It’s November. Which means that I’m starting to scheme Thanksgiving outfits which will inevitably involve sweater dresses and/or turtlenecks. OR – gasp – turtleneck sweater dresses! #fistbump #toetouch #airguitar
I’m crazy like that. In all mah turtlenecks.
But Scotti was visiting and she, of the less turtleneck inclined, was all Please. For the love of all things stiletto, please. Please branch out. And Nordstrom had asked me to take a look at the latest from Free People (since our love of all things Free People is so well-documented at this point) which dovetails nicely with our collective love of All Things Flowy on Thanksgiving (or any day that ends in “-ay”) so…yes. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to expand my sartorial November horizons.
(For the record, it’s a good thing I did not initially see this Free People turtleneck sweater dress. It would’ve halted all branching in its tracks.)
So. Here are a few comfy, yet totally on-point Thanksgiving outfit ideas that keep the turtleneck thing to a minimum:
1. Remember the Three F’s: Flares, Flow, and faux-Fur
It’s simple, really, this genius, go-to formula of Scotti’s: Flares to look tall (even post-turkey), Flowy tops for better feasting and Faux-Fur to be fancy. Done and done and done.
Outfit Details
Scotti – Free People Tree Swing Top (xs), Free People Flares (size 28), Topshop Faux Fur Vest (size 4), similar glitter bag and huge earrings, and a bunch of stackable bangles – I love this set or this one (buy a few of these sets)
Shana – Free People Modern Love Turtleneck Mini Dress (xs), Free People Chunky Knit Scarf, Free People Marquis Ankle (Sock) Boot
2. Get One Fabulous, Forgiving Dress (we LOVE this one)
The perfect Thanksgiving dress should be comfy and warm (but not too warm), forgiving on the pooch (who wears Spanx on Thanksgiving? NO ONE), stretchy enough to move (gotta be able to pick up and smooch those babies), and, in my opinion, dark and patterned, thereby disguising any spills.
Paisley is genius for this. And this Free People dress in particular, is insanely comfy, has pockets AND a turtleneck so OBVIOUSLY I love it. Almost like a sweater dress but a little bit fancier.
A few notes: I hemmed this dress several inches shorter. I do think it comes at a slightly awkward length (which might be perfect for tall gals). But even Scotti liked it short.
Outfit Details
Scotti – Free People Tree Swing Top (xs), Free People Flares (size 28), Topshop Faux Fur Vest (xs), similar boots, similar glitter bag and huge earrings, and a bunch of stackable bangles – I love this set or this one (buy a few of these sets)
Shana – Free People Modern Love Turtleneck Mini Dress (xs), Free People Chunky Knit Scarf, Free People Marquis Ankle (Sock) Boot
3. Faux-Leather Pants and Drapy Tops
I have a pair of faux-leather leggings, but sometimes they feel too much like pajamas for me to wear in a dressed-up situation. And when someone’s spent all day cooking, the least I can do is put on real pants. (Scotti, however, totally disagrees.) In any case, something we both agree on is that these faux-leather pants look surprisingly real IRL.
They’re brushed on the inside so they’re nice and soft and comfy to wear. But since they look so leather pant-like, the one downside is that they also feel a bit leather pant-like. You won’t be fooled into thinking you are wearing leggings – there’s a small restriction of movement (think jeans, rather than leggings).
But paired with some fabulously drapey knits, they’re a perfect option for Thanksgiving. (Northern mamas – they’re also totally wind-proof. Between the soft interior and oddly water-repellent exterior, these will be my go-tos on cold winter days.)
One note about the tops: they run HUGE. And the twisted gray cardigan that I’m wearing looks much better in real life. I would’ve cried real tears to find this in my post-partum/nursing phase. It was hard to photograph with all of the pumpkin nonsense. #neveragain
But it was all worth it for this pic of Scotti’s pumpkins. 100% REAL, baby.
Outfit Details
Scotti – Free People Tree Swing Sleeveless Top (xs), Free People Faux-Leather Leggings (size 6), Free People Chunky Knit Scarf (xs), similar boots, similar huge earrings, and a bunch of stackable bangles – I love this set or this one (buy a few of these sets to recreate the look)
Shana – Free People Long Beach tank (xs), Free People Drapy Wrap Front Top (xs), Free People Faux-Leather Leggings (size 0), Vince Claire pumps, similar necklace
Of course, if faux-leather leggings or jeans are still too constricting for Thanksgiving…why not these Free People metallic sweater flare pants? No, this is not a joke. These are real, um, things. (I hesitate to call them pants.) I keep giggling at them….but sweater pants? Flared metallic sweater pants? I’m tempted to try. However, I think this Fringe Sweater Skirt might be a better option. It’s theoretically a midi skirt, but would probably be maxi length on me. I love the high slit up the sides and it would look so cute with a comfy sweater thrown over.
What else do you guys want to see for Thanksgiving outfit ideas? Do you typically dress up fancy, or are you more of a Thankgiving-means-sweatpants kind of gal? (And what I really want to hear is that you guys are DYING for a sweater dress roundup with lots and lots of turtlenecks….)
xo,
S
A huge thank-you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. We’re always looking for pieces that can do double duty (real dates and and playdates) and Free People does this so well. As always, all thoughts, opinions, and product choices are completely our own. Thank you for supporting the retailers who support The Mom Edit. It doesn’t go un-noticed, and is so appreciated.
