What to Wear for a Passport Photo: Colors, Clothing Rules & Dress Code Tips
Reviewed: 2026-05-13
Wear a dark, solid-colored shirt — navy blue, charcoal, or burgundy work best. Avoid white clothing (it blends into the background), uniforms, camouflage, hats, and glasses. The U.S. Department of State requires an unobstructed face with no eyeglasses and no head coverings except for religious or medical reasons.
Your passport photo clothing matters more than you think. The wrong shirt color, a pair of glasses, or a hat you forgot to remove can get your passport application returned — adding weeks to your timeline. According to the U.S. Department of State, non-compliant photos are among the top reasons passport applications are delayed, and clothing-related issues are among the most preventable.
This guide covers the official passport photo clothing requirements, the best colors to wear, what to avoid, and specific rules for jewelry, head coverings, glasses, and makeup — for both women and men.
Official Passport Photo Clothing Requirements
The U.S. Department of State does not have a formal dress code for passport photos, but there are clear rules about what you cannot wear:
No uniforms or camouflage attire. Military uniforms, airline crew uniforms, police uniforms, sports jerseys, and any camouflage-pattern clothing are not permitted. If your job requires a uniform, change before taking the photo.
No head coverings unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Hats, beanies, headbands worn as fashion accessories, and hoods are not allowed.
No eyeglasses. Glasses have been banned in U.S. passport photos since November 2016 — including prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses. The only exception requires a signed doctor's statement explaining why glasses cannot be removed for medical purposes.
Beyond these rules, you can wear your everyday clothes. But "allowed" and "ideal" are different things. The right clothing choice can mean the difference between a photo that gets approved on the first try and one that gets flagged for review.
What to Wear for a Passport Photo to Avoid Rejection
The goal is simple: wear something that creates clean contrast against the white or off-white background, doesn't distract from your face, and won't be mistaken for restricted clothing by automated photo compliance checks.
Which Colors Are Best for Passport Photos?
Dark, solid colors photograph best against a white background. The best options are:
Navy blue — the single best color for passport photos. It creates strong contrast, photographs cleanly, and flatters most skin tones.
Dark green or forest green — another excellent earth tone that works well.
Burgundy or wine red — strong contrast without being too bold.
Charcoal grey — professional and clean, but make sure it's dark enough to contrast with the background.
Black — works well, though very dark clothing can sometimes create a floating-head effect if the contrast is extreme.
Which Colors Should You Avoid?
White or off-white — the number one clothing mistake. A white shirt blends into the white background, making it look like your head is floating with no visible shoulders. Automated photo compliance checks may flag this.
Very light pastels — light pink, light blue, pale yellow — can wash out against the white background, especially in photos taken with flash.
Neon or very bright colors — can reflect color onto your face and neck, creating an unnatural skin tone in the photo.
Busy patterns, stripes, or logos — distracting and can interfere with the photo's clean look. Avoid Hawaiian shirts, loud florals, and clothing with large visible logos or text.
Passport Photo Clothing: What Is Allowed and What Should You Pay Attention To?
Can I Wear a White Shirt in My Passport Photo?
Technically yes — there is no rule against white shirts. But it's a bad idea. The white background means your shirt disappears, making you appear to have no shoulders or neck. Choose a darker color instead. This applies to white blouses, white t-shirts, and white dress shirts equally.
Can I Wear a Hoodie in a Passport Photo?
A hoodie is allowed as long as the hood is down and not visible around your head or neck. If the hood creates a silhouette that looks like a head covering, it could be flagged. Your best option: remove the hoodie entirely and wear something with a clean neckline.
Can I Wear a Tank Top in My Passport Photo?
A tank top is technically allowed, but since the passport photo crops from the top of your head to just below your shoulders, thin straps may not be visible — making you appear to not be wearing a shirt at all. A top with wider straps or sleeves is a better choice.
Do You Have to Wear a Collared Shirt for Passport Pictures?
No. There is no requirement for a collar, a button-down, or formal attire. A simple crew-neck t-shirt or blouse in a dark solid color works perfectly. You do not need a tie, a polo shirt, a blazer, or any kind of formal wear.
Can I Wear a Uniform or Camouflage in My Passport Photo?
No. Uniforms and camouflage attire are explicitly prohibited by the U.S. Department of State. This includes military, law enforcement, airline, medical scrubs, and any clothing with a camouflage pattern.
Can I Wear Jewelry?
Yes. Jewelry is allowed in passport photos with some common-sense guidelines:
Earrings — small studs and hoops are fine. Avoid large dangling earrings that cast shadows on your face or neck.
Necklaces — allowed as long as they don't cover your neck or chin area.
Facial piercings — nose piercings, lip piercings, and eyebrow piercings are allowed if they're part of your everyday appearance. Don't remove them just for the photo — you want your passport to match how you actually look.
Can I Wear a Head Covering in a Passport Photo?
Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons:
Religious headgear — a hijab, turban, yarmulke, kippah, or other head covering worn daily for religious purposes is allowed. Your full face from chin to forehead must remain visible, and the covering must not cast shadows on your face.
Medical head coverings — you may need to submit a signed statement explaining the medical reason.
Everything else is not allowed — hats, beanies, baseball caps, decorative headbands, bows, ribbons, bandanas, and hoods must be removed.
Can I Wear Eyeglasses in My Passport Photo?
No. Since November 2016, the U.S. Department of State does not allow eyeglasses in passport photos. This applies to prescription glasses, reading glasses, transition lenses, tinted glasses, and even clear frameless glasses. The only exception requires a signed doctor's statement — and exceptions are rare.
Remove your glasses before taking the photo. Modern border systems account for glasses being present or absent, so the mismatch won't cause issues at immigration.
Is Makeup OK on a Passport Photo?
Yes. Everyday makeup is fine. The guideline is that makeup should not significantly alter your facial features:
Allowed: Foundation, concealer, light blush, mascara, eyebrow filler, light eye shadow, lip color in natural tones.
Not recommended: Heavy contouring that changes your face shape, dramatic smoky eye, false eyelashes that significantly alter your eye appearance, theatrical or costume makeup.
The test: would a border officer recognize you from your photo? If your makeup look dramatically changes how your face looks, tone it down.
Style Advice for Women: How to Shine in Your Passport Photo
Wear a dark solid-color top with a scoop neck or v-neck — this frames your face well in the tight crop.
Navy blue, dark green, and burgundy are the most flattering colors for most skin tones against a white background.
Avoid turtlenecks — they can make your neck look shorter in the cropped photo.
Keep hair neat. Make sure it doesn't cover your face. Both ears don't need to show (except for Indian passport photos where both ears must be visible).
Light, everyday makeup is perfectly fine. Just avoid heavy contour or dramatic eye makeup.
Style Advice for Men: Your Perfect Look for the Passport Photo
A dark polo shirt or crew-neck t-shirt works perfectly. No need for a tie, collar, or formal wear.
Navy blue and charcoal are the safest color choices.
If you have a beard or facial hair, keep it as it normally looks. Don't shave your beard off just for the passport photo — you want your passport to match your everyday appearance.
If you normally wear glasses, remove them for the photo (banned since 2016).
Passport Photo FAQs
What color shirt is best for a passport photo? Navy blue is the best choice. It creates strong contrast against the white background and flatters most skin tones. Avoid white — it blends into the background.
Can I smile in a passport photo? A slight, closed-mouth smile is acceptable for U.S. passports. Keep it natural with your mouth closed and both eyes open. A neutral expression is the safest choice.
Is there a dress code for passport photos? There is no formal dress code. You can wear your everyday clothes. The only restrictions are: no uniforms, no camouflage, no head coverings (except religious or medical), and no eyeglasses.
What should you not wear in a passport photo? Avoid white shirts, uniforms, camouflage, head coverings, eyeglasses, and busy patterns or logos. Choose a simple, dark, solid-colored top instead.
Where can I get passport photos taken? CVS, Walgreens, UPS Store, Walmart, and Staples all offer passport photo services ranging from $7-17. You can also take a compliant photo at home for free using ExactPix.
How much do passport photos cost? CVS: $16.99. Walgreens: $16.99. UPS Store: varies. Walmart: $7.44. USPS: $15. ExactPix: Free (browser-based, no upload).