3 Tips for Effortless Family Styling
If we were giving out awards to families who absolutely nailed the “coordinated but not matching” idea, we would have to but the Cochrans on the podium! Styling eleven family members is no small feat, but they pulled it off in a way that appears effortless. The best part? Every individual is able to express their unique personality while still harmonizing with the full family.
We photographed the Cochran family at their lakefront home, where everyone was able to relax in familiar surroundings. | pc: StudioBportraits.com
Top 3 Tips for Effortless Family Styling
01. Mamas — start with your own outfit. I know, I know…this feels counterintuitive. Your instinct is to put your family ahead of yourself, but we truly believe that starting with your own styling will offer you guidance as you coordinate everyone else’s wardrobe. Let’s face it…you are going to think your babies (even the grown up ones;) look amazing no matter what they wear, so you may as well start by making sure you feel incredible too!
02. Choose a color palette. A common mistake is to choose a single color for your wardrobe. We have found that the best coordination comes when you have an entire palette to use as inspiration for your family’s outfits: 1 neutral, 1 primary color, and 1-2 complementary tones. We love how the Cochrans chose khaki/brown as their neutral, blue as their primary, and orange + pink as their complementary tones.
Pro Tip: Pinterest is an excellent search engine for color palette inspiration!
03. Choose confidence. We LOVE when people play dress up and wear bold things that they have been saving for a special occasion, but remember that if people feel uncomfortable in what they are wearing, that will often translate in their expressions on camera. If your aesthetic is formal but your elementary-age son hates his suit, consider letting him choose fun socks or swapping a tie for an open collar. If your inspiration is city chic but one your daughters feels wobbly in heels, empower her to wear a strappy sandal that still fits the vibe.
