Mixing Style and Comfort on Turkey Day

By Susan Wagner

The hardest part of choosing an outfit for Thanksgiving is balancing comfort and style; the temptation, after all, is to toss on some elastic-waist pants and call it a day. But if you’re going to all the trouble of making your turkey and your table look nice, why not go the extra mile and show up for dinner looking good yourself?

Choose an outfit that’s appropriate for the day’s festivities. Machine washable pieces are a better choice for Thanksgiving than dry clean only, since you’ll be working with food or playing with kids. The kitchen will be warm, so dress in layers that you can easily take off and put back on as needed. And since you’ll probably be on your feet for most of the day, put on some comfortable shoes.

But don’t default to yoga pants and a hoodie; there are better options. A fitted tee and a beautiful cardigan will keep you cool in the kitchen and stylish at the table; add a big bold necklace or some chandelier earrings to dress it all up. Pair with corduroys and driving moccasins for a look that is casual and kid friendly and still functional.

Want to get a little more dressed up this year? Think about a shirt dress for Turkey Day. Add a cardigan for warmth; pair with boots and tights for colder climates, or simple flats if you live somewhere warm. Wear with pearls for a fun retro look, or with a big bold cuff bracelet for something more modern. A belted shirt dress is crisp and tailored without being too dressed up—and you can let the belt out after that second piece of pie and no one will ever know. Perfect.

No matter what you wear this Thanksgiving, enjoy the day with family and friends. And remember to put on an apron—you don’t want to come to the table covered in gravy.