Prepped for Thanksgiving Dinner
Your annual beating from the conglomerate gathering known as your family will ensue or continue within about a week. As you prepare your mind with snappy comebacks and your Mikasa dish with sweet desserts, allow me to help with the attire.
Above all, you will want to dress for comfort as the chances of you simply making an appearance at your annual day in family court and slipping out the back door may not be as probable as you dreamt up in your mind. Obviously, it can't be a silk kimono and slippers, but it certainly does not have to be Black Tie from Calvin.
Let's begin at the top and work our way down. Depending on your complexion you may want something more subdued in color, darker tones and allow the bling to bring the pizzazz. Might I recommend a light blue collared shirt. This not only goes with everything, but once the spills from the running children begin your stains will be better hidden than your cousins new boyfriend who foolishly threw wisdom aside for a crisp white shirt to be worn at the kiddie table.
If your wife or girlfriend will abide, I would skip the tie. You do not want to look too stuffy for a family-style occasion, and go with a simple orange vneck which subtly states you are both modern and in season.
Slip into a dark grey tweed jacket to don a classic look, or if you prefer, grab your favorite blue blazer. Clip the gold buttons and have your tailor sew on a few simple dark blue, or if you are feeling dangerous, choose light blue buttons with a contrasting purple thread. My tailor peered at me as if I asked her to mend my Members Only jacket, but I simply asked her to trust me. Her demeanor quickly changed soon after she saw it all come together. Fold in a polka dotted pocket square. There is no need to match the colors of the shirt or sweater to the square, you can do that at work.
Jeans are certainly appropriate for this setting, and recommended. The darker you go, the dressier they appear. If your family goes casual, lace up some all-white K-Swiss, if they are more formal, try a pair of dark brown Johnston & Murphy wingtips. They are classic in any culture setting. Socks or no socks, your decision
Finish off the ensemble with a meat, appetizer, or beverage in your left arm, but leave your right hand available for handshakes and hugs. This is after all, a celebration of thanksgiving for what we have, and who is in our lives. Of course, none of this may apply to you or your household and may as well serve you better as a substitute when you run out of Charmin. In which case I would recommend unscented baby wipes, they are softer and more efficient but...then again...that's just my humble opinion.