A Fall Style Guide: What to Wear for Thanksgiving

For those of us in the United States, Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, good food, and family – and of course, there’s a lot of prep work that goes into it! The holidays are inevitably a rush, but between cooking, volunteering, and maybe even running a 5K (good for you!), planning a Thanksgiving outfit can quickly be put on the back burner. Between the work potluck and maybe even multiple family dinners, you might even need a whole selection of holiday looks! To help you decide on what to wear for Thanksgiving, we’ve put together 9 outfit ideas below. And if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, you can save these ideas for other October or November occasions!

1. Thanksgiving Dinner

If you want to style a Thanksgiving outfit like a personal stylist, try to find pieces that balance a chic look with comfort. You can still put together a great outfit without making yourself uncomfortable! Start by finding neutral versions of your cozy favorites in classic silhouettes. Swap a classic turtleneck sweater for a dress version, paired with tights. It’s an elevated take on your favorite knit and leggings, and looks more polished.

As for outerwear, a warm wool coat is perfect for cooler weather! A single-breasted version is streamlined and timeless. And speaking of extra warmth, add a pair of knee-high boots to balance out the shorter length of your dress. Accessorize with smart, preppy pieces like a headband, pearl stud earrings, and a vintage-inspired leather watch.

2. Friendsgiving

Do you have a Friendsgiving on your calendar this year? If you would describe your personal style as “academic” or “preppy”, try the quintessential fall outfit combo of a black turtleneck and a plaid mini skirt. This easy outfit idea truly never goes out of style, and is easy to recreate with pieces you probably already have in your closet.

Keep the rest of your look minimal and comfortable. Tights give you extra coverage against the cold, while black loafers fit right in with the aesthetic you’re going for on top. As for your bag, a small bowling bag can fit all of your essentials for your dinner or lunch get-together. A gold watch and small hoop earrings are all the jewelry you need to finish the look!

3. The Office Potluck

The Thanksgiving work potluck might just be one of the best days at the office – after all, who doesn’t love free food and a chance to get away from your desk? While you catch up with co-workers at the water cooler with a plate piled high with turkey and stuffing, go for an outfit that’s as chic as it is professional.

Everyone knows there’s nothing worse than sitting back down at your desk with a full stomach and tight, high-waisted pants – that’s why you should go with an elastic-waist version of your favorite wide-leg style. Silk or satin pants are also super comfortable, but still look elevated – basically a work-appropriate version of sweatpants.

On top, go for a more structured piece, or pieces. A white button-down shirt and a lady jacket are the perfect combo for an elegant, classy look. Slingback kitten heels, pearl and gold earrings, and a sleek leather work bag complete the office-ready outfit.

4. Thanksgiving Lunch

trench coat | sweater | skirt | tall boots | bag

Attending a Thanksgiving lunch? You probably want a slightly more casual outfit than a dinner alternative! For a daytime look, lean into lighter, brighter colors. Neutral shades like ivory, cream, tan, and brown make for great foundations for a mid-day Thanksgiving meal.

You can’t get much cozier than a cable knit sweater – and it’s still polished enough to style for a holiday get-together. Try pairing it with a patterned piece on the bottom to make your outfit more interesting. A plaid mini skirt is perfect!

Layer on a trench coat to help keep away any November chill or rain. It also gives your outfit an effortlessly chic French touch! Knee-high boots help keep you warm, and a red bag adds the perfect pop of color for a daytime event. You can play around with different colors here that bring out the plaid pattern in your skirt.

5. Friendsgiving

If you’ve been following fall trend reports or paying attention to what French women are buying, you’ll know that gingham shirts and pants are currently a hit. The best part? This is also a classic pattern that you can wear for years to come – it won’t fade away with a changing trend cycle.

For a fun and festive Friendsgiving look, pair a gingham shirt with classic denim. On top, a suede jacket is another currently-trending piece that adds the perfect amount of texture for a layered autumn look. This is a great combo for a casual dress code! Mary Jane heels add a Parisian-approved flair, while oval sunglasses are cool and chic. A belted bucket bag is large enough to hold your hostess or host gift and essentials. Now you’re ready to go enjoy the holiday week, catching up with old and new friends!

6. Day After Thanksgiving

Many of us have different traditions when it comes to the day after Thanksgiving – some of us spend it relaxing on the couch (well-earned after a busy holiday cooking and hosting), some head out to brave the crowds and shop, and others spend it giving back with volunteer opportunities. And others still might switch gears and start decorating for Christmas! (This is on my personal to-do list each year.)

If you’re headed out to score some deals and start holiday shopping early, look chic while doing so in a green sweater layered over a soft silk button-down shirt. Black jeans give great contrast to your tops, especially when styled with a pair of boots for a flattering monochromatic look. If you’re planning to walk a lot, you can swap these out for a pair of sneakers instead.

Add a statement bag to make your outfit more interesting – we’re always partial to leopard print here at MCO. Simple gold jewelry completes your look!

7. Wednesday Before Thanksgiving

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a fun opportunity to catch up with friends and family who came to town early. If you’re not busy prepping to host the next day, you might spend the Wednesday before meeting up with old friends for coffee or going out for lunch.

Go for a casual look if you’re enjoying a low-key day before the busy holiday season really kicks in. Red is the perfect pop of color for festive looks, and jeans are ideal for a more casual aesthetic. A plaid blazer and suede bag add pattern and texture to your easy outfit idea.

8. Thanksgiving Dinner

sweater | skirt | heels | bag | earrings

Here’s another outfit idea if you want to dress to the nines for Thanksgiving dinner. Dressing to impress doesn’t have to be complicated! If you want to style pieces from your fall or winter capsule wardrobe, try this look.

A turtleneck sweater is the optimal cozy piece to start your look. On the bottom, reach for a skirt with an elastic waist – this silk version is effortlessly elegant, but won’t feel constricting after a big meal. Kitten heels elevate your look, but are still practical for walking around in. A sleek leather shoulder bag and simple silver hoops complete your simple, yet chic outfit to wine and dine in style.

9. Shopping for Groceries

Thanksgiving isn’t just full of great food and family – it’s also a lot of work, especially if you’re hosting! For a quick (or maybe not so quick) run to the store for last-minute essentials, go for a comfy and cute outfit idea. First, reach for your favorite everyday leggings. Yes, you can still look put-together in black leggings!

On top, reach for a cashmere sweater and barn jacket. Accessorize with soft ribbed socks, suede clogs, and a suede tote bag – it’s the perfect combination for a crisp fall day.

Check Thanksgiving Outfits Off Your To-Do List

You have enough on your plate when it comes to Thanksgiving – don’t stress about what you’re going to wear! These outfit ideas take advantage of your favorite essentials, which means you can recreate most of them with similar pieces you already own. Choose your looks ahead of time and then focus on what really matters – giving thanks, giving back, and spending time with friends and family!

Ready for more fall looks in the meantime? Up Next: 10 Chic Fall Looks You Can Create With a Capsule Wardrobe