Whether you are hosting a holiday, or fortunate to have a relative host, there is no better place to be than in the warmth and relaxed atmosphere of a home.  Holidays with Ginger were absolutely beautiful, from the presentation of food, the home decor, to what we all wore – usually pretty dressed up!   Dressing nicely when in your own home may seem odd to some people, but it actually contributes to the festivity and shows respect for the occasion and each other.  To me this need not mean dressing formally or being uncomfortable if you find the right balance.  Here’s what I wore on Thanksgiving Day…

I started with the  metallic booties – they are super comfortable, festive, and have a flattering heel…with these Ralph Lauren heavy black jeans, I was off to a good start.  Next?  How about a silk polka dot blouse to dress up the jeans a bit?  Almost there…needed to add some panache, so I tried this black silk tie that I previously have worn as a ‘floppy bow’ and voila!  Fun and unexpected style.

A Rag and Bone ‘boyfriend’ cardigan was a perfect topper, adding contrast to the black and beige, while also adding warmth on the chilly day.

Here are a few more examples of our Thanksgiving style at home:

Peter wore JCrew corduroys with a Hugo Boss merino wool sweater…

Maroon was a popular color among many, here’s my son Brad wearing a well-tailored shirt with John Varvatos trousers…

And like his mom, Brad appreciates the value of quality shoes, these boots by Frye.

The hostess, my daughter Hayley, found the balance between comfort and style in a leopard pencil skirt with a mustard merino wool sweater.  (She insisted I not show the silly face she was making!)

And finally, my two year old grand-daughter Emily, in a watch plaid dress and Elephantito shoes.  Never too soon to be teaching about proper dress. 😉    All in all, the unwritten holiday dress code in our family is ‘smart casual’.   As the hours pass, shoes may come off, sweatshirts may go on, but at least we start the day off looking perfectly presentable.

What do YOU typically like to wear on a holiday at home?