
Thanksgiving & Friendsgiving Outfits 2025: Eat, Sparkle, Repeat
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey and pumpkin pie - it’s the one day of the year where your family will definitely take ten group photos whether you like it or not. Friendsgiving is no better; your besties will upload your outfit to Instagram before the stuffing even hits the table. Translation: your look matters. But here’s the catch - you have to look fabulous and be able to sit, feast, and maybe even sneak in that second slice of pie without feeling trapped in your dress.
So, what to wear to Thanksgiving this year? The Thanksgiving outfit ideas for 2025 combine sparkle with stretch, glam with comfort, and glam-practical touches that make you camera-ready while staying “feast-friendly.” Think homecoming-level sequins toned down with cozy knits, bows that add charm without drama, and accessories that shine but still fit in your lap during dinner. If you’re hunting for the best thanksgiving outfits for women or searching Pinterest for friendsgiving outfit ideas, this guide will give you everything you need - and yes, you can actually sit and eat in these outfits.
Check out Mermaid Way’s dresses and evening bags as we dive into the biggest FW25 trends: 24/7 sequins, lingerie-inspired slip silhouettes, and accessories that do the talking.
Feast-Friendly Sparkle: Sequins You Can Sit In
Sequins aren’t just for New Year’s Eve anymore. FW25 has fully embraced the “sparkle all day” trend, which means you can rock sequins from brunch to dinner without anyone batting an eye. But the challenge? Finding a sparkly dress you can actually sit and feast in without feeling like a disco ball wrapped in duct tape.
This season, stretchy sequins are your best friend. Designers are leaning into fabrics that move with you, meaning you can raise a toast, reach for another serving of mashed potatoes, and still sparkle without stiffness. For a daytime family dinner, consider a sequin slip maxi layered with a cozy cardigan - comfy, chic, and easy to “de-layer” when the evening turns glam. Heading to a friendsgiving potluck? Pair a sequin mini with opaque tights and chunky ankle boots for a look that’s equal parts festive and practical.
And don’t forget the day-to-night trick: throw a denim jacket or oversized blazer on top for the drive to Grandma’s, then ditch it once the selfies start rolling in. Add a sparkly evening bag and platform heels, and you’re instantly party-ready.
Pair these dresses with sparkly heels that can survive a long night, and you’ve got one of the best thanksgiving outfits for women that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for shine.
Friendsgiving, But Make It Grown-Up: Coquette Details
Friendsgiving is where your outfit can lean playful, aesthetic, and a little bit experimental. 2025 still has bows front and center - not just on dresses, but as finishing touches across accessories and shoes. If you’re wondering what to wear to Thanksgiving with friends, coquette-inspired looks are a subtle way to nail it without going full Bridgerton cosplay.
The trick? Micro doses of bows. Think bow heels with a satin dress, velvet ribbons tied into braids or ponytails, or a cropped top with delicate tie details. These touches elevate any look instantly while keeping it festive. Bows have been running strong since 2024, and the FW25 runways prove they’re not going anywhere.
For the perfect Friendsgiving look, start with a simple satin slip dress or knit midi and let your accessories do the talking. Add bow heels or velvet Mary Janes, and you’ve hit peak holiday chic without overdressing for a casual dinner. Bonus: bow details photograph beautifully, so your candid “passing the gravy” shot will look like it belongs in a campaign.
If you’re leaning playful but still want sparkle, pair a cropped sequin top from Tops & Sets with wide-leg pants and bow-accented shoes. It’s a cute thanksgiving outfit that’s equal parts comfy and stylish.
Jewel-Tone & Fall Colors That Photograph Well
Thanksgiving might be about food, but let’s be honest - it’s also about photos. That means your outfit colors matter. Jewel tones and fall-inspired metallics dominate the thanksgiving outfit ideas for 2025 because they look rich in real life and translate flawlessly on camera.
Emerald green, deep burgundy, rich chocolate, and soft champagne are the winners this year. They add warmth to every skin tone and feel perfectly seasonal. Metallics - bronze, gold, and silver - are equally powerful, especially when styled with sequins for that FW25 “24/7 sparkle” energy.
For example, a burgundy satin dress paired with bow heels and a rhinestone bag screams Friendsgiving chic. An emerald velvet midi dress styled with gold earrings and neutral ankle boots gives you a comfy thanksgiving outfit that feels luxe without being over the top.
Curious about color combinations? Don’t be afraid to mix. Champagne slip dress with a chocolate-toned cardigan? Gorgeous. Emerald dress with silver heels? Unexpected but photo-ready. FW25 styling is about blending textures and tones that feel festive without being predictable.
Explore dresses in these jewel tones and experiment with sparkly accessories to capture the season’s glam-practical aesthetic.
Outfit Formulas for Every Thanksgiving Plan
Thanksgiving looks different for everyone. Some are dressing up for restaurant reservations, others are eating on a couch with family, and plenty are road-tripping to a friendsgiving outfit idea that ends in board games. Whatever your plan, here are foolproof outfit formulas that check the boxes: photogenic, comfortable, and chic.
Family Dinner at Home
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Formula: satin midi dress + knit cardigan + sparkly heels.
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Why it works: satin gives elegance, cardigan adds coziness, and low-block heels make it easy to refill your plate without tripping.
Friendsgiving Potluck
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Formula: sequin mini dress + opaque tights + rhinestone bag.
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Why it works: sparkle keeps it festive, tights add warmth, and the bag keeps essentials (phone, lip gloss, turkey leftovers) close.
Restaurant Reservation
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Formula: metallic slip dress + tailored blazer + bow heels.
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Why it works: polished and chic, but still playful. You can remove the blazer for pictures, showing off the slip’s shine.
Travel Day → Dinner
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Formula: chainmail or sparkly top + dark denim + evening bag.
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Why it works: comfy enough for car or plane, but instantly upgraded once you add heels and a crossbody bag. Perfect day to night thanksgiving outfit.
Each formula can be recreated with Mermaid Way’s dresses, sparkly heels, and evening bags.
Shoes & Bags That Survive a Long Night
We all know the drill: your outfit looks perfect at 6 p.m., but by 9 p.m. you’re barefoot in the kitchen, clutch abandoned somewhere near the pie. The secret to Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving glam that actually lasts? Choosing sparkly heels and evening bags that are as practical as they are pretty.
Heels That Go the Distance
Platforms and block heels are your MVPs this year. Not only are they easier to walk in than stilettos, but they also add that retro-cool vibe we’re seeing across FW25. Ankle-strap heels are another safe bet - they stay secure as you move from table to living room to impromptu dance floor.
Clear heels are a trendy wildcard if you want a minimalist effect that lets your dress shine. Pair them with a metallic mini dress or jewel-tone slip for a look that feels polished but still comfortable. For sparkle queens, rhinestone detailing on platforms gives you shine without sacrificing balance. Check out the sparkly heels collection for options that won’t leave you barefoot halfway through dessert.
Bags That Do More Than Look Cute
The rhinestone bag trend isn’t slowing down, but practicality is key when you’re choosing the right size. You’ll need enough room for your phone, lip gloss, house keys, and maybe even that emergency safety pin. Opt for crystal clutches with a detachable strap so you can go hands-free when passing dishes or snapping photos.
Crossbody evening bags are having a moment, and they’re ideal for fall dinner outfit formulas where you’re traveling or multitasking. Browse Mermaid Way’s evening bags for crystal clutches and sparkly minis that look glam but won’t end up abandoned on the sofa.
Quick Fixes (Last-Minute Hacks)
Sometimes you don’t have time for a full-blown outfit plan. Luckily, Thanksgiving styling hacks exist for exactly this scenario.
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Bows in your hair, no effort required: Grab velvet or satin ribbons, tie them onto bobby pins, and suddenly your look has that FW25 coquette edge. It’s an instant nod to the bow heels trend without buying anything new.
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Tights to the rescue: Opaque black tights (30–60 den) not only add warmth but also let you recycle shorter dresses without feeling exposed around family. Pair them with sparkly heels for a sleek, leg-lengthening finish.
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Stretch-friendly waist: An elastic belt or slightly looser fit at the waistline will save you once the second round of pumpkin pie appears. The best comfy thanksgiving outfits balance structure on top (like a tailored blazer) with forgiving stretch below.
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Photography pro tip: Sequins can blow out under harsh flash. For Friendsgiving group photos, opt for softer lighting - candles, string lights, or natural window glow. This makes your sparkly accessories look luminous instead of blinding.
These little tricks keep your thanksgiving outfits for women functional while still on-trend.
Shop the Look
Ready for instant inspiration? Here are six curated thanksgiving outfit ideas you can shop directly:
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Pumpkin Spice Sparkle
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Champagne sequin slip dress
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Gold platform rhinestone heels
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Crystal mini clutch
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Cozy Coquette
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Burgundy satin midi
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Black bow heels
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Velvet hair ribbon + rhinestone crossbody
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Friendsgiving Glow-Up
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Emerald sequin mini dress
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Opaque tights
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Silver rhinestone bag
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Restaurant Reservation Chic
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Metallic bronze slip dress
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Tailored blazer
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Strappy clear heels
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Travel-Friendly Sparkle
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Black chainmail crop top (from Tops & Sets)
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Dark denim
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Hands-free evening bag
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Day-to-Night Queen
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White satin mini with knit cardigan
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Platform sparkly heels
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Oversized crystal clutch
Each set combines glam and comfort, making them cute thanksgiving outfits that transition from sitting at the table to taking group photos and heading out afterward.
Conclusion: Feast in Style
Thanksgiving 2025 isn’t about choosing between style and comfort - it’s about merging the two. From jewel-tone satin midis to sequin homecoming dress–inspired minis, from sparkly heels that survive a night of turkey trots to rhinestone bags that double as jewelry, your holiday wardrobe can be as functional as it is photogenic.
Whether you’re spending the evening at a family dinner, heading to a Friendsgiving potluck, or dressing up for a restaurant reservation, Mermaid Way has curated thanksgiving outfits for women that let you sparkle, sit, and snack without compromise.
Feast in style - explore the full Thanksgiving Edit at Mermaid Way and make this holiday season unforgettable.








