Woman in a black leather jacket and gray skirt, wearing sunglasses, standing against a yellow and orange background.

What to Wear to Thanksgiving

Written by: ASTR the Label

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Published on

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Time to read 7 min

Aside from where you’re gathering, the formula typically stays the same: comfy but cute, in warm fall tones, with a layer you can add or lose as the day goes on. 


For most of us, that means a cozy sweater dress, a long sleeve midi, or effortlessly chic separates, basically anything you can sit through a long Thanksgiving dinner in without giving your waistband a second thought. A restaurant dinner calls for something dressier, a day at home can lean relaxed, hosting needs pieces that move with you, and Friendsgiving is your excuse to get a little flirty. 


Now's the perfect time to get set for the season. So, below, we're sharing our favorite Thanksgiving outfit ideas for all four, plus the colors and fabrics that make even the simplest look feel festive.

How Dressy Is Thanksgiving? Start With the Setting

Thanksgiving doesn't come with an official dress code, which is both the good news and the tricky part. Most invites won't spell out what to wear, so the setting and the host usually decide for you. Before you start pulling pieces from your closet, think about where you're eating and who'll be at the table. That answers most of the question before you've even tried anything on.

Woman in a sleeveless dark brown top and matching cropped pants with tied waist.

Shop these looks: Kelly Two Piece Turtleneck Sweater & Deora Midi Skirt


Setting

How dressy

Go-to outfit

Restaurant or country club

Dressy

Long sleeve midi dress, heeled boots, and a tailored coat

Family dinner at home

Smart casual to relaxed

Sweater dress, or a cozy knit with pants and ankle boots

Meeting a partner's family

One notch up

Midi dress or polished separates with delicate jewelry

Friendsgiving

The host's call

Mini dress, tights, and knee-high boots



Still not sure? Just ask the host. It's a totally normal question, and way less awkward than being the only one in a blazer. Otherwise, choose a piece that can dress up or dress down, like a knit midi you can wear with sneakers or heels, and let your shoes and layers decide on the day. Our Thanksgiving outfits edit is the perfect place to start.

What to Wear to a Dressy Thanksgiving Dinner


Wondering what to wear for Thanksgiving dinner when the invite leans fancy? A dressy Thanksgiving is more dinner party than black tie. Think elevated but relaxed: something that looks gorgeous by candlelight and still lets you go back for pie. Candlelight-ready. Second-helping-approved. For most dressy Thanksgivings, a dress is the easiest route, and there are three ways to wear it.


The Sweater Dress

If you only want to make one decision, make it a sweater dress. It's warm without the bulk, has enough stretch to see you through a long Thanksgiving dinner, and instantly looks good with knee-high boots. Chocolate, camel, and wine all feel just right for the day. To take it from the living room to the dining table, add a belt at the waist or a pair of statement earrings. 

Our sweater dresses are the one-and-done answer if you'd rather save your energy for the stuffing.

Model wearing ASTR the Label brown off-the-shoulder sweater dress with long sleeves and gold jewelry
         Shop this look: One Shoulder Midi Sweater Dress

A Long Sleeve Midi Dress With a Layer


For the dressier end of the scale, a long sleeve midi does the heavy lifting. Satin catches the light at an evening dinner, velvet feels instantly festive (and a little romantic), and a moody fall floral is so pretty if solids feel too serious. Bring a layer for the drive over, whether that's a long cardigan, a blazer, or a wool coat, and slip it off when you arrive. The midi length is the real win here: it works with knee-high boots at a relaxed dinner and heels at a restaurant, so one of our long sleeve dresses can go wherever the invite takes you. Want something extra festive? Our Holiday Collection has velvet and satin styles made to make an entrance.


Tailored Separates and Jumpsuits


Not a dress girl? Tailored pieces can be just as dressy. Wide-leg pants with a fine knit tucked in look sharp and feel like almost nothing. A structured blazer over a satin midi skirt pairs polish with a flowy silhouette. And a jumpsuit gives you the ease of a dress with the attitude of separates: one piece, zero outfit math, and totally put together at the table. Start with our blazers and tailored separates to build the look, and finish any of these with a low heel or a pointed boot.

Casual Thanksgiving Outfits That Still Look Put Together

Most Thanksgivings happen at home, and plenty of us would rather be comfy than dressed to the nines. Totally fair. Casual Thanksgiving outfits just need one thing that shows you made an effort. Here are three easy formulas that get it right every time:


  • Chunky knit + straight-leg jeans + ankle boots. A textured sweater does the dressing up for you.

  • Sweater vest + fitted tee + pants + loafers. A little preppy, one of the season's trending layers, and so cute in family photos. Our sweater vests make it easy.

  • Knit matching set + clean sneakers or ballet flats. As comfy as loungewear, but coordinated enough to pass for a real outfit.





Woman wearing a dark brown suede bomber jacket, matching shorts, black lace top, and black sunglasses.
Shop these looks: Raevin Bomber Jacket & Rain High Rise Shorts

The difference between relaxed and sloppy usually comes down to one detail. That could be a knit with an interesting texture, gold hoops, a structured bag, or a shoe with some shape. Add just one, and a cute Thanksgiving outfit built on jeans looks pulled together rather than thrown on. If you're building around a knit, start with our cozy sweaters, or shop the Cozy Edit for so many fall favorites in one place.

What to Wear If You're Hosting Thanksgiving


Hosting means cooking, serving, refilling, and greeting, sometimes all at once, so your outfit needs to keep up. Choose easy-care fabrics that won't mind a splash of gravy, sleeves you can push up to the elbow (loose, floaty sleeves and a hot stove don't mix), and hems that stay well away from the oven door.


A knit matching set makes the perfect Thanksgiving hosting outfit because it moves with you and looks effortlessly chic without even trying. A midi dress with flat boots works too, as long as the skirt isn't too full for a busy kitchen. Our favorite trick is a two-stage outfit: wear an apron over your base look while you cook, then lose the apron and add statement earrings (or change into a statement top) when the doorbell rings. Our matching sets go from stove to table without a second thought.

Woman in plaid jacket, beige top, shorts, and tall brown boots with a dog in a city scene.

Shop these looks: Shae Plaid Jacket & Wynn High Rise Shorts 

Friendsgiving Outfit Ideas

Friendsgiving is the flirtier, more playful side of the holiday. It's often in the evening, there's rarely a grandparent to impress, and there will definitely be photos. That makes it the moment for an outfit with a little personality.


A mini dress with opaque tights and knee-high boots is the easy win, so start with our mini dresses. A satin skirt with a fitted knit feels feminine and elevated but still relaxed, and a statement top with faux leather pants is made to turn heads. Whatever you choose, add one photo-ready element, whether that's a bold color, a great pair of earrings, or a texture that catches the light. If the evening moves on to drinks afterward, you're already dressed for it. For more looks that go from day to night, browse our Night Out edit.

Two women, one in a pink lace dress with ruffled sleeves, the other in an off-the-shoulder maroon sweater.

Shop these looks: Cadence Mini Dress, Off Shoulder Sweater Top & Candide Sequin Mini Skirt

Thanksgiving Colors and Fabrics to Reach For


Color and texture do most of the seasonal work, so even a simple silhouette can feel festive. Wine, brown, and navy are the three shades we're loving most this fall (get the full rundown in our wine, brown, and navy color guide), and they sit beautifully alongside classic Thanksgiving tones. When in doubt, reach for these:

  • Wine: the dressiest of the group, especially in velvet or satin.

  • Chocolate brown: a softer alternative to black that goes with everything.

  • Navy: an unexpected Thanksgiving shade that looks so chic with camel and cream.

  • Rust: warm and earthy, and at its best in a knit.

  • Olive: looks gorgeous next to camel and gold jewelry.

  • Camel and cream: the easiest layering colors, and fresh and bright against darker fall tones.

For fabrics, knits and corduroy bring the warmth, while velvet, satin, and faux suede handle the dressier end. One comfort tip worth taking seriously: a little stretch or a relaxed waist makes a long meal way more enjoyable. For more ideas, explore our Fall Color Edit.

ASTR the Label fall dresses: navy floral wrap dress, brown satin lace slip dress, and blue floral lace maxi dress

Shop these looks: Calantha Maxi Dress, Andy Maxi Dress & Romy Floral Maxi Dress

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear black to Thanksgiving?

Absolutely. Black is a perfectly appropriate Thanksgiving color, and it's easy to make it feel seasonal. Choose a warmer texture like velvet, a chunky knit, or faux suede, then add a rich accent through your bag, boots, or jewelry. A  black dress with cognac boots, for example, feels just right for the day.

Can you wear white to Thanksgiving?

Yes! The old "no white after Labor Day" rule is officially outdated, and cream, ivory, and winter white look so fresh in fall. Pair them with warm tones and heavier fabrics like wool or knits so the look feels seasonal. It is a big meal, though, so choose something you won't stress about spilling on. Browse  The White Edit for ideas.

What shoes should you wear to Thanksgiving?

Boots are the most versatile choice. Knee-high boots look so cute with dresses and skirts, while ankle boots work with jeans and pants. Loafers or ballet flats are the comfy option for a day at home, and a block heel suits a dressier dinner. Check the forecast first, and whether it's a shoes-off household.

What should you wear to Thanksgiving with your partner's family?

Dress one notch up from what you'd wear at home. A midi dress or polished separates with neat layers make a great first impression without looking like you're trying too hard. Skip slogan tops and super short hemlines, and ask your partner what their family usually wears. They'll know.

Shop Thanksgiving Outfits at ASTR the Label


Once you know what kind of Thanksgiving you're heading to, the rest gets so much easier. Whether it's a candlelit restaurant dinner, a long afternoon at home, or a Friendsgiving that runs late, our  Thanksgiving edit brings together the dresses, knits, and separates to match, and with new arrivals dropping every week, there are so many fall favorites to choose from.


Settled on a dress? Browse our  fall dresses for more flattering silhouettes and rich colors, or explore the full  fall collection.


Woman in black sleeveless, textured, button-front mini dress, paired with sheer tights.

Shop this look: Daphne Mini Dress

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