What Teen Guys & Teen Girls Should Wear for Acting Headshots (Commercial + Theatrical)

If you’re parenting a teen actor in Orlando (or anywhere casting is looking at digital submissions), wardrobe is one of the fastest ways to help a headshot work — or quietly sink it.

Casting directors move quickly. They’re asking: Does this teen look the right age? Do they feel commercial… or theatrical? Would I bring them in?

Your teen’s outfit answers part of that question before expression even lands.

This guide is specifically for teen guys and teen girls (about 13–18) getting commercial and theatrical acting headshots — the two looks most agencies want on file. Below you’ll find the rules we use in studio, plus illustrative example looks so you can shop and pack with confidence.

Quick note: The outfit examples on this page are created as educational visuals for wardrobe guidance. They’re here to show clothing choices that photograph well for commercial and theatrical teen headshots — not as a substitute for your teen’s own photos.

Commercial vs Theatrical

Most teen actors need both.

Commercial headshots

• Friendly expression — always

• Smile should feel natural and real

• Clothing: fun, bright, youthful, modern

• Colors: medium-to-light / saturated (avoid washed-out pastels)

• No gray or black for most teens on commercial

• Layers are welcome if they’re light (not heavy)

Theatrical headshots (film / TV / theater)

• Kind, present, focused — calm energy

• Soft closed-mouth or simple almost-smile (older teens can go more serious, but still youthful)

• Clothing: simple, medium to darker tones

• Color nearly always looks best; black/gray is okay around 15+

• One layer is usually best (a thin second layer is okay if it doesn’t feel heavy)

• Hair for girls: normally down, natural, not too glam

If you want a deeper dive on expression, start here: Commercial vs Theatrical Acting Headshots for Children and Teens.

The rules you can’t ignore

You can pick the perfect color and still end up with an unusable look if these get skipped:

1. Modest / high necklines. Teens: do not show cleavage. No midriff.

2. Fit matters. Not drowning them. Not too tight (button-ups that pull are a problem).

3. No logos, slogans, or big graphics. Casting should see your teen — not a brand.

4. Avoid neon.

5. Avoid tiny busy patterns (like houndstooth) that can look wavy on camera.

6. Clothes should be new or like-new — clean, crisp, and wrinkle-free on hangers. We won’t have time to iron a full wardrobe in session.

7. Try the full outfit on at home (especially if you’re adding a layer). Make sure the collar lines up and the layers play nicely together.

For broader commercial wardrobe strategy (including layers and “All-American” looks), see our All-American Commercial Wardrobe Guide.

Teen girls · Commercial wardrobe

Goal: youthful, modern, vibrant, joyful.

What works

• Solid crewnecks in saturated color (coral, cobalt, terracotta, rich pinks/teals)

• Older-teen neutrals that still have life (sage, olive)

• Light florals that stay young and friendly

• Light layers: cream cardigan, light-wash denim shirt

• Patterns or solids — keep patterns subtle and “catalog”

What to skip

• Super-light pastels that don’t photograph well

• Gray / black on commercial

• Heavy jackets that crowd the frame

• Glam hair, heavy makeup, statement jewelry

Teen guys · Commercial wardrobe

Goal: approachable, current, bookable — the teen casting believes in a spot and in real life.

What works

• Solid crewnecks (cobalt, olive, rust)

• Classic medium-scale stripes (think navy/white)

• Henleys with a standard/high neckline

• Light layers: open denim shirt, soft plaid flannel over a plain tee

• T-shirts are absolutely okay — keep the collar fresh (not worn-out)

What to skip

• Deep V-necks / tanks

• Loud logos and graphics

• Overly fashion-forward styling that doesn’t match how he actually shows up

• Heavy layers that age him up

Example looks · Teen guys · Commercial

Cobalt crewneck — Bright, simple, and commercial-friendly.

Olive tee under light denim — Older-teen neutral with an easy All-American layer.

Navy-and-white stripe — Stripes for guys are a classic youthful commercial cue — keep the scale medium, not tiny.

White tee with an open soft plaid flannel — Very teen-TV wardrobe, without becoming costume. Bring the layer; we’ll often shoot with and without it.

Rust henley — Warm color, modest neckline, modern and clean.

Teen girls · Theatrical wardrobe

Goal: present, focused, calm, and kind — still clearly a teenager.

What works

• Medium to darker solids: burgundy, teal, forest, navy

• Charcoal / black for older teens (about 15+)

• Hair down, natural, styled nicely — not glam

• One layer first; a thin cardigan or light blazer only if it stays simple

What to skip

• Big commercial smiles paired with bright “ad” colors

• Heavy glam makeup

• Costume character clothes (unless your agent specifically asked for a type)

• Stacked heavy layers

Example looks · Teen girls · Theatrical

Burgundy crewneck — Rich, simple, one layer — a theatrical staple.

Teal with a thin charcoal cardigan — Soft depth without noise. Keep the outer layer light.

Charcoal crewneck — Appropriate for older teens when you want a quieter legit look.

Deep forest green crewneck — Medium-dark color that still feels alive on camera.

Navy crew with a light black blazer — Polished film/TV energy that still reads teen when the pieces stay simple and fitted (not oversized).

Teen guys · Theatrical wardrobe

Goal: eye connection and presence — not “brooding for the sake of it.”

What works

• Medium–dark solids: burgundy, charcoal, teal, navy, forest

• Soft closed-mouth / almost-smile that still feels kind

• One clean layer; optional thin second layer if it doesn’t weigh the frame down

• Grooming that matches his real weekly look

What to skip

• Forced villain stares on a young face

• Loud fashion layers that age him into adult territory

• Logos, chains, and distraction at the neckline

Example looks · Teen guys · Theatrical

Burgundy crewneck — Classic theatrical solid.

Charcoal crewneck — Strong older-teen legit option.

Teal under a soft navy cardigan — Quiet two-layer depth — still simple.

Navy crewneck — Versatile film/TV default.

Forest green under a soft charcoal flannel — Grounded teen-drama texture without costume energy.

How many outfits should your teen bring?

You don’t need a suitcase. You need a few looks that fit and photograph clean.

A strong teen session usually covers:

• 1–2 commercial looks (at least one bright/solid; optional light layer)

• 1–2 theatrical looks (medium–dark solid; optional thin layer)

• Optional character lean only if the agent asks (glasses for a specific commercial type, soft plaid for All-American, etc.)

If you bring a layer, we’ll often photograph with and without it — so one outfit can give you two usable directions.

Parent packing checklist

• 4–6 tops that follow the rules above (mix commercial + theatrical)

• At least one light layer (cardigan, light denim, soft flannel)

• Everything on hangers, steamed/ironed, lint-rolled

• A backup solid in case something doesn’t photograph

• Hair tools for a natural finish

• Jewelry: tiny studs only (or none)

Final encouragement

Your teen doesn’t need a fashion editorial. They need headshots that feel like them — current, age-honest, and clear about commercial vs theatrical.

Dress commercial brighter and friendlier.
Dress theatrical quieter and more present.
Keep necklines high, logos off, and layers light.

That’s how wardrobe supports the face… instead of competing with it.

Ready to book? Bring the looks above (or close cousins), and we’ll refine in studio so every outfit earns its place in the final selects.

— Eldeen Annette Headshots