Whether you’ve been married for years or this is your first time meeting her parents, what you wear to your family’s Thanksgiving dinner is very important. (No stress!) You don't want to overdo it, but you also don't want to look like you've dressed specifically to consume multiple servings of mac n’ cheese, and no one likes that guy. And then there's the risk of offending Grandma Myrtle’s delicate sensibilities.
So we understand if you are a little confused right now. After all, how do you dress to impress your lady and her entire extended family in one outfit? To answer that question, we went straight to the source. Last year, we surveyed all the women we know (and all the women they know) to find out what makes the perfect Thanksgiving fit. Below you’ll find what they thought you should wear, what they definitely didn't want you to wear, and why.
Women loved the simple “middle of the road” vibe of this outfit.
“It’s classic and comfortable. Take the conversation away from your outfit and to the table. You could also probably catch a football in the front yard in this.”
“Collared shirts for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Passover, etc. You only have a few times a year to look nice in front of your grandma.”
“It’s simple, easy to pack, and respectfully dressy without being over the top. The outfit allows for eating, throwing the football around, and helping clean up after without worrying about too much muss on the clothes.”
“It’s pretty basic but I think that’s the best kind of outfit for Thanksgiving. Show up, look nice, and put together, don’t give the uncles anything to mock.”
But they were less impressed by this outfit’s Western inspiration and accessories.
“I think A is the safer choice, but I like the cowboy vibes of B.”
“If a man wore a hat or vest to my family’s Thanksgiving, he’d get laughed out of the house.”
“Too hip/Western for my Midwestern family.”
“What are those accessories tho?”
“It takes a lot of confidence to pull off this outfit. And if this guy feels the need to wear a hat AND bandana to Thanksgiving dinner, I don’t know if he’s got that confidence.”
This one came off as too dressed-up for most of the women surveyed.
“A man who wears this outfit definitely is going to ask your dad for permission to marry you and then will insist that you never make more money than he does.”
“A blazer? Get. Out. Of. Town.”
“Well-polished but also relaxed.”
“Thanksgiving is about family time. It’s not a gala, it’s a gathering. I wouldn’t want to eat with someone who would freak out over a gravy spill.”
And according to almost every woman who answered the survey: You should not wear sweats to Thanksgiving.
“Looks like he’s going to the gym. I would dress nicely for his family, he should do the same. Look like you made some effort!”
“I don’t care what brand they are, sweatpants aren’t suitable for a gathering where grandma’s in attendance. Caveat: If the whole family is known to wear attire with adjustable waistbands.”
“It’s too try-hard at saying 'I didn’t try too hard.'"
“It’s the most casual, and we are a very casual clan. Also I think the camo would score easy points with my dad.”
The all-black Justin Theroux look got mixed reviews.
“Not too preppy, not too casual.”
“Too slick.”
“I think my ex wore this exact outfit to Thanksgiving two years ago actually. I hate my ex, but I don’t mind this fit.”
“Sexy.”
“Looks like he’s going clubbing in West Hollywood.”
And surprise surprise, most ladies aren’t down with a puffy vest or boat shoes.
“I can’t stand puffer vests!”
“It’s casual but still put together. Hanging out with family and watching football, you want to wear layers you can take off/on but still not look like a slob.”
“It’s so BRO.”
“Boat shoes just don’t have a place in my life. Hopefully my family would back me up on this if I asked them to.”
Turns out there’s a very good reason every man in America has this exact navy gingham shirt. Which is convenient: the woman in your life would like you to wear it to Thanksgiving.
