What to Wear for Your Christmas Mini Session
A Little Guide to Dressing for Christmas Magic
✨ Six beautiful colour schemes for your Christmas mini session ✨
Choosing what everyone will wear can feel like the biggest part of preparing for family photographs. It does not need to be. The loveliest outfits are rarely the ones where everyone matches perfectly; they are the ones that feel connected, comfortable and true to your family.
I have gathered six colour stories to make planning your Christmas mini session a little easier. Each one has its own mood, from soft and natural to rich and nostalgic, but they all photograph beautifully and leave plenty of room for your family to feel like themselves.
Before you begin
Choose a feeling first. Decide whether you are drawn to something quiet, traditional, playful or softly glamorous. The colours will follow much more easily.
Coordinate rather than match. Choose three or four colours and repeat them gently across the family. One person might wear a deeper tone while another carries it in a bow, knit or small detail.
Let texture do some of the work. Linen, velvet, lace, knits, corduroy and soft cotton add warmth and depth without making an outfit feel busy.
Keep comfort close. Clothes that allow children to move, cuddle and play will always lead to more natural photographs. Try everything on beforehand, including shoes and accessories.
1 Organic and Quiet Christmas
The palette Cream beige linen olive taupe warm brown
This is Christmas styling at its softest. Organic and Quiet Christmas is calm, warm and beautifully understated, with natural shades that let expressions and connection take centre stage. It is especially lovely if you prefer photographs that will still feel effortless on your walls long after the decorations are packed away.
Begin with a flowing cream or linen dress for Mum, then build around it with an olive or taupe shirt, warm brown trousers or a soft neutral knit. For children, a muted green floral dress, cream shirt with brown shorts, or a simple beige romper keeps the look gentle and cohesive. The secret is to mix close-but-not-identical neutrals so the family feels layered rather than flat.
2 Heirloom Burgundy
The palette Burgundy velvet ivory cream chocolate brown
Rich without being loud, Heirloom Burgundy has the feeling of an old Christmas book: warm candlelight, velvet ribbon and photographs you might one day pass down. Burgundy brings depth to the frame, while ivory and cream keep the overall look light and flattering.
Let one beautiful burgundy piece lead the story, such as a velvet dress, knit vest or ribbon. Pair it with an ivory lace dress, a cream shirt, chocolate-brown tailoring or corduroy trousers. A baby romper in cream with one tiny burgundy detail is more than enough. Avoid putting everyone in the deepest shade; a little burgundy goes a long way when it is surrounded by warm neutrals.
3 Evergreen and Champagne
The palette Deep olive forest green champagne cream brown tweed
Evergreen and Champagne feels unmistakably festive, but still elegant and soft. Deep green brings the Christmas mood, champagne adds a gentle glow, and brown tweed grounds everything with a touch of warmth. It is a wonderful choice for families who love traditional colour but prefer a more refined finish than bright red and green.
A deep green flowing dress or forest knit can be your anchor. Add a champagne lace dress, cream shirts, tan trousers and a brown or tweed jacket. Olive corduroy works beautifully for children, while a cream baby romper keeps the smallest member of the family light and sweet. Repeating green in only two or three places is enough to tie the whole family together.
4 Christmas Pyjamas
The palette Tartan red forest green cream
For families who want their photographs to feel playful, relaxed and full of personality, Christmas pyjamas are always a lovely option. This scheme is less about polished formality and more about the happy, cosy feeling of Christmas morning together.
Choose one tartan or plaid that brings together red, green and cream, then keep the pattern consistent across the family. Coordinated sets work beautifully, but they do not need to be identical: a nightdress for one child, a two-piece set for another and a soft romper for baby can all belong to the same story. Bare feet, simple hair and minimal accessories keep the look natural rather than overly themed.
5 Champagne Sparkle
The palette Champagne warm ivory soft gold camel gentle neutrals
Champagne Sparkle is for those who want a little magic without anything feeling too shiny or formal. The palette catches the light beautifully, with soft gold and champagne tones balanced by warm ivory, camel and natural textures. It feels festive, airy and perfectly suited to an Australian summer Christmas.
Start with one special champagne or gold-toned dress, then keep the rest of the family soft and simple. Mum might wear a flowing ivory or neutral dress; Dad can choose a cream or linen shirt with camel trousers. For older boys, warm beige, soft brown or lightly textured shirts work beautifully, while baby can wear an ivory romper. Let the sparkle belong to one hero piece and echo it only in tiny details, so the result feels luminous rather than busy.
A little extra for this look. If Champagne Sparkle feels like your family's style, Ellie Ellie has some beautiful pieces that sit naturally within this palette. The Fitzroys clients can enjoy 20% off Ellie Ellie orders over $80 with the code FITZ20. Follow the exclusive offer here
6 Vintage Storybook
The palette Brown floral cream dusty rose mauve olive tan
Vintage Storybook is romantic, nostalgic and a little whimsical. Its soft florals and faded colours feel collected over time, giving your photographs a gentle, old-world charm without turning them into costume.
A brown floral or dusty-rose dress makes a beautiful starting point. From there, add cream knits, muted olive, tan corduroy and soft mauve details. A knit polo, cardigan or textured sweater adds character for boys and Dad, while a simple neutral romper keeps baby connected to the palette. Choose small-scale prints and let only one or two people wear pattern so the finished image still feels peaceful.
The best choice is the one that feels like you
These colour schemes are here to guide you, not to give you another set of rules. You can borrow a whole palette or simply take one idea from it. Start with a piece you already love, choose colours that sit gently beside it, and leave a little space for movement, cuddles and all the beautifully imperfect moments in between.
Your Christmas mini session is about the people in the photograph, not the clothes. The outfits simply help hold the story together. Choose what makes your family feel comfortable and connected, and we will create the magic from there.
Warmly,
Aga
