What is Your Thanksgiving Dress Code?

Happy Thanksgiving! When I was a kid, and had more family around, there was always more of us together at Thanksgiving. With that being the case, I was always expected to wear my "Sunday best", which was usually a suit and tie.

The rules were a bit more relaxed as I got older. "Business casual" was the norm--khakis and a nice sweater--until, by adulthood, jeans and said sweater became perfectly acceptable. When I can get together with the extended family for a special occasion, it's back to business casual. A certain amount of respect and reverence are due for the occasion, but you'll rarely see me wearing a suit these days, except at a wedding or funeral.

The one consistent Thanksgiving fashion no-no with me? Sweatpants are rarely proper attire for a family or group get-together--in my opinion. Especially not if you hold your gathering at a public facility, but really not even at someone's home. I am generally not comfortable in them at any time, ironically, nor do I live up to the stereotypes you see on television and in movies. I am not the guy who wears sweatpants to the Thanksgiving meal because you're "just with family" anyway, or you're "leaving more room" to fill up at dinner. A female friend of mine said she likes to host Thanksgiving because there's no pressure to dress up. Thanksgiving is about family and friends, not about dressing to the 9's. But in my view, it doesn't hurt to dress to at least the 6's.

What do you think? Is there a certain "dress code" you have for Thanksgiving--and does it vary based on whomever you're getting together with? Share your thoughts in the comments.