How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: Seven Outfit Ideas for Every Situation

Whether you are traveling, eating, hiding, or pretending, here’s your guide to dressing for Thanksgiving this year.

A collage of various fashion items and accessories, including jackets, shoes, a hat, jeans, a sweater, and a handheld gaming device.
Complex

Everyone shows up to Thanksgiving with a role. Some are chosen. Some are assigned against their will. But it’s what makes the day interesting.

There's the traveler who’s been up since 4 a.m. fighting though traffic and airport crowds; the ones meeting their significant other’s family for the first time; the rich auntie who always has the best things; the cousin you’ve been in competition with since birth; the ones who couldn’t care less about the food or family drama and just want to watch the game; the opposite, who is only there for the food; and the ones riding solo who would like to avoid a lecture about their life choices.

No matter which role you have this year, here’s how to dress the part. This is How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: Seven Outfit Ideas for Every Situation.

How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: The Traveler

Perplex Zip Hoodie, $173.31
Perplex Trackpants, $115.54
The North Face Base Camp Duffle, $149
Worst Case Chrome Fleur Mules, $55
Adidem Asterisk Cursive Script Beanie, $65
Nothing Headphone (1), $299
Hyper Mega Tech Super Pocket, $59.99

Long drives. TSA lines. Keeping up with family group chats. Thanksgiving travel is its own sport. The goal is to get through the journey as comfortably and efficiently as possible. A clean sweatsuit is a no-brainer. Pair it with some mules that you can slip in and out of at security, and a trusty duffle bag that will fit everything you need. Don’t forget your noise-cancelling headphones so you don’t get stuck alone with your thoughts and a handheld game console that fits in your pocket for when the boredom hits. Consider this your new travel outfit formula for every trip after this. —Shinnie Park

How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: The First Impression

Krost Wool Combo Coat, $350
Chemist Creations Phoenix's Cable-knit Sweater, $155
Pro Club Men's Heavyweight Cotton Short Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt, $9.95
Diallo Selvedge Wide Leg Denim, $395
Duke + Dexter Wilde Penny Loafers, $320
Timex Automatic 1983 E Watch, $259
Paul Smith Stripe Socks, $30
Museum Apotheker Artifact_0001 Candle, $110

Meeting your significant other’s family for the very first time is already nerve wracking. Don’t make things even harder for yourself by showing up in a sweatsuit without a fresh shave. A clean outfit can do wonders for your confidence. We aren’t saying that you need to rent a tux. That might actually be even worse. Remember, comfort is still key here. Just make sure you’re put together. A neutral-colored sweater, some indigo denim, and a clean pair of loafers make for the perfect Thanksgiving outfit. No need to get too flashy. For some extra brownie points, bring a small gift like a candle or a pie for the dessert table. By the team you leave, their folks will be begging you to come back for Christmas dinner. —Mike DeStefano

How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: Rich Auntie

Burberry Elingham Car Coat, $3,150
COS Belt-detail Merino Wool Funnel-neck Dress, $229
Jil Sander Ring Ballerina, $990
Bottega Veneta Medium Veneta Bag, $5,500
Maple Duppy Signet Ring, $415.40
Jacques Marie Mage Holden Glasses, $960
Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady 50ml, $295

A rich auntie’s job is not to bring the food, but to serve up some Thanksgiving style. She pulls up in a Burberry coat and a simple-yet-refined dress, leaving a trail of (expensive) perfume every time she walks by. Nothing she wears is flashy or plastered in logos, but everything is luxurious. Even her glasses and jewelry ooze opulence. She gives the warmest hugs with a glass of red wine already in hand. Catch her chatting with her sister in the kitchen about her most recent travels to St. Barts. —Shinnie Park

How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: Outdress that Cousin

Thug Club Soldier Trench Coat, $1,081.82
Askyurself Boucle Knit Jersey Sweatshirt, $219.52
Uniforum Wide Leg Denim, $89.99
Timberland Emerald Green Superboot, $280
Krost Wool Scarf, $130
Maple Sherman Signet, $384.76
Bstroy Psycho Socks, $30
Ssstufff Checked Shirtsleeve Bag Pro, $129

Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to remind everyone in the room that you are, without question, the flyest in the family. If you’re not prioritizing comfort or coziness, and you see the living room as your personal runway, this is for you.

First things first: you need a statement piece. Nothing says “I’ve arrived” like a loud trench coat. Since the drama is in the jacket, balance the look with a classic pair of wide-leg denim. Pair that with a clean boucle knit jersey, a timeless silver ring, and the Ssstufff Checked Shirtsleeve Bag for a perfectly curated “yeah, I did that” fit your cousin won’t stop staring at all night.

Elevate the entire look with the Timberland Emerald Green Superboot. It’s not your everyday Six-Inch Timb. It's a bold upgrade.

Remind your family how thankful they should be to have such a fly ass family member. —Breeana Walker

How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: Just Here For the Game

New Era Bengals Oversized 59Fifty Fitted, $49.99
Nahmias Miracle Academy x NFL Bengals Hoodie, $215
Berlinc The Everydays Baggy Jeans, $145
Asics Gel-Kayano 14, $150

Whether you’re locked in for your favorite team, your latest parlay, or your must-win fantasy matchup, nothing beats parking on the couch for the slate of NFL football on Thanksgiving. Even if you’re going to be glued to the TV, it’s probably best to leave the throwback jerseys in the closet. You can still rep your squad, though. Try a logo hoodie, T-shirt, or crewneck. They’re just a bit more presentable for a big family gathering. —Mike DeStefano

How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: Just Here For the Food

Lost Files Northern Lights Reversible Fleece Jacket, $189
Market Folk Fitted Bear T-Shirt, $45
Puppet Theater Sports Bottom, $121.80
Crocs x Dinyun Zhang Diffuser Bis, $85
Uprisers Lunch Box, $40

Your priorities are eating, seconds, and leftovers. So, comfort is the only dress code. You keep it cozy with a plush fleece, graphic tee, and some track pants with an elasticated waistband for maximum expansion. Throw on some Crocs and you’ll be ready for when the food coma hits. There's no need to borrow Tupperware when the night ends because you already came prepared with your own lunch box to take leftovers home. —Shinnie Park

How to Style Thanksgiving 2025: Still Single

Acne Studios Double Breasted Leather Jacket, $2,900
Ottolinger Deconstructed Longsleeve Maxi Dress, $454
Skims Fits Everybody Cami Bodysuit, $60
Miista Shelley Boots, $630
Bane Industries Venom Sunglasses, $57
For Those Who Sin Dead Man Walking Earrings, $115
Aest Studios Capture Large Baguette Bag, $246

Showing up to Thanksgiving solo can feel like stepping into a press conference you never agreed to. As soon as you walk in, you’re bombarded with questions from your parents, aunts, and uncles. Your job, your savings—all things you don’t have a definite answer for. A dark, moody outfit can help send a clear message that it is not open office hours and you’d like to enjoy dinner in peace. Sure, it’s not the most family-friendly outfit, but who cares? You’re single and free. And if anyone asks about your dating life, just tell them you have standards (and that you might even be a rich auntie in the making). —Shinnie Park

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App