Planning to take family photos for the 2026 holidays and need to know what to wear? You’ll love my list of family Christmas picture outfit ideas for the inspiration you need!
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Family Christmas Photo Outfit Ideas 2026
With the holidays getting closer and closer, now is the perfect time to take your Christmas family photos! I truly love taking family photos – capturing those treasured moments for myself and my loved ones to enjoy for years to come is so amazing.
If you’re planning a family photoshoot this holiday season and need outfit inspiration, I’ve got you covered! Whether you’ll be taking photos in front of your Christmas tree or posing in snow, I have family Christmas pictures outfit ideas below that will have you and your loved ones looking stunning and festive at your upcoming photoshoot!
get the look:
Above is a photo from a casual Christmas shoot with my daughter and myself. I chose to keep our outfits casual for this shoot as we were just relaxing at home! I wore a grey knit sweater with off-white jeans, and my daughter wore a sweet floral dress. My husband and son (not pictured here) are in jeans and a neutral shirt to fit the overall neutral vibe!
Below you’ll see more beautiful family Christmas photos I found and what I love about the outfit choices!
How should I dress for a family Christmas photo?
When it comes to family Christmas photos, aim for a refined, timeless, and festive aesthetic. Below are my top picks for what to wear family Christmas pictures:
- Midi dress or skirt (think velvet, knit, satin, lace, or tulle)
- Cable knit sweater
- Flowy blouse
- Leather pants or skirt
- Jeans (if you’re dressing casually)
- Chelsea boots
- Knee-high boots
- Classic pumps or strappy heels
In my experience, you also want to consider the location of your photoshoot when choosing family photo outfits. If you’re taking photos outdoors, I suggest choosing something with long sleeves and adding warm, cozy layers. Alternatively, you can get away with lighter clothing if you shoot indoors.
Cadence Feeley, professional photographer and expert for Style Your Occasion, recommends starting with the mom’s outfit first, and then coordinate everyone else’s colors around hers! This makes an easy starting point to put together your palette for your family photos.
classic christmas tartan.
get the look:
Go for the ultimate holiday style with red and green plaid! These matching plaid pieces are oh-so-cute, and I love how each outfit is different but still tied together through this lovely pattern.
gold velvet, green & blue.
get the look:
I am in love with the rich, golden velvet on the Mom here – and it adds such a warm and vibrant aesthetic to these beautiful family Christmas photos! I definitely suggest using a hue like this to give your family Christmas photos a pop of bright color without taking away from the classic holiday feel.
ivory, holiday red & a pink tutu.
get the look:
Red and white is a foolproof combination for family Christmas photos. I love the varying shades of vibrant red in the girl’s sweaters, mom’s satin skirt, and the little red tights. The color pops but isn’t overwhelming in the photo with the mix of soft white, ivory, and beige.
Add a touch of fun by bringing in a subtle pink like this family did with the girl’s pink tutu – so precious!
puffed pieces + plush fleece.
get the look:
For families who love being outside no matter the season, you can dress for playful outdoor winter family photos and still look stylish and put together!
Sleek silhouettes, classic neutrals, and subtle details are the way to go. I love the soft, creamy neutrals here; they feel warm and charming while creating timeless family portraits. Choose heavier fabrics and plush pieces to stay snug during your winter wonderland photoshoot.
a white christmas.
get the look:
I think these bright, white outfits have such an elegant and classic look, especially when paired with the snowy white Christmas trees in the background. And I love the different fabrics used here to spice up these all-white outfits!
crimson & cream.
get the look:
These outfits are fantastic if your photography session is in early winter or if it doesn’t get too cold where you live. I love how the little girl’s dress has both crimson and cream, tying all the outfits together perfectly!
beige & shades of green.
get the look:
When picking a color palette for Christmas family photos, I recommend choosing one holiday color and two or three neutral shades. Green will always be a classic Christmas color and these gorgeous green shades above pair well with light neutrals like ivory and beige.
warm browns.
get the look:
If you want your Christmas cards to have a warm and inviting feel, brown would definitely be my go-to color for holiday photos. I love how there’s more than one shade of brown in the picture above, and the pops of white and denim blue help to balance out these warm hues.
icy tones.
get the look:
If you’re taking family photos at a Christmas tree farm and want to stand out among the green without dressing in traditional red tones, opt for a combination of navy, grey, and ice blue instead.
These soft tones above are timeless and understated while still giving these photos a wintry feel.
gingham & plaid.
get the look:
When most of us think about classic Christmas patterns, plaid and gingham tend to be at the top of the list. These prints look stunning in colors like brown, beige, and taupe – and I love how they add a festive feel to these neutral ensembles.
ivory & taupe with a touch of leather.
get the look:
This soft neutral color combo works so well against the Christmas tree in this indoor family photoshoot. I love the soft knit ivory sweaters (Quince has some very similar options here and here) paired with the muted taupe.
Mixing textures like leather, tulle, and knits creates depth to otherwise neutral outfits that can easily get lost in a photo.
espresso + creamy neutrals.
get the look:
Espresso tones, sandy beige, and splashes of ivory and cream create the most effortless and elegant color scheme. I love the casual, intimate feel of these photos, and I highly recommend a similar at-home setup if you want to achieve this aesthetic.
The outfits are minimalist but intentional, creating a clean, classy, comfortable look. For this, choose classic wardrobe staples and add simple pops of interest with patterns, subtly textured knits, and ruffles trim detailing.
statement pieces.
get the look:
In my opinion, you can never go wrong with adding a classy statement piece to your outfit – and a tulle skirt is perfect for exactly that! White tulle and a cable knit sweater instantly add a holiday feel, and the vibrant color of the son’s sweater adds a beautiful pop of color.
I also love the addition of chunky Mary Jane shoes for a bit of contrast, although you can go for black or nude pumps for more subtle footwear.
silk + velvet.
get the look:
Bright Christmas red is never a bad choice for winter family photos. This classic color pairs perfectly with traditional textured knit sweaters, tiered skirts, and velvet pieces.
I love how this family chose a matching off-white hue to balance out the rich tones. The subtle pops of deep, earthy green are ideal for an obvious Christmas look, though navy or even stark black would work as well.
cozy neutrals & knit pieces.
get the look:
I love how knit pieces always give off such a cozy vibe, and these pieces are a must for outdoor winter photoshoots! Plus, they help give these outfits a unified look, while the combination of neutral shades adds depth and contrast!
pops of plaid.
get the look:
If you want a casual Christmas aesthetic, simple plaid pieces like a flannel shirt or shacket are a great way to achieve that. I adore the combo of brown, black, and white here; they give the outfits and photo a timeless appeal. But you can choose a more colorful plaid print as well.
matching pajamas.
get the look:
When it comes to family outfit ideas, matching Christmas pajamas will always be one of my favorite looks! If you don’t want exact matching PJs, choose pieces with the same colors and style, like in this family photo above.
maroon + tartan.
get the look:
Pine green tartan or plaid with sparkling maroon dresses are perfect for an elevated yet fun holiday vibe.
I am obsessed with the matching outfits here, and it’s ideal for smaller families. However, you can still create a coordinated look in larger families by adding check elements, sequins, and pops of maroon throughout each outfit.
black on black.
get the look:
Black is timeless and sophisticated, so don’t be afraid to choose this dark shade as part (or all) of your family Christmas photo palette. The green tree and gold ornaments help to break up the dark colors here. Although, black Christmas family outfits would look so gorgeous against a snow-white background!
earthy tones.
get the look:
Choosing a simple color palette can be helpful if you’re dressing yourself and a handful of little ones. Cream, beige, and brown go together effortlessly here, and sticking with these earthy neutrals gives so many different pieces a cohesive look.
gorgeous shades of green.
get the look:
Emerald, hunter, and forest green create a beautiful blend of earthy holiday tones. These colors are perfect against the red vintage truck in the background. I love the subtle splashes of red on the children’s tops, breaking up the darker, organic shades while adding to the Christmas vibes.
With a mostly monochromatic palette like this, the mix of knits, plaid, and satin gives these outfits a stylish and cohesive holiday aesthetic.
christmas red & lacy white.
get the look:
Gorgeous, feminine dresses are my top pick for formal Christmas family photos! These outfits are classy and elevated, and the flowy pleated dress and lacy details on the girl’s dress add some charm to the images without taking away from the elegant aesthetic.
velvet & tulle.
get the look:
I always recommend adding different textures and fabrics to any outfit, and this tip is perfect for family Christmas outfits! Velvet, tulle, and plush coats give these holiday photos a fun and festive vibe, yet the photos are so stunning and timeless!
white, beige & emerald green.
get the look:
Crisp white and emerald green pop so beautifully next to one another! These outfits are so simple but have an undeniable Christmas feel, and you can easily wear these outfits again and again throughout the holiday season.
elevated comfort.
get the look:
Chinos, chunky sweaters, and miniskirts work perfectly for a casual and comfy yet refined aesthetic.
As always, sticking with a neutral palette creates a timeless aesthetic and creates cohesion between multiple outfits. This color scheme, with classic winter pieces, works well against a rich, earthy backdrop with subtle holiday colors. However, don’t be afraid to add color in simple ways, as the mom did with her tartan scarf.
holiday prints & sparkling details.
get the look:
And last on my list of family Christmas pictures outfit ideas is this stunning family photo. The brightness from the shimmering dresses is so lovely, and I love how the plaid dress still matches the aesthetic. The classic neutral pieces that the son and father are wearing perfectly balance the vibrant red outfits.
Finding Christmas family photo outfits ideas doesn’t need to be challenging. Use this style guide as inspiration and have a stress-free holiday photoshoot, knowing your outfits will look flawless!
More Style Inspiration You’ll Love:
19+ Winter Family Photoshoot Outfits
16+ Classy Christmas Outfits To Copy This Holiday Season
32+ Whimsical White Christmas Nails You’ll Love
The Best Dresses For a Family Photoshoot (& Which To Avoid!)
