This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, Heritage Mode Maison may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Friendsgiving outfit ideas only work if they survive the real evening: a plate balanced on your knee, a turn at the stove, and a second slice of pie on the sofa.
This isn’t the family table. If that’s the dinner you’re dressing for, I’ve already put together outfits for a more traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and they sit a notch more formal than anything here.
A good Friendsgiving outfit is one great knit, a waistband that forgives a long meal, and shoes you can slip off at the door.
Here are 18 looks I’d wear to a friend’s apartment. Most are casual, a few are dressier for an evening dinner party, and none will make you the overdressed one in the room.
1. Camel Cashmere Crewneck + Brown Wide-Leg Ponte Trousers + Dark Brown Loafers
Shop the Look
The Original Cashmere Crewneck Sweater Women’s (Camel)
$98 | Pure cashmere in a classic crewneck fit, in a camel that sits beautifully next to brown.
Ultra-Stretch Ponte Super Wide Leg Pants – 32″ inseam (Espresso)
$44.90 | An elastic pull-on waist and an extra-high rise make these the trousers you forget you’re wearing.
Women’s Whitney Weejuns Penny Loafer (Dark Choco)
$195 | Plain smooth leather on a leather sole: a penny loafer with nothing on it to date it.
Camel over deep brown is the easiest way to look like you tried without looking dressed up. The cashmere crewneck sits half-tucked into wide-leg ponte trousers, and dark dark brown penny loafers add the one bit of polish.
Those trousers pull on with an elastic waistband, which you’ll appreciate by the third course.
If you’re hosting, this is the outfit I’d pick without thinking twice.
2. Cream Cable-Knit Sweater + Dark Straight Jeans + Brown Suede Ankle Boots
Shop the Look
Low Gauge Cable Sweater (01 Off White)
$49.90 | Chunky low-gauge cables in a shorter, rounded cut that sits neatly over jeans without a tuck.
Marilyn Straight Jeans (Rinse)
$99 | Dark rinse denim with a supportive stretch waist, which is what you want for a long seated dinner.
Maribu Ankle Leather Booties (Brown Suede)
$149 | Suede softens the pointed toe, and the low block heel is steady on stairs with a dish in your hands.
A chunky cream cable knit does the work a blazer does at any other dinner, minus the stiffness. Dark rinse straight jeans keep it sharp, and brown suede ankle boots with a low block heel give you a little height.
If the boots are your favorite part, I’ve got more fall outfits built around ankle boots.
Dark denim and a great knit will always beat a dress you keep tugging at.
3. Wine Wrap Midi Dress + Brown Suede Knee Boots + Camel Coat
Shop the Look
Tencel Jersey Midi Wrap Dress (Wine)
$59.90 | Stretch Tencel jersey drapes like something far dressier, and the elbow sleeves stay out of your plate.
Kaisley Leather Knee High Boot (Dark Brown Suede)
$289 | The small kitten heel gives a knee boot some elegance without making you think about your feet.
Stephanie Wool Coat (Camel)
$248 | Every look on this list would go under a camel wool coat.
Jersey is the reason this dress belongs at a Friendsgiving and not a cocktail party. The wine wrap midi has elbow sleeves that stay clear of the serving dishes.
Dark brown suede knee boots with a small kitten heel ground it, and a thigh-length camel wool coat handles the walk over.
One soft dress is less effort than any two separates, and it shows.
4. Chocolate Silk Midi Skirt + Oatmeal Cashmere Crewneck + Brown Knee Boots
Shop the Look
100% Washable Silk Skirt (Hot Fudge)
$69.90 | Washable silk, which removes the one real argument against wearing silk to a potluck.
Mongolian Cashmere Boxy Crewneck Sweater (Oatmeal)
$82 | Boxy enough to sit loosely over a skirt waistband, and it’s 100% cashmere.
Cacie Knee High Boots (Dark Brown)
$89.99 | No hardware, a square toe and a covered block heel: a tall boot that stays out of the way.
Silk with a sweater is how you wear something dressy without announcing it. The chocolate brown midi skirt has a hidden elastic waist, and the boxy oatmeal cashmere crewneck sits loosely over the top of it.
Dark brown knee boots with a low block heel meet the hem.
Brown on brown on oatmeal is richer than any print.
5. Blue Striped Shirt + Charcoal Cardigan + Grey Flannel Trousers + Black Loafers
Shop the Look
Cotton Oversized Shirt | Striped (61 Blue)
$19.90 | All cotton and cut oversized, so the sleeves push up and stay up.
Northshore Cardigan (Charcoal)
$178 | Horn buttons and a cotton-wool knit make this the cardigan that looks better left open.
Hudson Pant in Wool Flannel (Heather Grey)
$195 | Wool flannel on a drawstring waist is the closest tailoring gets to sweatpants.
Manner Casual Leather Loafers (Black Leather)
$99 | Clean almond toe, slim sole, nothing shiny on it, which is exactly why it works.
Push the sleeves up and this is the best outfit here for whoever ends up at the stove. A pale blue striped oversized shirt sits under an open charcoal cardigan, with grey wool flannel trousers that pull on with a drawstring.
Black penny loafers finish it, and they come off in two seconds at a shoes-off house.
Grey flannel makes a striped shirt look deliberate instead of borrowed.
6. Olive Corduroy Trousers + Winter-White Turtleneck + Olive Quilted Jacket
Shop the Look
Belgravia Chunky Cord Pants (Cardamon Seed)
$199 | Cut wide in chunky cord and sitting on the natural waist, in a muted olive-khaki.
Winter White Arlo Ribbed Turtleneck
$128 | Fitted stretch rib with a fold-back neck that layers smoothly under a jacket.
Barbour Olive Icons Cropped Liddesdale Quilted Jacket
$270 | Diamond quilting, a corduroy collar and a cropped cut that shows off a high waist.
Tonal olive is what stops corduroy from looking like a countryside costume. Wide-leg cords and a cropped quilted jacket with a brown corduroy collar share one shade, and a fitted winter-white ribbed turtleneck breaks them up.
Add whatever sturdy brown boots you already own for the walk from the car.
For a Friendsgiving out of town, this beats a dress every time.
7. Brown Houndstooth Blazer + Black Turtleneck + Mid-Blue Jeans + Black Loafers
Shop the Look
Houndstooth Leo Blazer (Brown Plaid)
$328 | Peak lapels and an oversized cut give this houndstooth a slouch that suits denim.
Cashmere Sweater | Turtleneck (09 Black)
$99.90 | Black cashmere is the base layer that makes any jacket look more expensive.
Bella Stretch Relaxed Straight Jeans (Atlantic Blue)
$50 | High rise, relaxed straight leg, and a touch of stretch for sitting through seconds.
Manner Casual Leather Loafers (Black Leather)
$99 | My pick for coming straight from work: genuine leather and a low-profile sole.
Tailoring only looks overdressed at a friend’s dinner when the rest of the outfit is stiff too. This oversized brown houndstooth blazer goes over a black cashmere turtleneck and mid-blue straight jeans, so it reads relaxed.
Black loafers mean you can come straight from the day without changing a thing.
Jeans are what make a blazer feel like a choice, not a uniform.
8. Brown Cashmere Vest + White Poplin Shirt + Ecru Jeans + Suede Ballet Flats
Shop the Look
Mongolian Cashmere Mock Neck Sweater Vest (Heather Truffle Brown)
$59.90 | Sleeveless cashmere with ribbed trim at the armholes, made for wearing over a shirt.
The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens White Poplin Boyfriend Shirt
$148 | Slightly oversized cotton poplin with button cuffs, crisp where the vest is soft.
Low-Rise Straight Jean (Ecru)
$65 | Organic cotton denim, easy through the thigh, in the pale shade that lifts every brown beside it.
Ritla Ballet Flats (Dk Brown Suede)
$135 | There’s a delicate bow on these suede flats, and it’s the only decoration the outfit needs.
Ecru jeans in November look far more current than another pair of blue ones. A dark brown mock-neck cashmere vest goes over a white poplin shirt, with the cuffs left showing.
Brown suede ballet flats keep it light enough for a daytime table. There are more daytime looks like it in my fall brunch outfits.
Pale denim with a dark knit is the freshest idea on this list.
9. Dark Grey Merino Crewneck + Grey Knit Trousers + White Canvas Sneakers
Shop the Look
Merino Sweater, Crew Neck (08 Dark Gray)
$39.90 | Fine merino wool in a regular fit, so it looks like knitwear and not a sweatshirt.
Washable Knit Pants | Smooth (03 Gray)
$39.90 | Machine washable with an elastic waist, which makes them the most forgiving trousers here.
Tretorn Women’s White Nylite Canvas Sneakers
$90 | Low-profile white canvas keeps a grey outfit looking fresh rather than sleepy.
This is the most casual Friendsgiving outfit on the list, and it’s the one for a sofa-and-board-games night. A dark grey merino crewneck sits over lighter grey pull-on knit trousers: two greys, not a matched set.
White canvas sneakers keep it clean.
Two greys worn together look planned, where a matching set looks like pajamas.
10. Navy Crewneck + Navy and Green Check Taffeta Skirt + Black Knee Boots
Shop the Look
Camilla Cotton Crew Sweater (Navy)
$89 | Blouson sleeves add just enough shape to hold their own against a full skirt.
Verity Taffeta Midi Skirt (Navy, Green, Blue Tonal Check)
$180 | Wide pleats, pockets and a dark tonal check: party fabric in a sensible pattern.
Kaisley Leather Knee High Boot (Black Leather)
$289 | Smooth black leather with a pointed toe sharpens up all that volume.
Save this one for an evening Friendsgiving, because a full taffeta midi skirt is the dressiest thing on the list. The navy and green check does all the talking, so a plain navy cotton crewneck tucked in is exactly right.
Black leather knee boots with a small kitten heel keep the skirt grounded. Add opaque black tights if the night is cold.
A sweater is the only top that makes taffeta look easy.
11. Chambray Shirt + Tan Corduroy Midi Skirt + Brown Suede Ankle Boots
Shop the Look
Tried & True Chambray Classic Shirt (Mid Wash)
$148 | Two chest pockets and a relaxed linen-blend chambray that looks better the more you roll the sleeves.
Val Button Cord Midi Skirt (Gingerbread)
$180 | Button-front plush cord with pockets, in a warm tan that is softer than chocolate.
Maribu Ankle Leather Booties (Brown Suede)
$149 | Worth owning for exactly this reason: the same brown suede bootie works with skirts as well as jeans.
Chambray and corduroy are two workwear fabrics that somehow look pretty together. The faded blue shirt tucks into a tan-brown button-front cord midi skirt, with sleeves that roll the minute someone hands you a peeler.
Brown suede ankle boots with a low block heel pick up the warmth of the skirt.
Blue and tan is the most underrated pairing of the season.
12. Off-White Cashmere Turtleneck + Brown Faux-Leather Trousers + Suede Slingbacks
Shop the Look
Cashmere Sweater | Turtleneck (01 Off White)
$99.90 | Off-white cashmere near the face does more for you than any necklace.
Faux Leather Cropped Wide Leg Pant (Espresso)
$178 | Pull-on, machine washable and cropped to show off a shoe: faux leather with none of the fuss.
Luciey Kitten Heel Slingback Pump (Dark Brown Suede)
$129.99 | Low enough to stand in while you talk, pointed enough to look like you dressed up.
Faux leather feels like a risk until you see it under a soft off-white knit. These dark brown trousers are a cropped wide leg with a pull-on stretch waist.
Dark brown suede kitten-heel slingbacks show at the cropped hem and make this a proper dinner-party look.
Matte cashmere over a slight sheen is the whole trick to dressing up quietly.
13. Olive Corduroy Shirt Dress + Camel Wool Coat + Brown Suede Knee Boots
Shop the Look
Olive Thin Wale Corduroy Tara Shirt Dress
$198 | Thin-wale corduroy with a removable tie belt and side pockets, so you can wear it straight or cinched.
Stephanie Wool Coat (Camel)
$248 | Throw this over the dress for the arrival and the two warm tones do the styling for you.
Kaisley Leather Knee High Boot (Dark Brown Suede)
$289 | Knee-high brown suede fills the gap below a midi hem and keeps your legs warm.
Corduroy is what takes a shirt dress out of the office. This olive one buttons down the front, has side pockets, and ties with its own belt.
A camel wool coat goes over it, with dark brown suede knee boots on a kitten heel.
Olive and camel together look like you have a system.
14. Deep Red Cardigan + Dark Wide-Leg Jeans + Black Ballet Flats
Shop the Look
Lightweight Cotton Cashmere Cardigan (Deep Brick Red)
$44.90 | Working buttons and a fine gauge are what let this one be worn closed as a top.
High Rise Wide Jeans (69 Navy)
$39.90 | Full-length and wide through the leg, in pure cotton denim with a high rise.
Caret Ballet Flats (Black Leather)
$140 | Minimal black leather with a fine line of piping, barely lifted at the heel.
Button a fine cardigan all the way up and it stops being a layer and becomes the top. In deep red, it’s the one real color moment on this list, set against dark navy wide-leg jeans.
Black ballet flats keep the long leg line clean and slip off easily at the door.
One strong red piece does more than a whole festive outfit.
15. Camel Cashmere Turtleneck + Ivory Pleated Trousers + Cognac Belt + Dark Brown Loafers
Shop the Look
Camel Cashmere Evelyn Turtleneck
$198 | Slim through the body with a rolled neck, so it tucks flat into a high waist.
The Pleats For Days Pant (Ivory)
$268 | Inverted pleats and a high waist give these the long, fluid line that makes ivory look expensive.
The Heritage Belt (Cognac / Antique Brass)
$118 | Cognac leather with an antique brass buckle ties the camel and the ivory together.
Women’s Whitney Weejuns Penny Loafer (Dark Choco)
$195 | Leather-soled and plain, in a dark shade that anchors pale trousers.
Ivory trousers in late November are a quiet flex, and I mean that kindly. The pleated wide leg falls fluidly under a slim camel cashmere turtleneck, with a cognac leather belt marking the waist.
Dark brown penny loafers add depth at the hem.
Pale trousers are the fastest way to look polished in a room full of denim.
16. Burgundy Cashmere Cardigan + Grey Flannel Trousers + Black Mary Janes
Shop the Look
Elsie Cashmere Crew Cardigan (Deep Burgundy)
$190 | Cashmere you can put in the washing machine, in a deep burgundy with a neat crew neck.
Hudson Pant in Wool Flannel (Heather Grey)
$195 | Side pockets and a wide straight leg keep these flannel trousers relaxed, not corporate.
Godea Mary Jane Ballet Flat (Black Leather)
$89.99 | Square toe, one slim buckled strap: sweet, but not too sweet.
Deep burgundy next to grey flannel is the most grown-up color pairing I know. The crew-neck cashmere cardigan is worn buttoned as a top, or over your own white tee if you run warm.
Pull-on grey wool flannel trousers and black Mary Jane flats make it work for a weeknight dinner after work.
A cardigan worn alone is the softest alternative to a blouse.
17. Dark Grey Merino Crewneck + Black Silk Midi Skirt + Black Ankle Boots
Shop the Look
Merino Sweater, Crew Neck (08 Dark Gray)
$39.90 | Take a size up here for a looser front tuck over the skirt.
100% Washable Silk Skirt (Black)
$69.90 | Bias-cut silk with a satin finish catches candlelight in a way plain black never does.
Alfie Block Heel Leather Ankle Bootie (Black Leather)
$199 | Sleek pointed toe, side zip and a block heel low enough for a whole evening on your feet.
Matte wool against a silk skirt is the contrast that makes a dark outfit interesting. Size up in the dark grey merino crewneck so it tucks loosely at the front of the black midi skirt, which has a hidden elastic waist.
Black leather ankle boots with a low block heel finish it. If dark dressing is your default, my all-black capsule for the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving builds on the same idea.
Charcoal and black is evening dressing with the volume turned down.
18. Navy Wool Coat + Light Grey Cashmere Crewneck + Straight Jeans + Suede Ankle Boots
Shop the Look
Cotswold Wool Coat (Navy)
$380 | Single-breasted with a structured collar and welt pockets, this is the investment piece of the list.
The Original Cashmere Crewneck Sweater Women’s (Cement)
$98 | Light warm grey cashmere is softer against navy than white would be.
Bella Stretch Relaxed Straight Jeans (Atlantic Blue)
$50 | Mid-wash blue is the denim shade that looks best under a navy coat.
Alfie Block Heel Leather Ankle Bootie (Chocolate Brown Suede)
$199 | Chocolate suede brings the only warm tone to the outfit, and it needs one.
Your coat is the first thing anyone sees when the door opens, so let it be the best piece you’re wearing. A single-breasted navy wool coat goes over a light grey cashmere crewneck and mid-blue straight jeans.
Chocolate suede ankle boots with a low block heel warm up all that blue and grey.
A sweater and jeans are enough when the coat is this good.
The Shoes-Off Problem: Plan Your Outfit for the Moment the Boots Come Off
Plenty of Friendsgivings happen in a shoes-off home, and that changes the outfit more than people expect.
Trousers hemmed to sit right over a block heel drop by the height of that heel once you’re in socks. Wide legs then pool on the floor.
So choose the look by how it works without shoes, not only by how it looks at the door.
Midi skirts and dresses are the safest choice, because their hem never depended on the shoe. Cropped trousers and straight jeans cope well too.
Then there are the socks, which become your visible shoes for the next five hours. A fine-knit pair in the color of your trousers or tights looks deliberate, and a faded gym pair undoes a cashmere sweater instantly.
Start with the knit. If you own one sweater you love in camel, cream, grey or navy, most of these looks are already half built.
Add a waistband you won’t think about and shoes that come off easily, and you’re dressed for any friend’s table.
Polished at Friendsgiving just means looking comfortable on purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you wear to Friendsgiving?
A soft knit, trousers or jeans with a comfortable waist, and low shoes or boots. Think one step up from a weekend outfit and one step down from a family holiday dinner.
Can I wear jeans to Friendsgiving?
Yes, and most people will. Choose a dark or mid wash with no rips, then pair it with a cashmere or cable-knit sweater so the denim looks intentional.
What if I don’t know how dressy the dinner is?
Ask the host, or wear a midi skirt with a sweater and boots. That combination looks right next to both jeans and dresses.
What should I wear if I’m the one hosting?
Pick sleeves you can push up and trousers with a pull-on waist. Save the taffeta skirt for a year when someone else is cooking.
You Might Also Like
Save This For Later
Loved friendsgiving outfit ideas? Save this pin to your Pinterest board now so you can find it again anytime you need the inspiration.
Want a fresh outfit idea each morning? Follow Heritage Mode Maison on Instagram.
