How to (Sartorially) Get Though Thanksgiving

Or any holiday that involves eating, traveling, or saying things like "Yeah, I'm still thinking about grad school."

Hello, sailor. As I’m taking a mini-break next week, I wanted to release something into the ꩜ Mermaid Café universe ꩜ that I thought would be useful for these next few weeks of expanding waistlines, lost luggage, and credit card charges.

This is the time of year when I look, as there is no better word, busted. I’m talking the most unwashed of hair. I’m talking going out to dinner in ratty concert tees I haven’t worn since high school. I’m talking sugar-makes-me-break-out-but-yes-I-will-drink-a-gallon-of-punch skin. This guide exists for you as much as it does for me: a way to get your life sartorially together while also feeling comfortable and content. Under the cut, I’ll be listing some styling tips as well as outfit ideas for every level of formality.

Many of you are not in the US or don’t celebrate Thanksgiving or even Friendsgiving, but I hope these notes are still additive for the entire holiday season. Enjoy!

A few notes on styling

1. Wear what calms your nervous system down. This will be a standalone essay at some point, but, in essence — don’t wear garments that bring you psychic pain. That might be a new blazer that’s restrictive in the shoulders; an old dress you never liked but might as well put on; or blood-cherry heels that make you wince when you spot them in the corner of your eye. What sartorially overtaxes you might be a matter of taste, comfort, social stress, etc. I know myself: my blood runs hot, and if I wear something heavy that I can’t (a) eventually shed or (b) adjust the thermostat down for, I get very jittery. Do not waste excess mental energy on clothing that doesn’t make you feel calm and composed.