Dressing kids for Thanksgiving is tricky for a lot of parents. You want them to look nice at the table, but most kids are counting the minutes until they can run outside with their cousins.
The right outfit gets them through dinner and the backyard football game after it without a single wardrobe change. At Tuck & Char Co., our Retro Coastal Surf Club crewneck and shorts sets are what we reach for on Thanksgiving, because they look sweet at the table and hold up when the game starts.
What Makes a Good Kids Thanksgiving Outfit
Honestly? A good Thanksgiving outfit for kids is whatever they're still wearing at the end of the afternoon. Anything that scratches, pinches, or has to stay spotless probably won't last past the rolls.
So we look for soft fabric, a waistband with a little give, and a top that doesn't need tucking in. A matching set makes it even easier. The pieces already go together, even when your five-year-old insists on getting dressed alone.
A Crewneck and Shorts Set for Thanksgiving Dinner and Beyond
Our Retro Coastal Surf Club crewneck has a retro patchwork panel on the front, a real front pocket, the classic Surf Club logo, and sewn-in sleeve panels. It has that vintage surf-shop look, the kind of sweatshirt that gets passed down instead of tossed.
The matching shorts have a custom side panel with artwork you'll only find at Tuck & Char Co. They've also got an elastic waist, a drawstring, and front pockets.
Both pieces are lined with super soft fleece, and every piece is individually acid washed, so no two sets look exactly alike.
There are two colorways:
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Navy, in the boys Retro Coastal Surf Club line.
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Soft pink with oranges, yellows, and white, in the girls line.
Sizes go from 12-18M up to Youth M, and they fit true to size. All four pieces live in our crewneck and shorts sets collection.
Thanksgiving Outfits for Babies and Toddlers
The baby cousin can match the big kids too, since sizes start at 12-18M. Honestly, at that age you mostly care about a soft lining and a waistband that's easy to get on and off.
Toddlers spend most of Thanksgiving on the floor anyway, crawling under the table, climbing into Grandma's lap, and eating mashed potatoes with their fingers.
It's worth tossing a spare tee in the diaper bag for the drive home.
Thanksgiving Outfits Kids Can Play Outside In
After dinner is when the outfit really gets tested. Backyard football, tag, a bike loop around the block, maybe a quick walk down to the sand before dark.
A crewneck and lined shorts handle all of that. Nothing rides up or needs fixing, and there's a pocket for whatever shell or rock they find on the way.
Around here, shorts on Thanksgiving are pretty normal. The fleece lining keeps them cozy, and they're a lot more comfortable than stiff dress pants.
Expect it to come home dirtier than it left, and plan on a wash before the weekend.
Pairing Kids Thanksgiving Outfits With Siblings and Cousins
Got a boy and a girl? Put him in navy and her in soft pink, and they'll look like a set in photos without being twins.
Cousins don't have to match exactly. If the family picks two or three colors ahead of time, the photo still looks like you planned it, even if nobody's in the same shirt.
If it gets breezy after sunset, toss a light jacket over the crewneck so nobody has to come in early. We wrote about kids jackets for beach days and bonfire nights if you need a layer to bring along.
Taking the Thanksgiving Photo Before the Fun Starts
Our best tip? Get the family photo done before anyone sits down to eat. Faces are still clean, hair's still brushed, and there's no gravy on anyone's sleeve yet.
Late afternoon light is your friend here. Line everybody up on the porch steps, take way more shots than you think you need, and then set them free.
And if the kids are in different colors, stick the brightest outfit in the middle. That way people look at the kids, not the garage door.
Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas Beyond the Crewneck Set
We love the crewneck and shorts set, but it's definitely not the only option. For a really laid-back family dinner, a soft graphic tee and joggers totally works.
Cooler evening? Throw a flannel or hoodie over a tee. It comes off when the game heats up and goes back on for the walk home.
If your family dresses up a bit more, keep at least one comfy piece in the outfit. A kid in nicer pants will still play longer in a soft top they actually like wearing.
Whatever you go with, think about after dinner first. Can they run, climb, and sit in the grass in it? Then you're good.
Oh, and shoes. Sneakers they can run in will get way more use than dress shoes, which usually come off the second dinner's over.
Getting Thanksgiving Outfits Ready Before the Holiday
Thanksgiving is November 26 this year. Check the size chart before you order, and give yourself enough time for the kids to try everything on first.
Lay the outfit out the night before and let your kid pick the color if they care about that kind of thing. Kids who chose their own clothes are a lot more likely to keep them on.
Flying to see family? Pack the outfit in your carry-on. Holiday luggage has a way of not showing up.
What the Kids Take Away From the Day
Ask them about it in ten years and they won't mention the turkey. It'll be the cousins, the game out back, and running inside with cold cheeks just as somebody cut the pie.
So pick the outfit with that in mind, and let them get it a little dirty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should kids wear for Thanksgiving?
Something that looks nice at dinner but is comfy enough to play in afterward, like a soft crewneck with matching shorts or pants. The Tuck & Char Co. Retro Coastal Surf Club crewneck and shorts set is fleece-lined, fits true to size, and has pockets for whatever they pick up outside.
What sizes do Tuck & Char Co. crewneck and shorts sets come in?
The Retro Coastal Surf Club crewneck and shorts come in 12-18M, 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T, YS, and YM. The boys navy and girls soft pink versions both fit true to size.
How much does the Tuck & Char Co. crewneck and shorts set cost?
The crewneck is $56 and the matching shorts are $42, so a full set comes to $98. They're sold separately, so you can grab just one piece if you want.
Are shorts okay for Thanksgiving?
Yes, especially in mild climates and for kids who'll be outside after dinner. Fleece-lined shorts like the Tuck & Char Co. Retro Coastal Surf Club shorts stay comfy when it cools off later in the afternoon.
How do I wash the Retro Coastal Surf Club crewneck and shorts?
Wash them on cold with like colors, then hang dry or tumble dry low. Each piece is individually acid washed, so small color differences are part of the design.