Christmas Family Photo Outfits for Girls: What Looks Good on Camera

The best Christmas family photo outfits for girls are simple dresses in one strong color, either a classic red or green plaid, or a soft winter white. Pick her dress first, then build everyone else's clothes around it, because the smallest person in the picture is the one people look at.

Holiday photo sessions get booked early, often in October and November, so here is what we tell moms and grandmothers who ask us how to dress a girl for one.

Start with her dress, then dress the family around it

Most family photo outfits go wrong the other way around. Dad picks a sweater, Mom finds a top she likes, and the little one gets whatever still fits. Then nothing ties together.

Flip it. Choose her dress, pull two colors out of it, and use only those two colors (plus a neutral like cream, gray or denim) for everyone else. If she wears red plaid, Dad can wear a solid green or navy sweater and Mom can wear cream. Nobody has to match. They just have to belong in the same picture.

One small test that saves a lot of regret: lay all the outfits on the bed together and take a phone photo. If one piece jumps out, swap it.

Three Christmas family photo outfits for girls that work on camera

Classic red or green: the traditional Christmas card

If the photo is going on a card that grandparents will stick on the fridge, red is hard to beat. Our Christmas puff sleeve dress for girls comes in Red Plaid, Red Candy Cane, Green Candy Cane, Red Star and Green Star, in sizes from 0-3 months all the way up to 13-14 years. It is $60.

That size range is the reason it works for families. A baby, a five-year-old and a twelve-year-old can all wear the same dress, so sisters look like a set without anyone being squeezed into a print made for a toddler. Plaid reads clearly from across a room. Candy cane and star prints look sweeter up close, which suits a baby on a lap.

Winter white: soft, snowy and a little dressy

White looks lovely against a dark green tree, a red brick wall or snow. The white tulle flower girl dress ($60) is sized by height, from 80cm to 140cm. Measure her standing against a wall in socks and pick the size at or just above her height. If she is between sizes, go up; a little extra length looks fine in a photo, but a hem above the knee on a twirl does not.

White does need care on the day. Put her in the dress last, right before you walk out the door, and keep a dark cardigan over it in the car. Hot cocoa comes after the session, never before.

If you like this look, our full collection of white dresses for girls has more styles to look through.

Pink sparkle: for the holiday party shot

Not every family wants red and green. If your photos are taken at a holiday party or in a room full of string lights, sequins catch that light in a way plain fabric cannot. The sparkly pink sequin tulle dress ($80) comes in 12-18 months through 5-6 years, plus sizes 8, 10 and 12. Pair it with family outfits in cream, blush or gray, and skip the plaid elsewhere so the sparkle has the stage.

For little ones, keep an eye on her while she wears sequins, since small hands love to pick at them.

Sizing for a photo session (not just for fit)

A dress that fits for daily wear and a dress that fits for photos are slightly different things. A few things to check:

• Sleeves: puff sleeves should sit on her shoulder, not slide down. If they slip, the dress is too big through the top.
• Length when sitting: photographers often seat kids on a parent's lap or on steps. Have her sit on the floor in the dress at home and see where the hem lands.
• Babies: go by her current size and weight, not her age. A five-month-old in the 6-9 months size usually looks better in photos than one in a tight 3-6 months, because the dress lies flat instead of riding up.
• Growth spurts: if the session is more than six weeks away and she is between sizes, order the larger one.

Our guide to matching sister Christmas outfits goes deeper on dressing two or three girls of different ages so they look like a set.

Keeping her warm for outdoor pictures

Outdoor Christmas photos are beautiful and also cold. A girl who is shivering does not smile, no matter how many silly noises the photographer makes.

• Fleece-lined tights in white, cream or a color pulled from her dress. Nobody notices tights in a photo, but everyone notices goosebumps.
• A cardigan or coat she wears between shots and takes off for the last thirty seconds. A neutral cardigan can also stay on for a few relaxed shots.
• A thin long-sleeve layer under a short-sleeve dress, in a color close to her skin tone or to the dress.
• Warm boots in the car, dress shoes for the photos. Ballet flats or Mary Janes look tidy and do not compete with the dress.

A small trick that helps: tuck a hand warmer in each coat pocket and let her hold them between poses.

Small details that make the photos

Hair and shoes are where photos get noisy. Choose one hair accessory, a bow or a headband, in a color already in the dress. Clean shoes in a plain color. Skip big logos and cartoon characters on anyone in the picture, because they pull the eye away from faces.

And book the session for the time of day she is usually happiest. For most toddlers that is mid-morning, after breakfast and before nap.

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