When Thanksgiving rolls around, I always want to be comfortable. I struggle on the fine line of being cute, comfortable, and not in leggings or pajamas. And then there are those times when you get invited to new friends or family homes that maybe get more dressed up.
Or figuring out how to dress for the first time visiting the boyfriend’s family. Should you dress up more, or less? So many things to think about for this fun holiday meal when you just want to be comfortable!
Today I’m talking all about what to wear on Thanksgiving no matter which dress code you’re headed to, we’re covering it!
What To Wear On Thanksgiving
For The Casual Family Get Together Where You Want To Put In The Bare Minimum Effort
For a family dinner that’s fairly casual, I like to just feel a tad put together. I don’t want to go all out in uncomfortable clothes and tights, but I also don’t want to show up in sweats.
This is usually when I do my most comfortable jeans and a sweater. Or maybe a pair of trousers and cotton tee or long sleeve. Add some jewelry to feel a bit more elevated without fussing with constricting clothing.
Another good option is a comfortable dress. Just keep it all casual, nothing over the top since it’s only a casual family gathering. A good flowy dress is also ideal for those big meals!
For The Casual Family Get Together Where You Are Willing To Put In Some Effort.
Not Dressed Up, But Not Super Casual.
So this is your slightly stepped up version. I like to think this is choosing one adventure to go a bit nicer with. Maybe it’s a good shoe or boots or a nice blazer. But the rest of the outfit is still comfortable (think jeans and tee).
And if we’re doing a dress, we’re doing a comfortable one with a low heel. Nothing crazy! But instead of being super casual, and not super dressed up, this is the perfect in-between.
Fashion Forward, Dressed Up, But Not Too Crazy!
I feel like there’s always that in-between where you want to be cute and dressed up, but not too dressy. And you want to be fashion forward and not in your typical jeans and a sweater.
I find this is the area I tend to thrive in when it comes to putting an outfit together, but I just rarely reach for because it *feels* complicated. But it really isn’t. If you’ve been feeling blah about your holiday outfits, give one of these a try to make it feel more exciting without going over the top.
Reach for skirts, and dresses and pair with knee high boots. Maybe even try my new favorite, leather shorts with some tights and boots. These are looks I’d probably wear to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving.
Something more fun and festive, but not over the top. Even try some trousers with a leather jacket and low heels. Keep things comfortable still. All of these outfits above feel really good to be in.
Thanksgiving Dinner With The Boyfriend’s Family
When planning on what to wear to a boyfriend’s family Thanksgiving, I would definitely dress up just a tad. You want to make a nice impression on the family, too. Leave any revealing or overly sexy pieces at home. And let’s leave the leggings and sweats in the drawers too.
Try a nice dark jean with a pretty top and an oversized blazer with a heel. Or maybe a skirt and sweater. I think this type of outfit should be a bit nicer than if you were just hanging at home with your own family. But you don’t need to go super dressy, I think it just needs to be a little nicer!
For The Formal Thanksgiving Dinner Dress Code
I dread ever being invited to a formal Thanksgiving dinner because I want to be comfortable. But i think it’s totally doable to be dressed up and comfy for Thanksgiving. Try a pair of velvet trousers (super comfortable) with a nice sweater or top. This feels a bit formal, but will be really comfortable to sit in and eat all the food.
You can also try a nice velvet or silky dress which is another comfortable option that only looks fancy, but feels great. And if you want to really lean into something formal, try a sequined skirt, pant or dress. Either way, if you just add some velvet or sequined to your look, you should be dressed up enough.
For The Super Comfy Casual Thanksgiving Meal
This is the time for the sweatpants! But make them cute, obviously. Go with a cute matching lounge set that feels like elevated pajamas. You can also try a relaxed matching set like a wide-leg bottom with an oversized button down.
Or you can try a pair of leggings (cotton or even faux leather) with an oversized sweater and embrace the elastic waistband. That’s usually my go-to when I want to be super comfortable and don’t need to look great at all for Thanksgiving.
You can also still feel a bit put-together by adding in some jewelry or throwing on a cool sneaker, and having your hair and a little makeup done so you don’t feel like a total slob that rolled out of bed. These little touches really do finish your outfits off and make them feel more interesting even when they’re supr casual.
And if you want to feel a tad put-together, you can try a pair of jeans or faux leather pants (they feel like pajamas!) and do a graphic sweatshirt and sneakers. It feels more intentional than pajamas.
For a few more casual Thanksgiving outfit ideas, check out this post too!
Now you have dozens of outfit ideas to choose from for a Thanksgiving get together. From casual, to super polished, these are easy looks to recreate with what you already have in your own closet.
