How to dress for thanksgiving: 9 outfits to choose from!

Food, family, friends, and fashion. All your favorite things combined in one day.

Yes, it could only be Thanksgiving. It will be here before you know it.

Let’s discover plenty of ideas on how to dress for Thanksgiving.

How to dress for thanksgiving

Along with the decision about whether to eat in or out, the big question is how to choose what to wear for thanksgiving.

In this article I will show you how to dress for Thanksgiving and give you  9 thanksgiving outfits to choose from.

After all, if you’ve already sorted out the perfect Thanksgiving outfit, you can turn your attention to how you are going to cook your turkey. Or who is going to cook it for you.

How to choose a Thanksgiving outfit

As well as how your outfit looks, there are a number of considerations to take into account.

Think about comfort

You will want to make sure that your outfit not only looks good but is comfortable.

I’m sure you’ve joked about having to loosen your pants or move where your belt is fastened by a notch. If you are planning a big meal, you won’t want to wear anything that will be uncomfortable on your belly.

You also might want to sit on the floor and play a board game with family, for example, or you might want to go for a walk after lunch.

Karen (above) opts for beautiful waist-tie pants.

Recreate her look with this similar button-down shirt, pants, and shoes.

What will you be doing at Thanksgiving?

Does your family traditionally get together at home before heading out for a walk together, for example?

Or will you be going out to a fancy restaurant for a Thanksgiving dinner? What you wear will reflect the occasion.

Add some subtle glamour

Even if your Thanksgiving tends to be a fairly casual affair, you can always add a little bit of glamour with your accessories, or you could choose a silk shirt instead of cotton, for example, to add a feeling of luxe.

You will still be just as comfortable, but you will have given your style a little festive flair.

Cheryl (above) wears leopard print with jeans and a Gucci belt.

Check out this similar silk animal print blouse, cardigan, pants, and heels.

Think about color and texture

As it’s the festive season, you could opt to wear a bold red or choose a texture or material traditionally thought of as party wear, such as velvet or jacquard.

You can still wear jeans and a sweater for Thanksgiving

Of course, you can still be comfortable but you can up the style stakes by choosing red jeans and a cashmere sweater, for example, rather than your everyday blue denim and sweatshirt.

Kim (below) opts for an all-red outfit.

Get this similar sweater, pants, coat, and heels to copy her look.

Keep the weather in mind

Thanksgiving tends to be when the weather starts to change.

Make sure you take the weather into account, unless you’re planning on staying indoors all day in front of a cozy fire, of course.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year?

If you’re the hostess with the mostess, you may find you are rushing between kitchen and dining room.

So make sure your outfit is comfortable and allows you to move freely.

Outfits for all Thanksgiving scenarios

I’ve assumed that you’re either at home with family and friends or you’re heading out to a restaurant this Thanksgiving to put together this capsule, but you’ll find options here which should suit the occasion no matter what you are doing.

You can mix and match these outfits to take you from the most casual of family days to the most dressed up of occasions.

You can simply up the refinement levels by pairing a lace blouse with a midi skirt, for example, or you can dress it down a bit by wearing a velvet dress with a cardigan.

There are hundreds of combinations, but you’ll find 9 suggested outfits at the bottom of this article which feature the clothes and accessories used here in this Thanksgiving capsule.

Don’t forget to let me know what you are wearing this Thanksgiving in the comments at the bottom.

How to dress for Thanksgiving – tops

An easy way to stay stylish AND comfortable is to opt for a pretty blouse to wear with your jeans.

Then, you can either add flats or heels depending on whether you are planning to stay in or go out!

All of these outfits can be adapted for comfort. You could change your shoes to suit, depending on whether you’re heading out to a restaurant or cooking at home, going for a walk, or playing games with your children or grandkids.

Then, you can add or take away accessories to get the level of casual or formal that you want!

Look out for blouses with some texture like lace or in a beautiful, eye-catching color.

Boden silk shirt – Ted Baker London wrap top – Ann Klein mock neck top – Ann Klein lace blouse

Marina (above) wears a wrap top with her Gucci belt

Check out this similar silk wrap top, pants and booties.

What to wear for thanksgiving – sweaters

If you’re staying at home for Thanksgiving, then you definitely want to feel relaxed.

And what could be more relaxing than a cozy cardigan? To give your outfit some extra oomph, you could opt for jeans in a fall color like burgundy or olive, rather than your usual black or blue!

Halogen wrap cardigan – Halogen turtleneck sweater – Blank NYC cable knit sweater – Goldstitch off the shoulder sweater

Helen keeps her look neutral but adds interest with an on-trend print.

Steal her look with this similar sweater, midi skirt, and booties.

Jackets and coats to consider for Thanksgiving

What better time of year to wear velvet than for Thanksgiving? And with the festive season fast approaching, a velvet blazer could be a hardworking piece in your closet in the next few weeks.

Plus, with a hero piece like this, you can keep the rest of your outfit simple, and team it with a simple tee or blouse, and jeans or pants, that you already have in your closet.

You can also look out for more casual options if you like to spend your Thanksgiving heading out for a walk after lunch.

For more color inspiration for winter and fall check out this piece on the color trends for fall 2019.

Eliza J velvet blazer – French Connection shearling moto jacket – Barbour gilet – Blank NYC suede trench coat

Olivia adds a feeling of luxury with her metallic top.

Check out this similar metallic turtleneck sweater, coat, pants, and booties.

Jeans and pants

The most important part of Thanksgiving is the time we spend with loved ones.

So, it’s important to feel comfortable, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t also be stylish!

A pair of print pants provides an impact while still being comfortable to move around in, get the turkey out of the oven (if it’s your turn to cook) or go for a quick before or after dinner stroll!

Ted Baker London jacquard pants – Mavi Jeans ankle skinny jeans – Endless Rose wide leg pants –NYDJ straight leg jeans

Melinda wears a pretty blouse with pants and booties.

Get this similar high neck blouse, trousers and booties to recreate her look.

Dresses and skirts

A shift dress is an easy style to wear, whether you’re in or out for Thanksgiving.

If you’re rushing around after guests and taking turkey out of the oven, it’s easy to bend down in.

Plus, if you have too much to eat, you don’t have to worry about letting your belt out a notch, or having an overly tight waistband!

Whether you’ve burnt the turkey and are heading out for an impromptu meal, or you’ve been planning dinner out with your family for months, a flattering wrap dress could be the perfect answer when thinking about what to wear for Thanksgiving.

Karen Kane drape wrap dress – Sam Edelman asymmetrical wrap dress – Chelsea28 velvet wrap dress – Leith pleated maxi skirt

Regan wears a stylish, classic velvet wrap dress.

Check out this similar velvet dress and pumps.

Shoes and boots

When it comes to choosing shoes to wear with your Thanksgiving outfit, it will, of course, depend on the level of formality of the rest of your look, and your plans for the day.

You could opt for comfy ballet flats if you will be on your feet during the day, for block heels for a meal out, or boots if you are heading into the countryside.

Tory Burch ballet flat – Calvin Klein leopard pump – Pelle Moda slingback pump – Naturalizer riding boot

Carla opts for over-the-knee boots and a matching turtleneck.

Steal her look with this similar sweater, skirt, and thigh-high boots.

Accessories to complement your thanksgiving outfit

Again, your accessories will depend on how casual or formal you want to be. You may want to look for a warm hat or wrap if you will be outside for part of the day, or a stylish clutch bag to take you to dinner.

Either way, you can always add some contemporary jewelry to elevate your look.

Nordstrom glitter minaudiére – Tory Burch camera bag – Nordstrom wrap – Kate Spade panthera scarf – Gorjana lariat necklace – Madewell hoop earrings – Tasha stud beanie

9 fabulous outfits you can wear for Thanksgiving

There are so many different ways you could combine these pieces so they are suitable not just for Thanksgiving, but to take you through winter and fall.

Here are nine ideas to get you started.

Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.

Do you know how you will dress for Thanksgiving yet?

Continue reading:

1. Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Gift Ideas For Women Over 40
2. How To Dress For A Christmas Party: 11 Outfit Ideas!
3. Top Perfumes For Women This Winter: The Most Glamorous Scents For Your Christmas Parties

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Feature image by Olivia

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