What to Wear to Thanksgiving: 15 Outfit Ideas for Every Kind of Dinner

last updated: November 2026

thanksgiving 2026 is thursday, november 26, and the question in the group chat is the same every year: what do i wear that looks good in photos, works for a three-hour dinner, and doesn't make my aunt comment?

so we built 15 thanksgiving outfits, one for every kind of dinner: the dressed-up one at your in-laws', the jeans-and-a-great-sweater one at your parents', and the one where you're on the couch by 4pm. every piece is linked and priced. the formula this year: tartan, chocolate brown and burgundy, a good coat, and knee-high boots.

heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission if you buy. it never costs you extra. hill house home, bogner, unbound merino, talbots, boohoo, brilliant earth, merit and refy are qatch partners.

Quick Answer: what should you wear to thanksgiving?

one more thing: black friday is the day after thanksgiving, so a lot of these pieces will go on sale that weekend. join the group chat to get our black friday list first. if you need an outfit for thursday, order it this week so it gets there in time.

if you want one thanksgiving dress that works at every table, this is it. the hill house home antoinette dress in jewel tartan ($278) has puff sleeves and a black lace collar, and it's the kind of dress people ask about. black tights and black knee boots keep it from looking too sweet. the burgundy bag is your one pop of color.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the quince coat ($164) is the steal and goes with every look on this list. the ralph lauren bag is the splurge. any small burgundy shoulder bag does the same job.

same tartan, more room for pie. the hill house home ellie maxi nap dress ($198) has a smocked top and tiered skirt, so it's the comfiest dress on this list and still looks put together. wear it with a black coat, black western boots and chunky gold hoops.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the dress is the steal of the dresses section at $198. if you already own black boots, you only need the dress.

burgundy and chocolate brown are the colors of thanksgiving 2026, and this look is both. the hill house home rhiannon dress in mulberry ($248) is a structured mini, so it looks expensive. tie a paisley bandana at your neck and add a long brown coat. this is the outfit for friendsgiving or a dinner that turns into drinks.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the bucket bag ($78) is the steal. the rails coat ($498) is the splurge, and it shows up in two looks here, so it earns it.

the chicest outfit on the list, and the easiest. the unbound merino turtleneck dress ($155) is a sleek black merino midi, so it's warm, it doesn't wrinkle and it won't feel tight after dinner. the plaid coat makes it feel like fall. use code QATCH10 for 10% off unbound.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the charles & keith boots ($139) are the steal. the dress is the piece you'll wear to every holiday dinner through new year's.

for the person who wants to look a little romantic at dinner. the for love & lemons flora velvet mini dress in tan ($298) has burgundy velvet flowers and a velvet bow at the neck. match your boots and bag to the flowers. nude tights keep it from being too much for a family table.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the tights and bag together are just over $100. the nine west boots come back in look #13 too.

this is the answer to "can i wear jeans to thanksgiving?" yes, if they're these. chocolate-brown wide-leg denim and a soft oatmeal turtleneck look elevated without trying. the bogner svoni alpaca-blend pullover ($690) is the investment sweater, and the talbots double face belted coat ($449) is the grey wrap coat that goes over everything. the crystal chain belt is what makes it a holiday outfit.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the anthropologie bag ($108) is the steal. the bogner sweater is the splurge, and it's an alpaca blend you'll wear every winter.

the outfit that feels like pajamas and looks like you tried. an oversized v-neck sweater over satin pull-on pants, plus sneakers. the sweater is the boohoo super soft v-neck oversized jumper, and it's $17 (15% off with code QATCH15BH). the bogner kimberly teddy jacket is the cozy layer for the walk in.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the $17 boohoo sweater is the steal of the entire post. the bogner teddy jacket is the splurge, and you'll wear it all ski season.

jeans and a white tank, until you put the jacket on. the for love & lemons victorian lace military jacket ($298) does all the work here. underneath, the unbound merino rib tank ($85) keeps you warm without bulk, and it's 10% off with code QATCH10. finish with a merit signature lipstick ($22.40) in a soft rosy nude.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the steve madden boots ($130) are the steal. if you already have dark straight jeans, skip the frame pair and put that money toward the jacket.

for the cool cousin. the maeve oversized animal print coat ($228) is a zebra print that reads neutral, so it goes with everything. under it, an olive tie-waist knit, light jeans and a gold statement belt. kitten-heel mules keep it dinner-ready.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the reformation top ($98) and baublebar studs ($38) are the steals. the streets ahead belt is the splurge. any black-and-gold statement belt gives the same effect.

leopard is a neutral on thanksgiving, especially in brown. the sezane wide leg trousers ($165) in a leopard print plus a fuzzy mustard knit is a fun combo that still looks polished. the long chocolate sezane louis coat ($498) ties it together.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the trousers ($165) are the piece to buy. if your coat is already brown or black, you're done.

for the dinner that turns into drinks with your hometown friends. the bdg kayla velvet flocked low-rise jeans ($63) have a brown, tie-dyed velvet texture, and they're the most interesting jeans on this list. wear them with a cream wrap sweater, a little lace peeking out, and a fringe bag.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the jeans ($63) and skims bralette ($38) are the steals. the fringe hobo and staud mules are the splurges.

a plaid midi skirt with a fringe hem is the best thanksgiving skirt we found. the doen elowette knotted fringe skirt ($348) mixes navy and burgundy plaid, so it goes with almost anything. the brilliant earth sol starburst diamond bracelet in 14k yellow gold is the forever piece: you'll wear it every holiday from here on.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the abercrombie scarf ($30) and jacket ($130) are the steals. the brilliant earth bracelet is the gift-to-yourself piece (or the one to send to whoever's buying your holiday gift).

pink and red is the color combo for the holidays this year, and it looks so good with burgundy. a fuzzy pink sweater over the rails romina skirt in wine ($228) is soft and a little unexpected. for makeup, the refy watercolor collection ($70) gives you a bronze and a red that match the outfit.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the sweater ($129) and the gldn hoops ($98) are the steals. a satin slip skirt is the piece you'll rewear for every holiday party in december.

a matching set is the easiest way to look put together, because you only made one decision. the & other stories raw-edge tweed jacket ($199) and tweed mini skirt ($119) come in a warm brown tweed with flecks of blue. wear a cream long-sleeve under it, then add tights and tall brown boots.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the whole outfit is $533. the set is also two separate pieces, so the jacket goes with jeans and the skirt goes with a sweater.

for the at-home thanksgiving, the one where you're hosting, or the one where you'll be on the couch watching football before dessert. the talbots cashmere mockneck sweater ($348) and cashmere wide leg pants ($288) are soft enough to sleep in but look nice enough for photos. gold hoops make it an outfit.

get the look:

save vs. splurge: the bombas socks ($22) are the steal (and an easy stocking stuffer). the cashmere set is the splurge, and you'll live in it all winter.

buy one of these and you're halfway to three outfits:

want our black friday list first? JOIN THE GROUP CHAT (it’s free!!) 👉

for thanksgiving dinner, wear something comfortable that still looks put together: a tartan or burgundy dress with tights and knee-high boots, or nice jeans with a cozy sweater and one statement piece. stick to fall colors like chocolate brown, burgundy, cream and plaid. the hill house home antoinette dress in jewel tartan is our top pick for a dressed-up thanksgiving dinner.

a good casual thanksgiving outfit is chocolate-brown wide-leg jeans, a chunky turtleneck sweater and flats, or an oversized sweater with satin pull-on pants and sneakers. for something even cozier, a matching cashmere sweater and wide-leg pants with clogs works for an at-home thanksgiving.

yes, you can wear jeans to thanksgiving at most family dinners. choose dark or brown jeans and pair them with one piece that feels special, like a lace jacket, an alpaca turtleneck, a zebra coat or a crystal chain belt. looks 6 through 11 in this guide are all thanksgiving outfits with jeans or pants.

the best thanksgiving dresses are long-sleeve or puff-sleeve styles in tartan, burgundy, black or warm florals, worn with tights and knee-high boots. a maxi nap dress is the comfiest choice for a long dinner, and a structured burgundy mini works for friendsgiving.

the best colors to wear on thanksgiving are chocolate brown, burgundy and wine, cream, olive, mustard and tartan plaid. pink with burgundy is a newer combo that works for the holidays. gold jewelry goes with all of them.

knee-high boots are the most popular thanksgiving shoe, worn with dresses, skirts and tights. ballet flats, kitten-heel mules and slingbacks work with jeans. for an at-home thanksgiving, wear clogs with chunky socks.

if you're hosting thanksgiving, wear something you can move and cook in, with flat shoes. the cozy cashmere set (look 15) and the oversized sweater with satin pants (look 7) are the easiest to host in. for more, see our guide to what to wear to host thanksgiving.

yes. unbound merino takes code QATCH10 for 10% off, boohoo takes code QATCH15BH for 15% off, and noosh takes code QATCH10. the rest of the pieces link straight to the brand or retailer. black friday is the day after thanksgiving (november 27, 2026), so join the group chat to get our black friday list first.

more outfit guides from the group chat:

👉 nobody wants this season 3 outfits

👉 poppy's outfits from people we meet on vacation

👉 i tried 4 pairs of noosh tights: here's my honest review

join the group chat (it’s free!!) 👉

Last updated: November 2026. Prices at time of publication and may change. Qatch earns affiliate commission on some links. Hill House Home, Bogner, Unbound Merino, Talbots, Boohoo, Brilliant Earth, Merit and REFY are Qatch partners.