Thanksgiving totally snuck up on me this year — I looked at my calendar on Monday and nearly fell over dead because how is it Thanksgiving already??? OMG.

(I love Thanksgiving; it’s my favorite holiday. Lots of eating and no gifts — hooray!)

I’m a big fan of getting dressed up for Thanksgiving dinner, but I know not everyone is. I am totally opposed to showing up at the table in your elastic waist yoga pants, though. I promise you’ll feel more thankful if you put on something more chic than what you wear to pick the kids up at school.

Fortunately, that’s an easy thing to do.

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I’m flying to Chicago tomorrow, for two and a half days. I was determined not to check a suitcase, because two days! How much stuff could I possibly need?

Yeah, I’m totally checking my bag. I can’t figure out how to make it all work otherwise.

I am a minimalist traveler. I wholeheartedly believe that “one carry-on bag” should mean one bag, not one bag plus your handbag (you know who you are). If you can’t get it all in one bag, you do not need it on the plane. Period. We flew to China a couple of years ago and I carried one bag on the plane with me, and had everything I needed for the entire flight.

Somehow, though, I cannot manage to apply that approach to my actual suitcase.

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I’ve always been intrigued by the maxi skirt; I love the idea of a piece that is as easy as yoga pants but still polished enough to go pretty much anywhere. To really make a maxi skirt work, think about both the shape of the skirt and what you pair it with. Here are three quick tips for styling your maxi this fall.

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Arwen has a question: “What is cocktail attire when the party (a wedding) is in the middle of the afternoon?”

Ooh, good one!

I am a firm believer in always dressing up for a wedding; it’s a simple way to show respect for the couple and the institution and the venue. It’s also a good excuse to wear that lovely frock that doesn’t work for your everyday life. And of course, weddings are a great option to have your picture taken, and why not look your best when the photographer comes your way?

The twist here, of course, is the combination of cocktail attire and a function that starts before the cocktail hour. The real key here is not just when the actual wedding is, but what the reception schedule looks like. If the event is the wedding and cocktails only, then Arwen can go more casual; if cocktails will be followed by dinner (and maybe dancing!) then a dressier look is more appropriate. Either way, it pays to get dressed up.

Let’s consider the options.

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This week, the Wall Street Journal is singing the praises of the shorts suit. “Traditionally, the word ’suit’ is a sad one for ladies, especially when uttered during the summer months,” writes Alexa Brazilian. “Conversely, shorts have always evoked ideas of vacation, heat and leisure. When brought together, they create an unexpected combination of crisp polish and playful sportiness that can be worn anywhere from the office to weekends in the country and formal evenings out.”

In other words, it’s time to get a shorts suit!

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Photo via Boden USA

We’ve talked about what to wear to the office and what to wear to the playground, but what about what to wear to all those in-between Mom Moments, the ones where you need to make a good impression on other adults because they’re judging you as a parent? In your head, if nowhere else.

You know exactly what I mean.

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tiered gauze skirt, $29.50 at Old Navy

What are you wearing to the park this summer? Robin is opting for a skirt, but she’s wondering how to navigate the elements. “I prefer skirts and dresses in the summer to shorts, and A-line skirts and full skirts are more flattering on my figure.” she writes. “I have young children and live in Texas where it tends to be very breezy in the summer. A windy day at the park in a full skirt can be a bit embarrassing in my typical underwear. So my question is, what are some options to wear under my full skirts that wouldn’t be embarrassing if the breeze blows my skirt up?”

Robin, I feel your pain. Unfortunately, the solution isn’t to buy prettier underwear; it’s to find a skirt that won’t go flying over your head in the wind.

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Susan is looking for a cocktail dress — one designed for a real person, not a model. She writes, “I do NOT want something so short my crotch is going to show (seems to be popular). I do NOT want to wear something drapey/flowey/grandmotherly. I had my fifth baby 9 months ago and just got my body back (thank goodness!), so I want something that fits, but doesn’t squeeze.”

Done! Here are ten options, in various styles — none of which will expose Susan’s crotch or cause her to be mistaken for a grandmother. And all of them are available at Nordstrom.

Maggie London, $158

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I work from home, which means that when I get dressed in the morning, I’m typically getting dressed for the entire day. This morning, for example, I needed to find an outfit that would work for the freezing cold school run, a long day of writing and editing, and second grade basketball practice tonight.

I opted for jeans and a sweater, largely because I don’t want to have to wear a skirt to the gym this evening. Priorities, you know.

I’m extra casual today, but my work wardrobe includes a lot of dresses and skirts. There are days, though, when I’ve had enough of my skirt by 5 pm and I’m ready to kick back in something super comfortable. So what’s a good weeknight after-five uniform?

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It’s Friday, which means a weekend of kid activities and errands. It also means a weekend of yoga pants and tees, because why bother getting dressed if you’re just going to be grocery shopping and watching soccer, right?

Wrong. There’s no reason to use the weekend as an excuse to look like a slob. It is entirely possible to be stylish and comfortable at the same time. Even on the weekend. Even with kids.

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