Thanksgiving is the one holiday where comfort matters as much as looking nice. You'll sit for a long meal, get up to help in the kitchen, maybe sit on the floor with the grandchildren and still want to look good in the family photo. The best Thanksgiving outfits for women do all of that: a top that is soft and has some stretch, a warm color near the face, and bottoms you can actually eat in. This guide covers what to wear for each kind of Thanksgiving, the colors that work in autumn light, what to wear if you're hosting, and how to pack if you're traveling. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, 26 November this year.

Start with where you're eating

A Thanksgiving dress code is set by the table, not the calendar. Dinner at a relative's house with the football on is relaxed: jeans are fine. A restaurant meal or a host who sets the table with linen and candles calls for trousers or a skirt. If you aren't sure, choose a nicer top with dark jeans or trousers and bring a cardigan. You can always take a layer off, and a good top does most of the work.

The comfortable Thanksgiving outfit: a tunic and leggings

If one outfit is made for Thanksgiving, this is it. A hip-length tunic over leggings or slim pull-on trousers skims the waist instead of hugging it, so it is as comfortable at the pie as it was at the turkey. Look for a V-neck to frame the face, three-quarter sleeves that stay out of the gravy, and a knit fabric with stretch rather than a stiff woven shirt. Add ankle boots and a long necklace and the outfit looks deliberate, not like you dressed for the couch.

Our Sandra V-neck tunic was made for exactly this. It comes in black, navy, pearl, red, coral and pinks, and every one of them can be seen together in The Tunic Edit. For more on fit and length, read our tunic clothing guide.

Juliet jewel neckRed · XS–XL · $99A long-sleeve red that looks dressed up with jeans or trousers.Jackie turtleneckRed · XS–XL · $105Warm and close to the neck for a chilly drive or a walk after dinner.Sandra V-neck tunicBlack · XS–L · $112Hip-length, skims rather than clings. Wear it over leggings.Deborah V-neckConstant Coral · XS, M, L, XL · $94A warm coral that brightens the face in candlelight and photos.

Thanksgiving outfit ideas

1. Red and denim. A red long-sleeve jewel neck, dark straight jeans, brown ankle boots and gold earrings. Easy, cheerful and right for almost any family dinner.

2. The tunic and leggings. A black or coral V-neck tunic over black leggings, a patterned scarf and flat boots. The most comfortable outfit on this list.

3. The dressier table. A black boatneck top with wide-leg trousers, a camel blazer and a low heel. Take the blazer off once the room warms up.

4. The warm turtleneck. A red or cream turtleneck with a midi skirt, tights and knee boots. Good for a cold drive or a walk after dinner.

5. The relaxed Friendsgiving. A natural or pearl V-neck with jeans, a long cardigan and clean white sneakers.

Colors that work for Thanksgiving

Autumn light and candlelight are warm, so warm colors look their best. Red, deep pink, coral, burgundy and chocolate all photograph well and feel seasonal without looking like a costume. If you prefer neutrals, navy, black and cream are always right. Keep the warm color near your face, where it brightens skin, and let darker pieces do the rest. Skip anything with a big seasonal print unless that is the kind of family you have; a solid color in a good fabric ages better in the photos.

What to wear if you're hosting

The host's outfit has to survive the kitchen. Choose a top that goes in the washing machine, sleeves you can push up, and flat shoes you can stand in for hours. Our tops are a microfiber and spandex knit that can be washed and worn without an iron, so a splash of stock is not a disaster. Many hosts cook in one top and change into a fresh one just before guests arrive; keep the second one hanging in the bedroom, ready to go.

What to wear to Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant

A restaurant meal usually leans a little dressier. Wear trousers or a skirt rather than jeans, a top in a rich solid color, and a blazer or a fine cardigan. A dark dress with tights and boots works too. Keep jewelry simple; one pair of good earrings is enough.

Traveling for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, so pack light and pack pieces that don't crease. Two or three knit tops, one pair of dark trousers, one pair of jeans, a long cardigan and one pair of boots cover the drive or flight, the dinner and the day after. Choose tops in colors that all work with the same bottoms. Our tops roll up small in a carry-on and come out ready to wear. For more ideas, see our guide to women's travel clothing.

Sandra V-neck tunicConstant Coral · XS, S, M · $112The tunic in an autumn color for the family table.Juliet jewel neckNavy · XS–XL · $99Navy reads as dressy as black and pairs with every fall scarf.Deborah V-neckNatural · XS–XL · $94A soft neutral for a relaxed Friendsgiving with jeans and boots.Sabrina boatneckBlack · XS–XL · $94The top for the dressier dinner, under a blazer or on its own.

Thanksgiving outfits for women over 50

The same rules apply at every age, but comfort and coverage often matter more. Three-quarter or long sleeves, a V-neck or jewel neck that frames the face, and a top that skims instead of clings will look good from the moment you arrive to the last slice of pie. A tunic over leggings is flattering on most figures. Color near the face does more than any embellishment, so choose a warm red, coral or pink top and keep the rest simple.

Planning further ahead? Our holiday party outfits guide covers the office party, cocktail parties and New Year's Eve, and our smart casual guide covers what to wear when an invitation says "smart casual."

Thanksgiving outfit questions, answered

What should I wear to Thanksgiving dinner?

A comfortable but put-together outfit: a long or three-quarter sleeve top in a warm color with dark jeans or trousers, or a tunic over leggings. Add a cardigan or blazer for a dressier table and choose shoes you can stand in.

What colors should I wear for Thanksgiving?

Warm, rich colors look best in autumn light: red, deep pink, coral, burgundy and chocolate, along with navy, black, cream and camel. One warm color near the face, with neutrals below, is the easiest formula.

Can I wear jeans to Thanksgiving?

Yes, for most family dinners and Friendsgivings. Choose dark, clean jeans and dress them up with a nicer top and boots or loafers. For a restaurant or a dressier home, trousers or a skirt are safer.

What is a comfortable outfit for Thanksgiving dinner?

A hip-length tunic over leggings or pull-on trousers. It skims over the waist, moves with you and still looks finished. Knit fabrics with stretch are more comfortable for a long meal than woven blouses.

What should I wear if I am hosting Thanksgiving?

Something washable with sleeves you can push up, comfortable flats and a top you can change into before guests arrive if the kitchen gets messy. A knit that does not need ironing saves time on the day.

What should I pack to travel for Thanksgiving?

Two or three wrinkle-free knit tops that work with one pair of dark trousers and one pair of jeans, a long cardigan and one pair of boots. Every piece should match every other piece.