18 Thanksgiving Outfits for Work Potlucks
The office potluck sounds easy until you stand in front of your closet the night before. You want to look put together for your team, but you also need to carry a dish, sit on a folding chair and go back for seconds.
If you are petite, plus size and over 50, there is one more question. Will this hem, this waistline or this sleeve work on my frame?
These thanksgiving outfits for work potlucks were picked with all of that in mind. You will find blazers, midi skirts, wide leg pants, cozy knits, a jumpsuit and even a pair of feather trimmed trousers for the dressier party.
Each look comes with notes on hem length, layers and comfort, plus a small visual you can save. Most of the colors lean on rust, camel, wine, olive and cream, so you can shop your own closet first.
Scroll through, pick the two or three that feel like you, and do a sit test before the big day.
1. Navy Blazer Over a Polka Dot Wide Leg Set
Navy dots in a matching set look pulled together with almost no thinking. The blazer keeps it office ready, and you can slip it off once the slow cookers come out.
- Hem the wide leg pants to just above the shoe. Petite frames lose height when fabric pools at the floor.
- A thin tan belt marks the waist without squeezing, which matters after a full plate.
- The top is strapless, so keep the blazer on all day, or add a thin tee underneath for more coverage.
- A colorful scarf tied on the bag handle brings in orange and red with no extra jewelry.
2. Olive Knit Tee, Bandana Scarf and White Jeans
Olive and white says fall without leaning on orange. The sweater has short sleeves with ribbed cuffs, so nothing drags through the gravy boat.
A dark green bandana tied at the neck repeats the color and draws the eye upward, which helps on a shorter frame.
Tan suede clogs and a slouchy leather tote finish it off. Keep the white jeans hemmed at the ankle so they don’t bunch over the shoes.
Drop a stain pen in that big tote. White pants and a potluck table meet more often than anyone plans.
3. A Retro Print Midi Dress With a Braided Belt
Burgundy, rust and cream all live in one dress, so you can skip the accessory debate.
The high funnel neck and full sleeves with buttoned cuffs cover a lot without feeling stiff. The A line skirt skims the body instead of clinging.
One petite note: a hem that lands mid calf can shorten the leg, so aim for just below the knee if you can. Tan suede boots with a chunky sole keep it grounded and warm.
It defines the waist on a loose dress without adding bulk.
Warm suede echoes the rust in the print and keeps the leg line unbroken.
The print is busy enough, so jewelry stays quiet.
4. Houndstooth Jacket and a Lace Hem Skirt for a Casual Office
A tiny check in an oversized zip jacket, plus a flowy brown skirt with a lace edge, makes a soft and easy pair. It suits an office where jeans are fine. The skirt hem dips lower on one side, which adds movement.
The olive suede shoulder bag pulls in the green of the day. One warning for smaller frames: a boxy jacket widens the hips, so pick a lighter weight fabric.
| Keep it casual | Dress it up |
|---|---|
| Suede clogs | Low block heel loafers |
| Jacket zipped to the neck | Jacket open over a fitted tee |
| Slouchy shoulder bag | Small structured tote |
5. Paisley Blouse With a Denim Midi Skirt
A printed shirt in blue, green and cream plus a long denim skirt reads friendly and smart at the same time.
Here is how to copy it:
- Roll the blouse sleeves to the forearm so cuffs stay clear of the food.
- Pick a denim midi with a front slit. It gives you room to walk and sit.
- Add a brown belt, then tie a camel sweater over the shoulders in case the office runs cold.
Mary Jane flats in a soft tan finish it without adding height strain.
6. Grey Wool Blazer Coat With Berry Knits
Wine and grey make a quiet fall pair. A long grey coat over a deep berry cardigan, with matching berry boots and bag, looks planned.
The gathered cuffs of the cardigan peek out at the wrist, which is a nice detail. The skirt in this photo is very short, so for a work potluck go knee length or wear opaque tights.
Two greys in the same family make one long column.
Boots and a crossbody in the same shade tie the top and bottom together.
7. Black Jumpsuit Under a Camel Trench Coat
One piece, one coat, out the door.
The black jumpsuit has a soft V neck, a pleated waistband and wide legs. A camel trench worn open frames it and adds a light neutral against all that black. Black block heel boots keep the walk comfortable.
For a petite frame, the pleated waist is your friend because it sits high and lengthens the leg. Check that the hem just touches the boot.
Pick a jumpsuit with a defined, high waist.
Wear a light coat open for a long, clean line.
A deep V with nothing over it at the office.
Legs so long they bunch at the ankle.
8. Leather Jacket and a Bold Pleated Midi Skirt
A tan leather jacket over a burgundy turtleneck sets up the neutrals. Then the skirt arrives in orange, cream and black swirls, and it holds up as the star. Burgundy suede boots come up over the knee and repeat the sweater.
A black quilted chain bag keeps the whole thing grown up. Turtlenecks get warm near a hot dish, so a thin knit is a smart choice.
9. Black and Grey Layers With a Leather Look Trench
Monochrome can feel serious, so this outfit softens it in small ways.
- A crisp white collar peeks out from a soft grey sweater, which brightens the face.
- Straight black trousers are wide enough to sit in and long enough to skim the shoes.
- White sneakers keep the day comfortable. Slip in a pair of flats if the meeting runs late.
- The long trench lengthens the body, which suits a petite frame if the hem stays below the knee.
- A structured black bag with a chain gives it a work feel.
10. A Cream Suit With a Silk Scarf
A cream suit is a strong choice when everyone else wears sweaters. The blazer has sharp shoulders and a long line.
The trousers flare wide and reach the floor. A printed silk scarf knotted at the neck, gold rings and a cuff bring warmth.
For petite frames, flared legs need a small heel or a careful hem so they don’t swallow you. A structured brown tote holds a dish or a laptop.
Cream suit on its own. Clean, but a little flat.
Add a silk scarf, gold cuff and a tan tote. Now it looks like fall.
11. Camel Sweater With Floral Wine Pants
Let the pants have the pattern. A plain camel turtleneck goes on top, and the floral trousers in wine, gold and green do the talking below.
They are straight and cropped at the ankle, which shows a little skin and helps a petite leg look longer. Pointed suede loafers in chocolate brown add length too. The sweater sits at the hip, so it doesn’t swallow the pants.
One printed piece per outfit, and keep the other solid.
12. A Speckled Peplum Jacket With a Full Camel Skirt
The jacket has a soft animal style speckle in cream, tan and black, with puffed shoulders and a gentle flare below the waist. The skirt is a full, plain camel that swings when you walk. Since the print is busy, a solid skirt keeps it calm.
The flare of the peplum can add width at the hip, so a plus size petite reader may want it shorter or cut straighter. Add pointed flats and a brown satchel to carry papers or a dish.
13. Camel Sweater and a Black Tweed Skirt
Camel over black tweed is a classic for a reason. The mock neck sweater is slightly oversized with dropped shoulders, and the tweed skirt has gold button pockets and a frayed edge.
The boots are black suede and go over the knee. This skirt is short, so for work go with a knee length version. Boots that reach above the knee also need room in the calf, so try them on sitting down.
14. Chocolate Sweater With Cream Corduroy Pants
Nobody will ask you to move so they can get to the stuffing when you wear this. The nubby brown sweater is soft and roomy, and the cream corduroy pants are wide and easy to sit in.
Tan ankle boots and a small burgundy leather bag with a crossbody strap finish it off. That strap matters. One hand holds the dish, the other stays free for the door.
15. Cream Smocked Blouse With a Rust Pocket Skirt
Cream and rust are two of the best Thanksgiving colors, and here they sit together without shouting. The blouse has a smocked high neck and smocked cuffs, so the sleeves stay put.
The skirt is a smooth rust A line with gold button pockets. Nude pumps blend with the skin and lengthen the leg.
The skirt in the photo is short, so choose one that hits the knee, then do a sit test before you leave the house.
16. Navy Blazer With a Color Block Pleated Skirt
Navy takes the sweetness out of a rust skirt. The double breasted blazer has gold buttons and a cream turtleneck underneath, so the whole thing stays crisp. The pleated midi is brown, rust and blush in vertical panels, and it moves well.
Leopard flats sneak in a bit of fun. On a plus size petite frame, soft flowing pleats work better than stiff ones, so check the fabric drapes before you buy.
17. Tweed Jacket and Satin Pants With a Feather Hem
Bring this one out for a dressier office party. The cream tweed jacket has black trim and a black velvet bow at the neck, and the satin pants end in a swish of feathers at the ankle.
Black velvet mules with a buckle keep the shoes simple. The cropped length shows the ankle, which helps shorter legs. A small patterned top handle bag adds the last bit of fun.
Feather trim snags on chair legs and picks up crumbs. Sit at the end of the table and give the hem a quick check afterward.
18. Brown Duffle Coat With Wide Leg Jeans and Loafers
Most of a potluck day is spent in the coat, so pick one you like. A brown wool duffle with toggle buttons and deep patch pockets comes down to mid thigh. Dark wide leg jeans and suede penny loafers keep the weight low.
A grey top handle bag with a scarf tied to the handle brings in a small hit of color. If the coat is bulky, hang it up at the door. Then you can sit at the table without feeling packed in.
A warm coat and easy jeans mean you look put together on the way in and comfortable once you sit down.
