Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas for Women Over 50: Comfortable and Put Together

Thanksgiving is a long day in one outfit — several hours of it seated, some of it in a warm kitchen, and most of it photographed. That rules out anything with a rigid waistband and anything you have to keep adjusting.

Here are four outfits that hold up, plus what changes if you're the one cooking.

The Two Constraints

Everything below follows from these. First, you'll be sitting for two hours or more, so the waist has to give. Second, the temperature in a house with an oven running all day is not the temperature outside it, so you need a layer you can take off without the outfit collapsing.

Four Outfits

1. Sweater dress and boots

One piece, no waistband, warm enough for an evening drive home. A smocked or seamed waist gives shape while still moving with you. Add an ankle boot and you're done.

2. Wide leg pants and a fine knit

The most comfortable option on this list. Wide leg pants with an elastic or pull-on waist, a fine-gauge knit loosely tucked, and a flat or loafer.

3. A midi dress with a cardigan

A midi dress in a soft fabric with a longline cardigan over it. The cardigan comes off in the kitchen and goes back on at the table.

4. A two-piece set

A coordinated set looks considered and fits like separates — useful if your top and bottom sizes differ, and it photographs as one piece.

Fabrics and Waistlines That Forgive

• Knits, ponte and jersey. They move with you and recover their shape.
• Elastic, smocked or drawstring waists. The single most useful feature in a Thanksgiving outfit.
• Empire and dropped waists. Both sit away from the midsection entirely.
• Skip: stiff woven waistbands, anything with a snug lining, and pale fabrics near a gravy boat.

If You're Hosting

You'll be standing for most of the day, so treat it like a work shift. A cushioned flat or a low block heel, sleeves that push up or stay above the wrist, and nothing loose at the cuff near a hot pan.

Pick a color that hides a splash, and put the good layer on ten minutes before people arrive rather than wearing it through the cooking.

Colors for the Table

Deep warm tones photograph well against a dining room: rust, burgundy, forest, camel and cream. Keep the strongest color at the top, near your face, since most photos are taken from the chest up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear to Thanksgiving dinner if I'm a guest?

A sweater dress or wide leg pants with a knit — dressier than everyday, comfortable enough to sit in for hours, and warm enough for the drive home.

Is it too dressy to wear a dress to Thanksgiving?

No, provided it's a casual fabric. A knit or jersey dress reads as relaxed; satin and lace read as an evening event.

What shoes should I wear?

Flats or a low block heel if you're hosting or helping. Ankle boots if you're a guest and want the outfit to feel finished.

How do I stay comfortable through a long meal?

Choose the waistband before the outfit. An elastic, smocked or drawstring waist — or a dress with no waistband at all — does more for comfort than fabric choice.

Start Here

Browse knitwear, dresses and two-piece sets, or read our guide to sweater dresses for the easiest option on the list.