Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 26 November this year, and the dress code is almost always the same unspoken one: nicer than a hoodie, more relaxed than a suit. The ideal Thanksgiving outfit men can wear all day has to survive a long meal, a bit of cooking, maybe a football game on the sofa and a family photo. Smart casual is the answer, and the building blocks are simpler than most people think: a collared shirt or polo, a knit layer and a clean pair of trousers.
A quick disclaimer. House of Portofino is an independent reseller and not an official dealer for Polo Ralph Lauren or any other brand we list. We are not affiliated with or authorized by them. Brand names appear only to describe the products on each page.
The Thanksgiving outfit men actually wear: three rules
-
Dress one notch above your usual. If you normally wear T-shirts, wear a polo. If you wear polos, wear an Oxford shirt.
-
Layer, because the room temperature changes. Kitchens are warm, entrance halls are not, and the walk to the car is cold.
-
Keep the colors calm. Navy, gray, cream, olive and burgundy photograph well in a family setting and do not show a spill as much as white does.
Option one: the Oxford shirt and a ribbed knit
The Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Oxford Shirt with Long Sleeves is a classic Oxford with long sleeves, a traditional collar, a front button closure and buttoned cuffs. The page describes it as suitable for casual and smart-casual styles, with the Polo Ralph Lauren logo detail. Colors listed are white, yellow, pink, green and dark blue, in sizes XS to L.
Wear it open at the collar, untucked or half-tucked, under a sweater. For the sweater, the Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Ribbed Sweater for Men is a ribbed knit described as timeless, with a subtle knit structure, and suitable for relaxed casual outfits or a more polished smart-casual look. It can be worn on its own or as an extra layer when it gets colder. The listed colors are black, white, beige, gray, light yellow, blue, navy and wine red, in sizes S to XL.
The outfit: a dark blue Oxford, a wine-red or gray ribbed sweater on top with the collar showing, dark chinos and brown shoes. That is a full Thanksgiving look without a single stiff piece.
Option two: the long-sleeve polo
Not everyone wants a button-down. The Polo Ralph Lauren Custom Fit Long Sleeve Polo with Embroidered Logo is described as a long-sleeve polo with the embroidered Pony logo on the chest, a Custom Fit cut, a classic polo collar, a partial button placket and ribbed cuffs. The page says it combines easily with jeans, chinos and smart casual trousers. Many colors are listed, among them black, white, light pink, light yellow, red, light blue, blue, dark green, wine red and navy, in sizes XS to L.
The long sleeve makes this a very comfortable piece for a long day, and it needs no ironing wizardry. It is also the easiest shirt to wear if you will be helping in the kitchen, because you can push the sleeves up without looking untidy.
The outfit: a dark green or navy long-sleeve polo, mid-grey trousers and clean white leather trainers. If the house is chilly, add a quarter-zip or a knit over the top.
Option three: a vest for the layering-minded
For a more outdoorsy Thanksgiving, with a pre-dinner walk or a football game in the backyard, a vest is useful. The Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Double-Knit Cotton Blend Bodywarmer with Full Zipper is a sleeveless double-knit cotton-blend vest with the embroidered Pony on the chest, a stand collar and a full front zip. The page also lists chest and side zip pockets, elastic armhole trims and an adjustable hem with a drawcord. It is offered in navy, black and light gray, and the sizes listed run from 2XS to M. If you wear a larger size, check the page before you plan an outfit around it.
Wear it over a long-sleeve polo or an Oxford shirt. It adds warmth to the core without making the sleeves bulky, and it comes off easily when you sit down at the table.
Putting a Thanksgiving outfit together: three full looks
The classic
Dark blue Oxford, gray ribbed sweater, navy chinos, brown leather shoes. This is the look that works for every kind of family.
The relaxed
Long-sleeve polo in navy, light gray vest on top, dark jeans, clean trainers. Good for homes where the day is more casual and active.
The sharp
White or light-blue Oxford, wine-red ribbed sweater over it, charcoal trousers, polished shoes. Ideal if you are hosting or meeting a partner's family for the first time.
Practical tips for the day
-
Do a sit-down test. Put the outfit on a day early, sit for ten minutes and check that nothing digs in around the waist.
-
Avoid very pale colors near the gravity. Or accept the risk, which is a perfectly valid choice.
-
Bring a spare layer. A quarter-zip or ribbed sweater in your bag covers most temperature surprises.
-
Check sizes early. If you are ordering for the day, do it with time to spare and read our delivery and returns pages for your country.
Browse more for the holiday season
Our Men Designer Resell collection has many more shirts, polos, knits, hoodies and layers. Each product page lists the colors and sizes that are offered, so you can build an outfit and check it before you order.
Shoes and the finishing touches
For footwear, choose something clean and closed: brown or black leather shoes, or minimal white trainers. Avoid anything that looks like gym wear. A plain leather belt that matches the shoes pulls the look together, and a simple watch is all the jewelery you need.
If you are traveling for the holiday, pick pieces that fold without creasing: knits and polos travel better than structured shirts, and an Oxford shirt can be pressed with a few minutes of steam on arrival.
If you are hosting
Hosts spend the day moving between the kitchen and the table. Choose a long-sleeve polo you can push up at the sleeves, keep the colors dark so that spills show less and leave the vest or knit on a chair for the moment you sit down to eat.
Colours that work in photographs
Family photos are part of the day, and some colors behave better than others. Navy, charcoal, dark green and burgundy look rich in most light. Very bright whites can blow out in a flash photo, and busy stripes can look noisy. If you are unsure, choose one solid color on top and keep the trousers a shade darker, so the picture shows a clean, calm silhouette.
FAQ
Is a polo shirt appropriate for Thanksgiving dinner?
For most families, yes. A polo is a step up from a T-shirt and fits the usual smart-casual tone. If the host has said "dress up", choose an Oxford shirt and a knit instead.
Should I wear a tie?
Only if the occasion asks for it. For a typical family Thanksgiving, an open collar with a knit or vest looks relaxed and neat.
What if I do not know the dress code?
Ask the host. If that is not possible, wear dark trousers, a collared shirt or polo, and bring a knit layer. You will be right for almost any version of the day.
Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas for Men: Smart Casual with Polos and Knits
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 26 November this year, and the dress code is almost always the same unspoken one: nicer than a hoodie, more relaxed than a suit. The ideal Thanksgiving outfit men can wear all day has to survive a long meal, a bit of cooking, maybe a football game on the sofa and a family photo. Smart casual is the answer, and the building blocks are simpler than most people think: a collared shirt or polo, a knit layer and a clean pair of trousers.
A quick disclaimer. House of Portofino is an independent reseller and not an official dealer for Polo Ralph Lauren or any other brand we list. We are not affiliated with or authorized by them. Brand names appear only to describe the products on each page.
The Thanksgiving outfit men actually wear: three rules
Option one: the Oxford shirt and a ribbed knit
The Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Oxford Shirt with Long Sleeves is a classic Oxford with long sleeves, a traditional collar, a front button closure and buttoned cuffs. The page describes it as suitable for casual and smart-casual styles, with the Polo Ralph Lauren logo detail. Colors listed are white, yellow, pink, green and dark blue, in sizes XS to L.
Wear it open at the collar, untucked or half-tucked, under a sweater. For the sweater, the Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Ribbed Sweater for Men is a ribbed knit described as timeless, with a subtle knit structure, and suitable for relaxed casual outfits or a more polished smart-casual look. It can be worn on its own or as an extra layer when it gets colder. The listed colors are black, white, beige, gray, light yellow, blue, navy and wine red, in sizes S to XL.
The outfit: a dark blue Oxford, a wine-red or gray ribbed sweater on top with the collar showing, dark chinos and brown shoes. That is a full Thanksgiving look without a single stiff piece.
Option two: the long-sleeve polo
Not everyone wants a button-down. The Polo Ralph Lauren Custom Fit Long Sleeve Polo with Embroidered Logo is described as a long-sleeve polo with the embroidered Pony logo on the chest, a Custom Fit cut, a classic polo collar, a partial button placket and ribbed cuffs. The page says it combines easily with jeans, chinos and smart casual trousers. Many colors are listed, among them black, white, light pink, light yellow, red, light blue, blue, dark green, wine red and navy, in sizes XS to L.
The long sleeve makes this a very comfortable piece for a long day, and it needs no ironing wizardry. It is also the easiest shirt to wear if you will be helping in the kitchen, because you can push the sleeves up without looking untidy.
The outfit: a dark green or navy long-sleeve polo, mid-grey trousers and clean white leather trainers. If the house is chilly, add a quarter-zip or a knit over the top.
Option three: a vest for the layering-minded
For a more outdoorsy Thanksgiving, with a pre-dinner walk or a football game in the backyard, a vest is useful. The Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Double-Knit Cotton Blend Bodywarmer with Full Zipper is a sleeveless double-knit cotton-blend vest with the embroidered Pony on the chest, a stand collar and a full front zip. The page also lists chest and side zip pockets, elastic armhole trims and an adjustable hem with a drawcord. It is offered in navy, black and light gray, and the sizes listed run from 2XS to M. If you wear a larger size, check the page before you plan an outfit around it.
Wear it over a long-sleeve polo or an Oxford shirt. It adds warmth to the core without making the sleeves bulky, and it comes off easily when you sit down at the table.
Putting a Thanksgiving outfit together: three full looks
The classic
Dark blue Oxford, gray ribbed sweater, navy chinos, brown leather shoes. This is the look that works for every kind of family.
The relaxed
Long-sleeve polo in navy, light gray vest on top, dark jeans, clean trainers. Good for homes where the day is more casual and active.
The sharp
White or light-blue Oxford, wine-red ribbed sweater over it, charcoal trousers, polished shoes. Ideal if you are hosting or meeting a partner's family for the first time.
Practical tips for the day
Browse more for the holiday season
Our Men Designer Resell collection has many more shirts, polos, knits, hoodies and layers. Each product page lists the colors and sizes that are offered, so you can build an outfit and check it before you order.
Shoes and the finishing touches
For footwear, choose something clean and closed: brown or black leather shoes, or minimal white trainers. Avoid anything that looks like gym wear. A plain leather belt that matches the shoes pulls the look together, and a simple watch is all the jewelery you need.
If you are traveling for the holiday, pick pieces that fold without creasing: knits and polos travel better than structured shirts, and an Oxford shirt can be pressed with a few minutes of steam on arrival.
If you are hosting
Hosts spend the day moving between the kitchen and the table. Choose a long-sleeve polo you can push up at the sleeves, keep the colors dark so that spills show less and leave the vest or knit on a chair for the moment you sit down to eat.
Colours that work in photographs
Family photos are part of the day, and some colors behave better than others. Navy, charcoal, dark green and burgundy look rich in most light. Very bright whites can blow out in a flash photo, and busy stripes can look noisy. If you are unsure, choose one solid color on top and keep the trousers a shade darker, so the picture shows a clean, calm silhouette.
FAQ
Is a polo shirt appropriate for Thanksgiving dinner?
For most families, yes. A polo is a step up from a T-shirt and fits the usual smart-casual tone. If the host has said "dress up", choose an Oxford shirt and a knit instead.
Should I wear a tie?
Only if the occasion asks for it. For a typical family Thanksgiving, an open collar with a knit or vest looks relaxed and neat.
What if I do not know the dress code?
Ask the host. If that is not possible, wear dark trousers, a collared shirt or polo, and bring a knit layer. You will be right for almost any version of the day.