What to Wear for a Professional Application Photo in Munich – Outfit & Styling Tips

Your appointment is booked, your CV is nearly done – and then you open your wardrobe and suddenly have “nothing to wear”. You’re in good company: what to wear is the question we hear most before a shoot. The good news is that you don’t need a new suit or a personal stylist. You need a handful of clear rules, and here they are.

If you’re new to the German job market: a photo on your CV (the Bewerbungsfoto) is still very common here, so it’s worth getting right. This guide covers what to wear for an application photo in Germany: which clothes, colours and details work on camera, what suits your industry and how to prepare. Packages and prices are on our application photos in Munich page.

What should I wear for an application photo?

The rule of thumb is simpler than most people expect: wear what you would wear to an important meeting in the job you want, then go half a step smarter. Not three steps. If you never wear a tie, a tie rarely makes you look confident – it makes you look like a guest at your cousin’s wedding.

An application photo usually shows you from the chest up, so collar, neckline and shoulders do the heavy lifting. Nobody will see your trousers, but we still recommend a complete outfit. People who feel fully dressed stand differently, and that shows in your face.

• Fit beats price: a well-fitting €40 shirt wins against an expensive jacket that pulls at the shoulders.
• Ironed and lint-free: studio lighting is honest. Very honest.
• Calm, not loud: your face should be the centre of attention, not your top.
• Comfort: if you keep tugging at your collar, it will show in the pictures.

What to wear by industry: the right application photo outfit for your job

Recruiters want to see someone they can picture on their team. So let your outfit take its cue from the industry – not as a costume, but as a signal that you know where you’re applying.

Which colours work on camera?

Muted, rich tones are the safe bet: navy, grey, charcoal, burgundy or a dark green. They make skin look fresh and don’t distract. Light shirts and blouses work very well under a jacket or blazer because the contrast gives the image structure.

• Pure white without a jacket can look flat under studio light – cream, light blue or a soft grey are often the better choice.
• All black can look harsh and swallows detail. Paired with a lighter top, it’s no problem.
• Neon colours reflect onto your chin and neck. Even the best retouching struggles with that.
• Colours close to your skin tone wash you out – a bit of contrast flatters almost everyone.

You don’t need to worry about the background. We adjust its colour and brightness so it suits you and your outfit.

What to avoid

• Small checks, fine stripes and busy patterns: they can shimmer on screens and pull attention away from your face.
• Logos and slogans: you’re promoting yourself, not the brand on your chest.
• High collars and scarves: your chin and neck should stay visible.
• Very low necklines or strappy tops: in a tight crop it can look as if you’re not wearing anything.
• Brand-new clothes you’ve never worn: if something pinches or sits oddly, it shows.
• Statement jewellery: large earrings and shiny necklaces catch the light and distract.

Jacket, shirt, blouse – what is still necessary in 2026?

In short: the tie has become optional, the jacket is still your wild card. A jacket or blazer gives your shoulders structure, frames your face and looks professional even over a plain T-shirt. If you only bring one piece that almost always works, make it this one.

A shirt or blouse is still standard in conservative industries. In many others, a good plain top or a fine-knit jumper is perfectly accepted. The only real requirement for your application photo outfit: it has to look well kept and suit the role you’re applying for.

Hair, make-up, glasses and jewellery

• Hair: away from your face so forehead and eyes are visible. Ideally, see your hairdresser a few days before the shoot – a fresh cut often needs a moment to settle.
• Make-up: natural and matte. Shine on the forehead and nose is the classic issue, and that goes for men too. If needed, we have powder in the studio.
• Glasses: ideally with anti-reflective lenses, freshly cleaned. If you only wear them occasionally, you can leave them off for the photo.
• Beard: freshly trimmed with clean lines. Three-day stubble is fine, five days of “forgot to shave” less so.
• Jewellery: keep it subtle. Small studs or a fine chain are perfectly fine.

Bringing several outfits to the shoot

How many outfits we photograph depends on your package: Package 1 (20 minutes) is designed for one outfit, Package 2 (40 minutes) for two and Package 3 (60 minutes) for three. That’s especially useful if you’re applying in different industries or want a LinkedIn picture alongside your application photo. All package details are on the application photos page.

Application photo vs. LinkedIn or business headshot

An application photo is tailored to one goal: a specific role and industry, usually in a classic portrait format for your CV. A LinkedIn or business photo can be a little more relaxed, often works as a tighter headshot and has to stay recognisable even as a small round profile picture.

Many people use one image for both, which works well as long as outfit and expression aren’t too formal. If you need pictures for a website, a team page or your own business, have a look at our business photos.

How to prepare: the evening before and the day of the shoot

How your application photo shoot at PM STUDIOS works

From the first hello to the finished image, it’s six manageable steps. The nice part: you see your photos on the monitor straight after they’re taken, and you have a say in the choice.

Application photos start at €39, with 20, 40 or 60 minutes of shooting time. Subtle, natural retouching is always included – no plastic skin; you should still recognise yourself. You’ll find us at Westendstraße 177 in Munich’s Westend (directions and location), a few minutes’ walk from the Westendstraße underground station (U4/U5). Why a professional photo is worth it in the first place is covered here: why a professional application photo matters today.

FAQ: application photo outfits

Do I have to wear a jacket or blazer?

No. It’s still recommended in conservative fields such as finance, law or consulting; in many others a neat shirt, blouse or fine-knit jumper is enough. A jacket is almost always a good option, though, because it gives your shoulders structure.

What is the best colour for an application photo?

Muted colours such as navy, grey, charcoal or burgundy suit almost every skin tone. Avoid neon colours, very small patterns and large logos.

What if I’m applying in different industries?

Then two outfits are worth it: one classic, one a little more relaxed. With us that’s possible with Package 2 or Package 3, which are designed for two and three outfits respectively.

Glasses on or off?

If you wear glasses every day, they’re part of you – ideally with anti-reflective lenses. If you only wear them now and then, a photo without them is usually the easier option.

Are the photos retouched?

Yes. Subtle, natural retouching of skin, neckline, background and brightness is included in every package.

Do I even need a photo on my CV in Germany?

It isn’t mandatory, but it is still very common, and many recruiters appreciate the personal impression. If you include one, make it a good one. Germany’s Federal Employment Agency says much the same in its guide to writing a CV for job applications in Germany: a photo is not mandatory, but most employers still expect one, and it should look professional.