What will you be wearing on Thanksgiving Day? - YouLookFab Forum

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What will you be wearing on Thanksgiving Day?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I am thinking ahead here as I make my grocery list for Thanksgiving. Naturally my mind drifted to style ...

We are hosting my in-laws and two of my husband's sisters. So, I am the hostess - I never know how much I should dress up or not dress up, especially since I am going to be the one running the kitchen.

All I can think of is my grandma in the kitchen in a gorgeous apron and sitting down to dinner looking completely pulled together in a dress. That memory goes waaaaay back. In the year 2008, I need to wear comfy shoes because I'll be standing and cooking, yet I want to look nice when we sit at the table.

What is everyone wearing for Thanksgiving?

Dressing

41 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah

Violet

Good question! I have just been thinking about this recently. We go to my sister-in-law's house every year and it's a lot of fun. My husband has three other siblings and my parents and brother will be there along with various friends.

I am pretty involved with the setup and clean up, so I will probably wear something casual and washable in case there are any accidents with the food.

I will probably wear this outfit, but maybe with different shoes in case it is really cold:

http://i383.photobucket.com/al.....-08_02.jpg

shiny

Veteran

We're going back to PA and having T-day with at my brother's house, with his family, his in-laws, and my parents. Possibly a handful of other friends he may have invited too.

Our family get-togethers tend to be fairly casual. When we're at my mother's house, we lounge around in sweats and gear (especially because we do a family turkey trot in the morning). Then for dinner, simply switch into smart casual - nice jeans loose enough to accomodate turkey, and a cozy cardi or turtleneck, comfy but stylish shoes. Haven't made up my mind which just yet.... will do that this weekend when I pack for the week!

Then after dinner... we usually all crawl back into sweats, and take a nap ... before the late-night T-day white-bread-miracle-whip sandwich tradition!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I will be staying in TX (vs. being "home" in WA with my family) and we are spending the day with my husband's sister's in laws. They have a huge home that can fit everyone on my husband's side of the family, and they always make fantastic food.
I plan on wearing my lighter wash jeans, black Ride Line boots over the jeans, white ruffle bouse, and Express black white tipped blazer.
Later, I will switch into my University of Texas t-shirt to watch the game.

Telly

Dark jeans and a sweater. With my new snakeprint loafers.

Alecia

Veteran

Both places we'll be going are pretty casual. I'm thinking my dark jeans and my new grey sweater from BR. I bought the latter ages ago but it's been too warm to wear. Maybe the weather will cooperate on Thanksgiving.

Tanya

Veteran

I am staying at home, and my BF is coming for a visit. We might have some friends join us too. We will be cooking some simple stuff ourselves.

So I will be wearing deep purple velveteen pants and pale mauve/pink slightly sheer mohair sweater with an interesting neckline. I'd like to be cute for the BF and the guests and comfy considering all the work I will be doing.

This makes me remember that I really want a pair of black velveteen straight leg jeans. Such item would be incredibly useful during holidays.

Anonymous

This is always a tuff one considering the amount of work to be done and the possability of spilling os spattering food down the front of myself. We will be going to my Mother in Laws house in Coulee Dam where the weather is colder. I won't be the master of the kitchen which gives me more of an opportunity to be cute, but my in laws, in my husbands words, don't have an ounce of stylishness in them. They will be in Tshirts from some past vacation and jeans or shorts. I'm in a quandry as to whether I dress just like them or take it up a notch. I'll probably take it up a notch because YLF has changed me enough to feel not right otherwise.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Tanya, I saw some black velvet Limited jeans at TJMaxx yesterday. I seriously considered trying them on...
And San, just be your fabulous self and I'm sure you will look great no matter what you wear. Even if nobody else cares, you deserve to look good. My in-laws and my SIL's in-laws don't have "an ounce of stylishness" either.
But I do.

julijuli

We are going to California to be with my family. My hubby and I cook the turkey so I know I need to be a little more casual. I had a gift certificate for JCrew and got the pink silk ruffly halter and really want to wear that with my skinnies & black cardi. But - I'm a little worried it will get completely splattered! I may have to work in a cute apron with the outfit.

kristinaps

Shiny, where will you be in PA?

Amanda

I'm heading down to Florida to visit family -- we are having Thanksgiving dinner at the family lake house. Usually I dress smart casual forT-day but since we'll out in the country at the lake house, I'm planning to wear my jag jeans, gray converse and red 3/4 sleeve knit top over a white button down shirt.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting! Most of you are casual on TG day - some smart casual. I’m the opposite. I dress business casually (no jeans), and we celebrate at a home where you don’t need to take your shoes off inside. The crowd there are pretty smart too. Kids as well. I am usually tasked with dessert which I bake there – with a HUGE apron. We start eating at 3pm and don’t stop till midnight. Glorious!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I am cooking for my in-laws, but I think I would like to wear something a little more than smart casual. I might go for a skirt and boots, although the skirt might just be a denim.

I don't know yet, but I do know I'll be cooking for two days, and I'd like to look and feel nice when I finally get to sit down and eat.

But I'll get comfy for our bacon-and-stuffing sandwiches that night.

Nicole

Veteran

How fun!

THis will be my first Thanksgiving away from my own home. I used to cook for my entire family, but once the numbers hit 50 guests, I decided it wasn't fun anymore and stopped. Then I would cook for my immediate family and usually have "visitors" for pie. But this year, we are going over our friend's house, but I will be helping with a lot of the cooking.

I hadn't really thought about what I'd wear, but now that this thread has brought it to my attention--I think I'll wear a pair of my new plaid pants, my new red boots (of course!) and a sweater of some sort. Either a V neck pullover or a cardigan--so I can add some interesting color underneath.

My husband does not like to dress up for holidays, but I'll talk him into wearing something nice and I'll also expect my kids to dress relatively nice. (which means no tee shirts and no sweat pants.)

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Nicole, those boots are unbelievably gorgeous, now that I've gotten to see them photographed at the Boston Tea Party.

This thread is inspiring me to dress up a bit more than I originally thought. I am thinking sweater dress with leggings and flats, since I am hosting and won't be going outdoors -- and I can stand comfortably in my Me Too flats for a good long time while cooking.

p.s. I want to know what Angie's making for dessert. We are having pies - sweet potato with cinnamon ice cream, and cherry with vanilla (ice cream is very important in our family!)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Delicious! My mouth is watering. Lovely outfit choices Laura, Kristin and Nicole. It's good to know we're not the only ones dressing up.

Back in the day when my Mum was around, we absolutely dressed up for Xmas (all 3 days of them – 24th, 25th and 26th). My parents would not have it any other way. Rightly or wrongly, I suppose that’s what I'm used to even though TG is not Xmas.

Laura, we’re not American but have been celebrating TG at American households since we came to the country. We love your TG tradition! I always bring a non- traditional dish and hosts have come to expect it that way. This year I’m bringing a South African bread and butter pudding that’s soufflé- like in the centre with crunchy bits on top. I serve it with a runny fresh vanilla cream. It puffs up in the oven and it’s quite the show piece. It went down really well last year and I’ve been requested to make it again. The host emailed this message to the guest list last week. It made me smile:

“Excellent. In fact, about 2/3 of the joy of Thanksgiving is seeing our friends in merriment, and 1/3 is lusting after Angie's pudding.”

I’m excited and honoured. It’s a food centric holiday and I love to cook and eat. Spending it with fabulous friends makes it all the more special. I’d love to hear more about your TG traditions.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, Angie, I am a sweets person through and through and your dessert sounds out of this world!

Some of my favorite Thanksgivings took place in NYC when we were in our 20s and scraping by, and I had collected The United Nations of Friends, as my mom called it. Once, I tried to serve traditional T-giving meal from a galley kitchen about 13 inches wide, with a stove so small I had to wedge the turkey in sideways.

But my best memories are at my grandparents' home on a lake in Wisconsin, when my grandfather would close his grocery store the day before Thanksgiving and literally bring home everything that hadn't been sold - sometimes including a duck, goose, turkey and beef tenderloin - and my grandmother would start cooking. And cooking. And cooking. My mom, aunt, grandma, two cousins and I had such fun in the kitchen together! That was where the real laughs happened. What I wouldn't do to stand beside my grandma in the kitchen just one more time.

marianne

We're spending TG with my parents and it'll be very casual. My dad hates to dress up and he probably doesn't own a single non-casual item. Even though I didn't grown up in US, my parents got into the tradition. Since we're vegetarian, and they are not, I'll be doing a fair share of cooking. I am not very good at desserts, so it's fun to hear about yours

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Arwhh, Laura. I love your TG stories. From riches, to rags and back to riches! What is it about the olden days that makes things special. Deeply embedded traditions, a lot of sentiment and good old fashioned cooking. There is no substitute.

Your NYC oven story is hilarious. I remember having student dinner parties in a bachelor flat that was the size of a postage stamp. It didn’t harm the quality of the food though! I bet your TG will be just as fabulous this year

Marianne, there is usually a tofurky at the TG tables we go to because someone is vegetarian. What will you be making? I love non-taditional twists on anything.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I'll probably go smart casual, since Brendan and I are going to a friend's house where everyone will be casual (although, more dressed up than they usually are--button ups instead of t-shirts). Since we moved to Austin, it's become a tradition to go to his house. His parents drive in from New Orleans, and he has other friends over as well. They're a great bunch of people. This year, our friend's girlfriend and her family are going to his house too, so it should be really fun. She is an amazing person, I LOVE her! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will get married, hee hee.

Since Brendan is not from the US, he didn't celebrate TG until he moved here either. The first year we were together, we were living in Tulsa and we couldn't go visit my family for the holiday, so I wanted to make a big dinner. He wasn't so into it, but I insisted. Then he got really involved, and now it's a holiday he really looks forward to. I made Key Lime Pie that first year (he and I spent 40 minutes juicing key limes to make the pie--our hands were so sore, lol), and also Double Apple Pie. Both recipes are from Nigella Lawson's book, "How to be a Domestic Goddess," which I highly recommend. Anyway, now Brendan insists that I have to make those two pies every year, so we're taking them to our friend's house, along with fresh bread and mashed potatoes, that Brendan is making. It should be really fun--I'm so excited!

Angie, your pudding sounds so yummy! Is it a secret recipe, or would you be willing to share? Brendan absolutely loves a good cream pudding, and I haven't been able to find many recipes for them.

Nicole

Veteran

I'd love to get my hands on your bread and butter recipe too, Angie.

I am waiting to hear back from my friends who are hosting us this year. Her husband has been texting me and emailing asking me to help his wife because she is not comfortable in the kitchen. I don't want to step on her toes, so I've left a messae asking what I can bring. I have some traditional items that I make every year, so I'm sort of thinking of bringing those items which include:

Butternut Bisque
Almond Bread Stuffing
And of course pies. I usually ask each person what their favorite pie is and try to make one for each person. This year, I think I'll offer to make three pies: Apple, Pumpkin and Lemon Meringue.

dee

We have made wonderful friends in the US and every year a friend of ours opens her home to all of the foreigners she knows. It's become a great tradition. It's a pretty casual affair, but I usually wear a dress to accommodate post-turkey expansion!

Munequita

I am not American either, but I absolute LOVE TG! I look forward to it every year. My first TG was with my husband's family (who are American) and I absolutely fell in love with the holiday and of course the food.

My husband is a Naval officer and we have had the honor to share many TG dinners with friends or neighbors when we were not able to travel to see his family in Colorado. We have been very blessed to meet great people in our military journey who have always become 'family' instead of friends. We are now living in Virginia, and we won't be able to go to Colorado this year. We are spending the holiday with my wonderful neighbor, who will be teaching me how to cook many of the dishes. I am SO excited because I have never had anyone teach me how to cook the stuff. I can't wait to learn and eat lots and lots of yummy TG food!

Angie, your exotic spin on TG cooking sounds marvelous!

Oh yeah, and I will be wearing a sweater dress with tights and flats (with an apron when needed). I was also raised to dress up for the holidays.

Anonymous

We are going to Boulder CO to be with relatives. I'm not sure what we are having but will be helping in the kitchen. It will be casual/smart casual so I plan to wear black Express skinny pants tucked into brown suede scrunchy knee high boots with wedge heels and a chocolate brown silk/wool blend cardi sprinkled with chocolate sequins over a mock turtle chocolate shell shot with some shiny brown threads (not the same brand as cardi but seem to go together). The sparkle is just enough to be a nod to the festive season. I'll also wear a big granny apron in the kitchen.
Everything I'm wearing I bought at thrift or consignment stores this fall. I just found the amazing comfy boots this past week. Thanks to this forum my eyes went to the scrunchy boots and I'm feeling confident wearing black and brown together. I might sub dark skinny jeans with a long tank on top under the sequined sweater depending on the weather.

Lena

I'm not American, but have been celebrating Thanksgiving with family of my mother's friends ever since I came here.

First time I tried pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes I wasn't very impressed. And NOW they are my top favorite foods! I make pumpkin pie and pumpkin custard constantly, even off-season. And I'm a big fan of sweet potato fries, or just without anything.

I really enjoy dressing up for the holidays. Most people at this Thanksgiving don't dress up a lot: adults dress casual or smart casual, the kids don't dress up. I haven't decided what to wear yet. I do know that it will need to be layered because the house we are going to is pretty chilly.

Btw, I'm bringing my favorite roasted beets dish.

marianne

Angie, I am not a huge fan of imitation meat and tofurky in particular. We usually try to make something "hearty", but not necessarily TG-related. For example, in the past we've made lasagne, rice and beans casserole, souffle, wild mushroom gratin... We usually get more elaborate with sides and vegetable dishes. This year I haven't decided yet, even though there isn't much time left for shopping. I might do a mushroom dish again, but I might also go simple and try some baked tempeh as the protein course, so we'll eat that and my parents will work on the turkey.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow. Thanks for indulging me ladies. I enjoy hearing how the locals celebrate and how us foreigners have taken to the tradition. I think TG is my favourite holiday. EVERY culture should have a TG day.

Ana, Lena and Nicole, your pie traditions sound fabulous! Perhaps YOUR versions of pumpkin pie could get me to like the dish! I’ll eat pumpkin pie if I have to but not by choice – I’m more into the lemon meringue that’s alongside the orange dessert. I’ll gladly mail you the recipe of the bread and butter pudding if you’re happy winging it. There isn’t a recipe on paper and the dessert sort of just happens until it looks right. Let me know if that’s adequate and I’ll get cracking.

Dee and Muequita, where are you originally from?

Nice outfit choice, Joy!

Marianne, I don’t like “tofu fake meat” either, but I love pukka tofu. I grew up on it in Hong Kong. My late Mum use to give it to us as a snack, gently salted with a cup of milk on the side. I much prefer the sound of those hearty veggie dishes instead!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Angie, that "recipe" sounds great! I'll enlist Brendan's help--he loves messing with and testing recipes anyway. It will be like a pudding scavenger hunt--it will be a mystery until it's done!

Violet

Angie, your dessert sounds divine!

We are celebrating at my sister-in-law's house. On my side of the family it is just my parents and brother. The rest of my family is in India, so growing up Thanksgiving was always a small event.

But on my husband's side of the family, he has three other siblings and around 10 nieces and nephews, so TG is now a very big event. My family joins us at my sister-in-law's house along with close friends and others that may not have anywhere to go.

I love TG, and I'm glad to see others do too. It is my favorite holiday.

As for food, we will be having turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and various side dishes. My mom is also bringing an Indian dish called biriyani, which is like a chicken and rice casserole. My American in-laws love Indian food, so that is always a hit.

There are usually around 6-8 pies as well. We eat at around 1 PM and then hang out all day and then eat some more for dinner.

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