13 Thanksgiving Outfits That Are Cute and Comfortable, and Leave Room for Pumpkin Pie (2024)

Thanksgiving can be a fraught holiday or one filled with a lot of joy, depending on your family dynamics. Maybe it's both! Regardless, there's pumpkin pie—and the need for Thanksgiving outfits that do more than Joey Tribbiani's stretchy pants.

“Even the most perfect families have some type of dysfunction,” says fashion psychologist Dr. Dawnn Karen. “Just imagining Thanksgiving dinner, you might start thinking about the past and getting overwhelmed and throw on whatever. Some of my clients and students wear a solid color like all black because they're literally dreading the moment.”

Which is why, when you get dressed on Thanksgiving day, Karen recommends doing an exercise that she lays out in her book, Dress Your Best Life, called Having a Mindful Morning. Simply ask yourself how you're feeling and be honest with the answer. After that, you have two choices when it comes to dressing: mood illustration or mood enhancement. Mood illustration is about maintaining emotional equilibrium—that is, wearing whatever is most comfortable or reflects your current state mind. Think about it: Do you subconsciously reach for your favorite T-shirt when you're anxious? Mood enhancement (or dopamine dressing, as TikTok calls it), however, is intentionally wearing something that pushes you into a happier space—bright colors, bold prints, etc.

Regardless of the path you choose, Elisabeth Kassab, a stylist and personal shopper behind the account Stylist Check, advises embracing the fall season of it all. “This sounds weird, but you almost want to match what is on the table,”she says. “So a lot of burnt oranges, browns, reds, burgundy, beige, and tan. These colors are so cozy and warm, which is exactly how you want to feel on Thanksgiving.”

To make getting dressed for the day even easier for you, we asked the experts and scoured the latest street-style photos for the best Thanksgiving outfit ideas. Below you'll find advice for what to wear regardless of the situation—whether you're meeting your partner's family for the first time, attending a Friendsgiving, hosting the big event, spending time with family, or just enjoying a low-stakes turkey dinner and a Thanksgiving movie at home.

Crewneck sweater + wide-leg jeans + polo

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

13 Thanksgiving Outfits That Are Cute and Comfortable, and Leave Room for Pumpkin Pie (2024)

FAQs

What clothing is worn on Thanksgiving? ›

For example, try combining an oversized sweater with leather pants and small gold hoop earrings. Or opt for a fitted bodysuit with straight-leg jeans, neutral booties and a long coat in a rich autumnal hue.

What is the best color to wear on Thanksgiving? ›

Much like red and green symbolize Christmas, Thanksgiving has its own set of special hues. While, technically, just about any color can be incorporated into a Thanksgiving table setting or holiday theme, the Thanksgiving color scheme most people associate with Turkey Day is orange, brown, red and yellow.

Can you wear green on Thanksgiving? ›

One of the top colors to wear on Thanksgiving is dark green—and we love the forest green shade. It's gorgeous on any skin tone and, like black, flatters all body types.

What to wear on Thanksgiving for men? ›

Hosting Friends for a Laid-Back Dinner

A casual knit sweater or a henley shirt offers a laid-back yet polished look. Pair it with comfortable jeans or corduroy pants, and round off the outfit with casual sneakers or desert boots.

Is it okay to wear white on Thanksgiving? ›

Etiquette expert Emily Post agrees that you can wear white every day of the year. The decision is "more about the fabric choice today than color." This rule is evident when thinking about white wool or cable-knit sweaters.

What was worn at the first Thanksgiving? ›

In fact, according to historical evidence, they wore a variety of bright colors. Women usually wore a large undergarment with a blouse with buttons and a full-length skirt. Men would generally wear a short sleeve shirt with a collar, and a thicker buttoned-up jacket.

What are the 2 main colors of Thanksgiving? ›

While orange, yellow, and brown are the traditional hues used to represent the holiday that celebrates gratitude and familial bonds, those aren't your only options when setting the table or decorating around your house.

Can I wear blue for Thanksgiving? ›

For more formal yet modern family Thanksgiving outfits, consider a navy blue color scheme.

What color is Happy Thanksgiving? ›

Orange is one of the most popular colors associated with Thanksgiving. While it is often thought of as a fall color, orange actually has a long history with this holiday. Orange was one of the colors of the early American flag and was common in fall foliage before it was used to decorate homes and businesses.

Can you wear jeans on Thanksgiving? ›

Not Dressed Up, But Not Super Casual.

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).

Can I wear pink on Thanksgiving? ›

As far as what colors to wear on Thanksgiving, there really isn't a limit. Wear any color that makes you feel good. I personally love wearing browns, cream colors and pink.

Is grey a Thanksgiving color? ›

For example, use white, grey, or even blue dinnerware to set a neutral base to juxtapose against the oranges, reds, and browns. A light grey dinner plate with navy blue napkins, accompanied by white candles scattered throughout the table, will help the warm traditionalist colors of Thanksgiving pop with new life!

Can I wear leggings to Thanksgiving? ›

LEGGINGS. This is typically the type of outfit I wear for Thanksgiving- a little bit dressy PLUS stretchy pants for alllll the turkey! I've broken it down into two types of leggings depending on your preference. Spanx Faux Leather Leggings: these are SO worth the price!

Can you wear black to Thanksgiving? ›

Black is an easy color go-to for any wintertime occasion, whether formal or informal. You likely already have black pieces in your wardrobe, so let's style them for thanksgiving.

What are Thanksgiving colors for clothes? ›

“So a lot of burnt oranges, browns, reds, burgundy, beige, and tan. These colors are so cozy and warm, which is exactly how you want to feel on Thanksgiving.” To make getting dressed for the day even easier for you, we asked the experts and scoured the latest street-style photos for the best Thanksgiving outfit ideas.

How do you dress for Thanksgiving? ›

Whether you balance out a pair of high-waist, wide-leg pants with a refined boyfriend shirt; pair an oversize cardigan with tights and platforms; cover a simple, autumnal-toned slip with a streamlined blazer for extra polish; or style your free-flowing maxi with cowboy boots for a distinct Western touch, there's a ...

What is the traditional color for Thanksgiving? ›

While orange, yellow, and brown are the traditional hues used to represent the holiday that celebrates gratitude and familial bonds, those aren't your only options when setting the table or decorating around your house.

Are jeans appropriate for Thanksgiving? ›

Build Your Thanksgiving Outfit Base

While there is nothing wrong with a good pair of jeans and a comfortable shirt, this combo may not fit the bill if you want to dress to impress. However, it can make for a good base to build from.

Do people wear costumes for Thanksgiving? ›

Turns out that people all across America used to wear costumes on or near Thanksgiving, which effectively created a mash-up of Halloween and Turkey Day.

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