If you're hosting Thanksgiving... - YouLookFab Forum

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If you're hosting Thanksgiving...

marianna

Veteran

If you're hosting Thanksgiving, what do you wear? Do you dress a bit more comfortable/casual, or do you wear the same thing you'd wear if you were a guest?

I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year for the first time in our new house, and I'm stumped. And what about shoes? I don't usually wear outdoor shoes at home... (I'm a newbie to hosting anything!)

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Joy

Veteran

I wear something with 3/4 sleeves or shorter and a bib apron over the rest. When I take off the apron for dinner, I add a festive topper. This year is fairly casual and cold with a 90% chance of snow. I'm planning a column of deep berry...knit top, colored jeans and Smart wool socks. I will add a festive deep berry wool and mohair cardigan with scattered berry sequins.
Have a change of clothes ready just in case. Soft smoking slippers would be ideal.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

For the food prep part, I'd wear clothes I don't mind spilling on. Then change about 30-60 minutes before the first guest is due to arrive, and put an apron on over my outfit.

If people come early, just say, "hey, I'm going to go get changed", and do so.

How fancy is this gathering? We're very casual in my family, so I'd probably wear skinny jeans or pants, a pretty, festive top, and some pretty flats that I can move around quickly and easily in, because you're going to do a lot of last-minute jumping up and down.

Stuff that's easy to move around in, and stuff that lets you eat to your heart's content without feeling restricted too much by clothing!

ETA: we usually do Thanksgiving in Florida, so I left out a festive topper, which I would do in a colder climate for sure.

Dana

(website)

Veteran

I have a very small family so things are usually pretty casual, but we always make an attempt to look nice. I usually wear leggings and a lightweight top for cooking with a fun apron. Then right before dinner, I'll pop on a sweater.

I don't really do shoes at home either. A few years back, i bought some brightly colored-kind of ethnic looking embroidered slippers to wear for home entertaining, but they ended up being a little small and never wore them. You could also wear a little ballet flat. When it's my family, I wear my slippers, lol!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You saw what I will be wearing yesterday - and I am hosting. Comfy, dressy and vibrant. And doing almost all the cooking today - making a huge South African spread.

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Beth

Veteran

I wear play clothes while I'm in the kitchen, and change just before guests arrive.

Beth Ann

Veteran

For my first Holiday capsule, I purchased a pair of smoking slipper shaped flats -- actual shoes, not slippers, for wearing in peoples homes and in home parties. That whole season, I only wore them indoors, so I could avoid tracking in peoples homes, but not have naked feet. I now wear them throughout the year, out and about.

I think Angie posted a pair of leopard print smoking flats in the blog recently, those might be great for hosting, and would go nicely with your style. Of course, I know finding shoes is a full time job for you!

I need to purchase a nice apron before I host (or make one). Like Joy, I favor 3/4 length sleeves, and sometimes add a topper after I finish cooking. Everyone is casual these days, and I don't have a formal dining room, but for Christmas I'll be wearing a black lace top over skinnies, with the shoes I posted below!

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JAileen

Veteran

I'm cooking at a family member's house. No aprons!!! I'm thinking of going to the store and buying one. I didn't bring any junky clothes and don't want to spill on anything I brought.

We don't wear outside shoes in our house, and a few years ago we gave a big party and I was in a quandry as to shoewear. My slippers didn't seem right. I bought a pair of ballet flats for the party, and thought my outfit looked fine.

Aida

Veteran

We host a big Friendsgiving annually, and rotate years to host various family Thanksgivings. I wear the same things I would wear as a guest (for friends smart-casual, and a little dressier for family), though when hosting I do opt for elbow length sleeves and lighter weight fabrics because it gets quite warm scuttling around. A lot of prep is done before anyone shows up, and for that I wear normal casual weekend clothes and then I change closer to when people would show up; if anyone gets there early, they get to see me in weekend clothes until I'm ready to change

As for shoes, since I'll be needing to pop outside to check on the smoker or go into the garage I always wear shoes. And some years we'll also have the fire pit, hot tub, or outdoor heaters going so we usually end up spending a good chunk of time outside making shoes necessary. If it's rainy/snowy I'll keep a pair of boots by the back door and pop off my flats when I need to go outside. Normally we don't wear shoes in the house, but when guests are over they are free to wear theirs if they choose. It's usually a mix of shoes on and shoes off! I often keep a few extra pairs of slippers out for guests, if they want to go that route.

EDIT: Thought I'd mention what I'm planning to wear this year! Going to use Angie's plaid holiday formula: cream/red plaid shirt with sleeves rolled up and left untucked (similar to find) over black waxed skinny jeans and either studded blush pointy flats or gold smoking slipper flats (similar to find). For the more formal family dinners on Thursday I'll be wearing a dressy blouse instead of the plaid shirt.

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Jjsloane

Veteran

I cook in casual wear, but change into something more festive and dressy before guests arrive like others. I wear an apron up to dinner time.
It can still be hot getting out all the food so nothing too warm. This year I'm wearing my favorite J Crew print front sweater, a navy pleated sweater knit midi skirt and bejewelled flats. Probably add some blingy earrings because I don't feel festive without sparkle!

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Isabel

Veteran

I host 3 big holiday dinners a year. I wear smoking slippers for the winter ones. Mine are black quilted with a little gold design.

I don't wear what I normally would as a guest. I tend to go sleeveless with a shrug for after I am done running around. I do jewel it up though. Nothing like a big, shiny pair of earrings. Nothing on my arms.

Have fun !!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

These last couple of years I have been dressing very casually for t-giving because we're hosting on a cattle ranch in Texas, in an area where people barely ever dress up beyond wearing a new pair of jeans with their camo or flannel. I will wear dark wash skinny jeans, a nice, patterned top, and my black Chelsea booties. It would be an everyday outfit at home, but it actually seems more dressed up here. Last year I wore a sparkly metallic top and felt quite flashy.

Echo

Veteran

I am hosting, but it is for family. They will not be dressing up, and I will be going with nice but comfortable. I will be wearing slim black pants and a black top with foil stripes and 3/4 length sleeves. I will likely just wear black socks or soft sole dance shoes in the house. I love the smoking slipper idea, but I just cannot be comfortable wearing "real" shoes in house.

Debbie

Veteran

I am hosting and most of the prep was done today. It is going to pretty casual since it is going to be quite warm (74) and rainy. I am going to wear Angie's plaid shirt ensemble. Shoes I am not sure of yet.
Whatever you wear have fun hosting on your new house!

marianna

Veteran

Thanks for all the wisdom! I was probably overthinking it. Haven't decided what I'm wearing yet, but my family is semi casual so I really have no reason to stress about my outfit! I'm thinking I want to incorporate fall colors into my outfit... maybe something orangey. I'll decide in a few hours.

Also now thinking I should buy some festive flats devoted to indoor hosting. I like that idea. I hate wearing my outdoor shoes at home... but floors are washable after all!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Whatever you wear, make sure you wear a 50s-style apron to match your midcentury modern house! And, Happy Thanksgiving!

rachylou

Veteran

Interesting question. If I'm cooking, I don't dress. It's jeggings. I may plan to, but then I'll give up on that idea. I also always wear closed shoes to cook, never slippers. That may come from working in a bakery. Safety rules and all. I mean, I'm just the sort. Jeez, mistook my finger almost this morning cutting the sweet potatoes and apples...

catgirl

Veteran

I'm hosting. Planning to wear something washable and comfortable (KIDS) but with a blingy necklace, and put on some extra eye sparkle. Sadly had to work a few hours this morning - I wore leggings and a tunic dress to stumble in at 6 am.