Casual Holiday Outfit Idea For Thanksgiving And Christmas (Comfy And Cute)

I have two rules for holiday outfits, and they are non negotiable. One, I have to be comfortable. Two, it has to be something I will actually wear again. That is exactly why this casual holiday outfit might be my Thanksgiving and Christmas outfit this year. It is cute, it is comfy, it feels a little special, and I am not going to wear it once and shove it in the back of my closet.

If your holidays are anything like most families, they are not black tie. They are family dinners, kids running around, long afternoons on the couch, and a lot of food. You want to look nicer than your everyday leggings, but a sequin dress feels like way too much. This outfit lives right in that sweet spot.

My Two Rules For Holiday Outfits

Rule One, It Has To Be Comfortable

Holidays are long days. You are cooking, hosting, sitting at the table for hours, and chasing kids. If your outfit is pinching, itching, or too tight after dinner, you are going to be miserable by dessert. Comfort is the first thing I look for, and this outfit nails it with a soft, relaxed sweater and pants with a roomy barrel shape.

Rule Two, I Have To Wear It Again

I do not want to spend money on a holiday outfit that only works for one day a year. Every piece here works on its own. The sweater goes with jeans, the velvet pants go with a simple tee or a chunky knit, and the boots go with everything. It is a holiday outfit that turns into a dozen everyday outfits all winter.

A Casual Holiday Outfit That Still Feels Special

The top is a cream ribbed off the shoulder sweater from 12th Tribe. It is soft, cozy, and the off the shoulder neckline makes it feel a little more dressed up than a regular sweater. A little sexy, a little cute, and still totally appropriate for a family holiday.

The pants are the star. They are crushed velvet pants from 12th Tribe in a rich chocolate brown, with a relaxed barrel leg. Crushed velvet has that soft, slightly shimmery texture that catches the light and instantly feels festive, but the casual cut keeps it from looking like you are headed to a fancy party. They fit so nicely and they are comfortable, which is exactly what I want for a day of eating and hanging out.

I finished it with black ankle boots from Eric Javits. They have a chunky lug sole, so they are easy to walk in, and the black grounds the cream and brown for a polished look.

Sizing And Fit Notes

I am 5'8" and wearing a small in the sweater, which has a relaxed, comfortable fit. In the velvet pants I am wearing a 26. Important note, the velvet has no stretch, so keep that in mind when picking your size. If you like room to move after a big holiday meal, think about how you like your non stretch jeans to fit and choose accordingly.

How To Style Velvet Pants For The Holidays

Velvet pants are one of the easiest ways to make a casual outfit look holiday ready. The fabric does the dressing up for you, so you can keep everything else simple. Here are a few ways to wear them through the season.

For Thanksgiving, pair them with a cozy cream or camel sweater and ankle boots, just like this. For Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, swap in a red or green knit for something a little more festive. For a holiday party, add a silky cami and a blazer. And for everyday winter wear, throw them on with a plain tee and sneakers.

Velvet is a holiday fabric that works way beyond the holidays, which is exactly why it passes my second rule. If you love outfits with a pop of texture or color, my post on colorful fall outfit ideas has more easy ways to make simple pieces feel special.

Comfy Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas

Thanksgiving outfits should be the comfiest of the whole season. A relaxed pant with a little room, a soft sweater, and boots you can stand in all afternoon. This outfit checks every box, and it still looks put together in family photos.

If you love an outfit you can pull on in two minutes, I have another favorite in my post on how to style a t shirt dress for fall. It is just as comfy and works for holiday gatherings too.

Casual Christmas Outfit Ideas

For a lot of us, Christmas Day is slow mornings, presents, and a big dinner later in the day. You want something you can wear from opening gifts to sitting down for dinner without changing. This outfit works for exactly that, cozy enough for the morning and pretty enough for the table.

And for Christmas morning itself, nothing beats a cute set of holiday pajamas. I rounded up my favorite Christmas pajamas for women if you want a matching set for the whole family.

Where Everything Is From

The off the shoulder sweater and the crushed velvet pants are both from 12th Tribe, and you can see more of their pieces in the 12th Tribe velvet collection. The black ankle boots are from Eric Javits. Everything is linked below. And if you are curious why velvet is everywhere this season, this velvet holiday trend roundup is a fun read.

Holiday outfits do not have to be fancy, uncomfortable, or one and done. My two rules are simple. Be comfortable, and wear something you will wear again. This velvet pant and off the shoulder sweater combination does both, and it still feels cute and a little bit special for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you grab any of these pieces, tag me so I can see how you style them for your holidays.