What To Wear on Thanksgiving: 16 Guys' Outfit Ideas

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Have I ever told you Thanksgiving used to be my favorite holiday?

Things changed a few years back when a bout of nasty food poisoning from something I ate earlier in the day hit right after supper and sidelined me for 48 hours straight through the holiday weekend.

I still can’t look at a roasted turkey without gagging.

Despite this newly-developed aversion to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, I still love the whole day. Enjoying time with family, drinking good wine, and watching parades, football, and (finally) listening to Christmas music.

As for what to wear on Thanksgiving? That depends on your plans.

To help you along, Team SG pulled together outfit ideas for gatherings big and small this holiday season.

Below, 15 stylish Thanksgiving outfit ideas:

Thanksgiving outfit #1 Sweater Vest with Loafers

stylish man wearing houndstooth v-neck sweater vest over white t-shirt with dark pants and brown loafers — @calgeary

SG Says: We’ve made our stance clear on a man in a sweater vest. We’re for it, and we wish more men would slip one on.

Why not use a festive family holiday as an excuse to try one for yourself?

Thanksgiving outfit #2 A Textured Sweater

stylish man wearing light blue cable-knit sweater with pleated light pants and black lace-up leather shoes — @bbo9ni

SG Says: You can’t go wrong with a cable-knit sweater at the holidays.

Shake things up by wearing one in a non-traditional cold weather color, like baby blue.

Thanksgiving outfit #3 Plaid Overshirt

smiling man wearing a red and green plaid overshirt over a lightly patterned blue collared shirt with blue pants and green lace-up sneakers — @jms_hrvy_fits

SG Says: Look merry and bright in a plaid shirt decked out in reds and greens.

Thanksgiving outfit #4 Denim Work Jacket

stylish man wearing a baseball cap, blue chore coat, brown pants, and brown New Balance sneakers — @kennth_sylvester

SG Says: When it comes to the cold weather months, a chore coat can almost always be called up. This one in denim offers something a little different, and looks good on its own, buttoned all the way up.

Thanksgiving outfit #5 Black on black

stylish man wearing a red baseball cap, black shirt and black pants, with a tan coat with four front pockets — @toneloki

SG Says: Here at SG HQ, you know we lo-o-o-o-ve a monochrome outfit.

Wearing one color like black (even in slightly different shades!) from head to toe elevates the simplest outfit into something that feels special.

The black shirt and pleated pants say, “I get that this is a special day,” while the khaki-colored jacket and baseball hat add, “…but I will be hitting the couch as soon as I arrive.”

Thanksgiving outfit #6 Holiday Colors

stylish man wearing a burgundy long-sleeve knit polo with green pants and brown lace-up shoes — images: @efe.efeturi

stylish man wearing a plaid topcoat over a burgundy long-sleeve knit polo with green pants and brown lace-up shoes — images: @efe.efeturi

SG Says: More festive dressing! This time, corduroy pants in fir tree green, paired with a long-sleeve knit polo that gives us a hankering for mulled wine.

Ready to start your holiday wish list? Check out SG’s 2024 holiday gift guides

Thanksgiving outfit #7 Sweater with Sneakers

stylish man sitting outside drinking a coffee, wearing sunglasses, a crewneck brown sweater, cream-colored jeans, and green Adidas sneakers — @streetandgentle

SG Says: If sneakers don’t violate the dress code at your Thanksgiving dinner, make sure your pair still feels festive by opting for a style in a holiday color.

Thanksgiving outfit #8 A Modern Spin on a Suit

actor Josh O'Connor at a movie premiere wearing a black double-breasted suit with a white collared shirt — Josh O’Connor // image: @justjared

SG Says: If dressing up for your Thanksgiving meal is on the menu, a suit sans tie could be the way to go.

This double-breasted look feels super-fresh and modern when worn sans tie and crisp white shirt.

Thanksgiving outfit #9 A Cozy Overshirt

man standing outside wearing a blue patterned overshirt over a chambray shirt with tan chinos and brown lace-up shoes — @out_of_indigo

SG Says: We put the question of dress code out on Instagram and heard from a lot of you that your family Thanksgiving festivities include a middle-of-the-road level of fanciness.

Nobody’s in a tux, but no one’s in sweats, either.

For that type of gathering, a great shirt jacket fits the bill.

You’re comfortable in your clothes but still feel like you’re in a “special occasion” outfit.

Shop statement shackets

Thanksgiving outfit #10 A Colorful Cardigan

stylish man wearing a yellow letterman cardigan over a white oxford shirt with light wash jeans and brown Wallabee boots, outfit idea for what to wear on thanksgiving — images: @alino_who

man from the waist down wearing light wash jeans with brown wallabee boots standing among leaves — images: @alino_who

SG Says: When it comes to what to wear on Thanksgiving, cardigan in a cheery color is sure to impress friends and family. Finish the look off with Wallabee boots to feel comfortable and look on-trend.

Thanksgiving outfit #11 Fair Isle Style

stylish man standing outside wearing a Fair Isle sweater vest over a white Oxford shirt with olive green pleated chinos and black loafers — @gentle_baek

SG Says: In the height of fall, you can’t go wrong in a Fair Isle sweater vest, dress pants, and a nice pair of loafers.

Simple. Sophisticated. Done.

Now, is an outfit like this going to blow anyone’s minds?

Maybe not, but that’s okay. You want folks focusing on how great that turkey-shaped charcuterie board you made is anyway.

Shop Fair Isle

Thanksgiving outfit #12 Off-the-Clock Business Casual

stylish man wearing a navy sportcoat over a chambray shirt with blue jeans and a black belt, outfit idea for what to wear on thanksgiving — @jpressclothiers

SG Says: I love everything about this outfit, pinched from the J.Press x Buck Mason collab lookbook. From the loafers to the wool blazer, all the Ivy-inspired staples would fit in nicely at this year’s Thanksgiving table.

Thanksgiving outfit #13 Rugby Shirt

stylish man wearing a rugby shirt with a denim jacket and tan chinos with a brown leather braided belt and brown loafers — @bchanism

SG Says: A rugby shirt feels just right for Thanksgiving. Nicer than showing up in a long-sleeve tee, but just as comfortable.

The rest of the look—sockless loafers, crisply pressed chinos—I’ll bet you already have at home. Making this an easy outfit to replicate this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving outfit #14 Add an Unexpected Accessory (or Two!)

stylish man wearing a patterned cardigan over a blue t-shirt with camo print joggers and red sneakers — @salehebembury

SG Says: Don’t feel like there’s one “right” thing to wear on Thanksgiving. This is a great opportunity to express your personal style, and if your personal style involves using all the colors in your crayon box, go for it! The family pictures will be brighter and bolder for you being in them.

Ultimately, what’s perfect for Thanksgiving dinner is what feels perfectly you. Just be sure to take the hat off before you sit down at the table

Thanksgiving outfit #15 Dressed-Down Comfort

stylish older man wearing an army green overshirt with a white henley, blue jeans, and brown loafers — @alessandrosquarzi

SG Says: If you’re the one hosting, what to wear on Thanksgiving is up to you! Feel free to keep things casual with your favorite pair of jeans and a pair of lived-in loafers.

Under the jacket, opt for a cozy henley or crewneck sweater.