MADISON LARSEN
Engagement Outfit Guide
ELEVATED. TIMELESS. EFFORTLESSLY YOU.
THE MADISON LARSEN STYLE
CLASSIC and EDITORIAL
Your engagement photos should feel like you on your very best day - beautiful, confident, and completely in love. When it comes to choosing outfits, I love a look that feels elevated, timeless, and effortlessly chic. Think old-money vibes, thoughtful layers, and classic silhouettes.
I recommend you bring 2 looks:
Outfit #1: The Elevated Look
This is your date-night, editorial, dressed-up outfit.
For her:
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A flowing midi or maxi dress
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Silk or satin slip dress
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Elegant skirt with a fitted sweater
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Tailored trousers with a beautiful blouse
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Structured blazer
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Heels, ballet flats, or elegant boots
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Minimal, classic jewelry
For him:
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Tailored trousers
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Button-down shirt
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Sweater or fine knit
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Sport coat or blazer
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Loafers or polished leather shoes
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Belt that coordinates with the shoes
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Optional tie for a particularly formal look
The goal: You look like you just stepped out for an incredible dinner together.
Outfit #2: Effortlessly Chic Look
This second look is about looking more relaxed
while still looking elevated and chic
For Her:
Straight-leg denim + cashmere sweater + loafers
White jeans + silk blouse + ballet flats
Flowy skirt + fitted knit + boots
For Him:
Dark denim or chinos + button-down + suede loafers
Tailored trousers + knit polo + loafers
Dark denim + Oxford shirt + cardigan
The key is polished casual, not everyday casual.
Color Palette Ideas
These tones tend to photograph really nice, keep the focus on YOU, and work well in all types of location settings.
Neutrals:
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Ivory
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Cream
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Oatmeal
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Beige
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Camel
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Taupe
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Chocolate brown
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Charcoal
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Black
Soft, Muted Colors:
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Powder blue
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Sage
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Muted olive
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Dusty rose
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Soft butter yellow
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Muted burgundy
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Navy
What about white?
I love white and ivory for engagement sessions. I fully believe in your bridal era, you should wear all of the white-tones every chance you can get!
A beautiful ivory dress paired with a navy or tan suit can feel incredibly timeless.
Just avoid having both people wear stark white. Cream, ivory, oatmeal, and soft beige usually create a more sophisticated palette.
Coordinate - Don't Match
Please don't feel like you need to wear the same colors. Instead, think about creating a color story.
For example:
Her: Ivory silk dress + camel shoes
Him: Navy trousers + cream sweater + brown loafers
or
Her: Black dress + gold jewelry
Him: Charcoal trousers + ivory shirt + black loafers
The outfits should look like they belong together without looking like they were purchased as a set.
Details Matter
Accessories, texture, movement and layers can take an outfit from being pretty, to editorial.
Her Accessories:
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A classic watch
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Simple gold or pearl earrings
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Delicate layered necklaces
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A silk scarf
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Leather belt
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Loafers
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Ballet flats
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Knee-high boots
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Structured handbag
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Classic sunglasses
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A beautiful coat
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A simple hair ribbon
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Minimal, timeless jewelry
His Accessories:
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Tailored trousers
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A tucked-in Oxford shirt
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Knit polo
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Fine-gauge sweater
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Linen button-down
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Sport coat
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Loafers
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Suede shoes
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Leather belt
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Classic watch
And please iron or steam your clothes before your session. Wrinkles photograph surprisingly well—and not in a good way.
Play with Texture, Volume, Movement, and Layers
Consider Your Location & Season
Mountains
Mountain sessions are beautiful with clothing that feels soft, tactile, layered, romantic, and even a little western.
Garden Estate
Gardens and historic estates are the perfect setting for your most romantic, feminine, and classic outfits. This is where I love beautiful dresses, elegant tailoring, and subtle vintage influence - think "old money".
Downtown/Architectural
Urban locations give you permission to be a little more fashion-forward.
This is where I love tailoring, structure, monochromatic outfits, and sophisticated silhouettes.
Lake/Beach
Beach sessions don't need to mean beachy clothing.
In fact, I love when couples avoid obvious nautical colors and instead choose something that feels relaxed, elegant, and slightly undone.
