How to Dress for Thanksgiving
Deciding how to dress for Thanksgiving can be chore, but it doesn’t have to be. Thanksgiving is synonymous with family, food, football and passing out on the couch after one-too-many slices of turkey, but there is no reason you can’t be stylish and fashionable even if you’re having a more low-key celebration. The following three looks are meant to give you examples of how to dress for the holiday with these three scenarios in mind, but they certainly work in many cases. Choose machine washable fabrics, fabrics with stretch, and easy pull-on pieces, like sweater dresses, to remain comfortable while seeming dressed up.
Dinner at a Friend’s House
You live in a new city or your family is too far away to visit, so your good friend invited you to a ‘Friendsgiving’. You don’t know anyone else who is going to be at the event so you want to look put together, but not like you tried too hard. This outfit is cool and comfortable, but not too casual. Burgundy and oxblood jeans are very on-trend for fall, just as comfortable as regular jeans, but the deep color makes them instantly more dressed up. Flat boots in a rich cognac brown really stand out against the darker jeans, with an easy pull-on style to balance the lower body. A long sleeved tee with a graphic print gives you the stretch and comfort of cotton, but the print gives the allusion of a blouse. Like the t-shirt and jeans, the tweed military-inspired jacket is machine washable, in case of any accidents at the dinner table. The jacket has enough structure to give the outfit a more pulled-together look. Finally, a bold metallic bracelet and pop of color in a cross-body bag complete the look.
Meeting the Parents
This is the first holiday meeting your boyfriend’s or fiancé’s family. You want to make a good impression but you don’t want to be uncomfortable all day in a frilly dress or sky-high heels. An easy pull-on dress with built-in structure is your best friend. Dresses, no matter the material, almost always appear more put together and dressed up than jeans. This dress features a waist-defining panel, and vertical cable-knitting that elongates the body. The dress length is long enough to be fairly conservative and the full-length sleeves ensure you aren’t showing too much skin. Pairing this dress with patterned black tights is a great way to keep warm, cover your legs and still add some spunk to the outfit. A wedge boot is always a good choice, as they provide more comfort and stability than heels without being boring, flat, riding boots. A sparkly necklace draws attention to the face and jazzes up the fairly simple dress. To make a good entrance, this outfit is complete with a lady-like coat swing coat and rich jewel-toned handbag.
Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner
You decided to host Thanksgiving dinner, s your outfit and attitude will set the tone for the day. You want to be comfortable, but as the host, want to look elegant and confident. Choose a skirt that is stretchy, not restrictive, and has some movement. I chose a bold, saturated color that feels very fall and holiday. A patterned blouse with some shine pairs very well with the skirt. The blouse gives dimension to the look with metallic elements that always give a holiday vibe. Pointed toe flats elongate the leg but are comfortable to entertain your guests and stand in the kitchen all day. Tights with a seam in the back are a modern throwback to mid-century and go well with the midi-length skirt. This printed apron blends well with the other colors in the look while protecting your clothes during your last-minute kitchen runs. Right before dinner, you grab your cocktail ring that mimics the gold in the blouse and shoes that completes the look. Should you decide to leave the house after dinner to look at Christmas lights or partake in some other family festivities, you can pair this look with a lacey topcoat.