What to Wear for Your Thanksgiving Feast

The older you get, the more important Thanksgiving seems to be. One year you’re meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time and nervous about making a good impression. The next year you’re helping prepare a Thanksgiving feast yourself—and you finally realize just how much work goes into it.

No matter what you’re doing for the first time this Thanksgiving, now’s the time to put your best sartorial foot forward. Whether you’re working hard on impressing the significant other’s family or simply want to look your best, we’ve got your back. Here’s exactly what to wear for this week’s Thanksgiving feast.

The Casual Option: With Family and Friends

When your poor mother has been spending the previous twenty-four hours preparing a meal for more than a dozen people, the least you can do is hop out of those sweatpants, take a shower, and present yourself in something a little more formal.

The question is, if you’re spending Thanksgiving with people you know already, just how “dressed up” should you really be? After all, you figure, you’re just hanging out with family and friends at home.

That might be true, but it’s no excuse to avoid looking your best. Here’s what we’re thinking for a casual look:

  • Wear a shirt with a collar. A T-shirt and jeans might look good for any other ordinary Thursday, but this is no ordinary Thursday. Bonus points if you wear something orange, brown, or particularly seasonal.
  • Layer with a casual sweater. A crewneck sweater with a more neutral tone will work just fine.
  • Opt for flat front khakis. Flat front khakis like these Charleston Khaki Cotton/Tencil Flat Front trousers will work perfectly.
  • Don’t forget the accessories. After pairing your belt with your shoes, pay attention to your socks. In all likelihood, you’re not going to stomp mud around your parents’ home anyway. So wear a pair of thick wool socks with bold colors that fit with your outfit’s overall chosen theme.

The Formal Option: Dressing to Impress

Let’s say this is the first time you’re spending Thanksgiving with a family that’s not yours, but instead the family of that special someone in your life. The suggestions above will work just fine, but if you really want to kick it up a notch for a more formal occasion, we have a few tips:

  • Switch to pleated. Charleston Khaki Washed Pleated trousers are a touch more formal than the above option and go well with our next item…
  • Add a blazer. Tan, navy, charcoal—take your pick. A blazer is one of the most convenient and comfortable ways to add a layer of formality to your outfit; just make sure not to pair a black coat with brown shoes. When in doubt, stick with blue and brown.

A blazer is a great option for dressing up especially if you aren’t sure what everyone else will be wearing—you can simply hang your blazer up with your coat if you need to dress down a little and not look like you’re trying too hard. Either way, Berle has the trousers you need.