, emerald, or dusty rose.

3. What not to wear

Let’s save you from a few rookie mistakes:

Shiny satin = reflects weirdly in photos.
Fluorescent colors = make skin look unnatural.
Busy prints = distract from you.
Tight straps or small pieces = create marks on skin (ouch, and also visible on camera).

4. Don’t forget accessories

Jewelry, thigh-highs, garters, even a favorite necklace — these details tell your story.And if you’re into glam, we can absolutely go full bombshell mode. But if your vibe is more “barefoot and dreamy,” that’s equally stunning.

5. Mix it up

Bring at least three to four looks if we’re shooting a full session. We’ll plan out the sequence together — maybe something soft and cozy, something bold and sultry, and something editorial or glam.

I’ll help you pair pieces and adjust lighting to match the outfit vibe. That’s part of the magic of a custom session here in my Sugar Land studio.