Military Homecoming Outfit Guide
There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to a military homecoming and one of the most stressful decisions to make can be deciding what to wear! But don't stress, I got you.
Here are my tips for deciding what to wear on homecoming day:
- Wear what makes you feel gorgeous. When your loved one arrives, they are going to be so beat chances are, they won't even notice what you're wearing; they'll just be so stoked to see you. Dress for yourself. For my husband's third homecoming, I had worked out a ton and wanted to show off my "deployment body," so I wore this tight dress and comfy heels. I felt amazing. He didn't see what I was wearing at all, nor did he care, because all he cared about was seeing me.
- Wear an outfit that you can wait around in for a few hours. Homecomings get extended all the time. The armory could take a while, a bus could break down, or a flight could be delayed. We may be waiting in the hangar, parking lot, or on the parade deck for a few hours. Will you be comfortable in your sexiest heels and strappy mini dress? If so, go for it! If not, there is no shame in bringing "waiting shoes" that you can throw in a purse (or give to me!) when your loved one finally arrives. Along those same lines, if your dress is strapless or sleeveless, wear sunscreen and pack layers!
- Dress for how you think you'll greet your loved one. Some people, when they see their loved ones, are jumpers. Some people are runners. (I was a runner, a lesson I learned the hard way after my husband's second homecoming when I wore a straight maxi dress and flip flops and awkwardly shuffle-ran to him. Oops.) Dress for the type of greeting you give. If you're a jumper and wearing a dress, wear bike shorts, leggings or stretchy jeans. If you're a runner, wear shoes that will stay on your feet (learn from my mistake!) while you run.
- Wear colors that coordinate with your backdrop/servicemember's uniform. Typically, we'll be somewhere with a lot of grey or muted colors; in this instance, jewel tones and neutrals will photograph best. Think, also, about coordinating with your loved one's uniform. Will they be wearing desert or woodland camo, a flightsuit, a service or dress uniform? If they're wearing cammies, stay away from busy prints or anything with logos; stick to solids, if you can! All cammies look great with jewel tones but specifically, desert cammies look great with muted/dusty versions of blue, pink or purple, shades of pink (I love coral with desert cammies), while woodland cammies photograph well with beige, shades of pink and blue, and mustard yellow. If your loved one is wearing Navy Whites, you're in luck: stick to solids or muted/prints, but go crazy with color. I love bright colors to offset the whites at a Navy homecoming: bright red and blue, are two of my favorite go-tos! If you're unsure how to coordinate colors, review my photoshoot outfit guide for color palettes!
- Parents: Pack a change of clothes for your little ones. We know that accidents can happen at the most inopportune times. Have back-up outfits with lots of layers just in case!
Still unsure what to wear? Contact me! I'm happy to walk you through what is bound to be an awesome day. Check out my favorite homecoming outfits below!
