Thanksgiving in Louisiana means your kid might be running around outside in 70-degree weather at noon and needing a jacket by dessert. That temperature swing—plus the inevitable gravy drip—makes dressing littles for the holiday a different game than anywhere else in the country.
Forget the wool sweaters and heavy plaids you see in every November catalog. Those looks were designed for families eating indoors in Michigan, not for kids chasing cousins around Mamaw's backyard in Youngsville while the adults argue about whose rice dressing recipe is better.
November weather here is wildly unpredictable. One year it's shorts weather, the next you're pulling out actual coats. For 2026, you're likely looking at highs somewhere in the mid-60s to low-70s, but mornings and evenings can dip into the 50s or cooler.
This means layers, but not the bulky kind. Think lightweight cardigans over short-sleeve dresses for girls, or a button-down that can roll at the sleeves paired with a vest for boys. The goal is looking put-together in photos while being able to shed or add pieces as the day goes on.
A good rule: dress them for the coldest part of the day you'll actually be photographing. If your family does the big group photo right before eating (when the light's usually best anyway), check what the temperature will be around 1 or 2 PM and plan for that.
Kids at Louisiana Thanksgiving aren't sitting politely at a table the whole time. They're playing outside, possibly getting into the pirogue in the backyard, definitely sneaking bites of pecan pie before dinner's ready. Their outfit needs to survive all of it.
For girls: Soft cotton dresses in fall colors beat anything stiff or fussy. A-line cuts let them run without restriction. Rust, mustard, olive, and burgundy all photograph beautifully against Louisiana's still-green November grass. Skip anything that requires constant smoothing or adjusting—you'll spend more time fixing her outfit than enjoying dinner.
Rompers work surprisingly well for toddlers who are still in diapers. Easier changes, and they stay tucked no matter how much crawling happens.
For boys: Stretchy chinos or soft joggers in navy, olive, or khaki look polished in photos but actually let them move. Pair with a henley or a simple button-down (chambray is forgiving with stains). Bow ties photograph well and can come off after pictures without ruining the look.
For both: Skip white. Just skip it. Between the grass stains, the sweet potato casserole, and whatever mystery substance lives on Pawpaw's porch, white is asking for stress you don't need on a holiday.
Louisiana Thanksgiving food is delicious and deeply pigmented. We're talking dark roux gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole with those candied pecans. Even the green bean casserole has that fried onion topping that somehow gets everywhere.
Patterns hide stains better than solids. A small floral print or a plaid won't show that tiny gravy splatter the way a solid rust dress will. If you have your heart set on solids, darker shades are more forgiving.
Bibs work for babies, but once kids hit toddler age, they usually rip them off. A better strategy: take all your important photos before the meal. Get the sibling shot, the cousin lineup, the four-generations picture—all before anyone sits down to eat. Then relax about the inevitable mess.
If you've got multiple littles to dress, coordinating without being matchy-matchy photographs best. Pick a color palette of 3-4 complementary shades and let each kid wear something different within that range.
A family-friendly Thanksgiving palette: burgundy, mustard, cream, and olive. One kid in a burgundy dress, another in olive pants with a cream sweater, the baby in a mustard onesie. They look intentional together without looking like a catalog shoot.
Avoid having everyone in the exact same color—it can wash out in photos and looks a little dated. The eye likes some variation.
Formal shoes and Louisiana yards don't mix. Those little ballet flats will come off within twenty minutes, and dress shoes will get caked with mud if it's rained recently (and it probably has).
For girls, ankle boots in brown or cognac look polished and can handle grass. For boys, clean sneakers in neutral colors or casual loafers work. Whatever you choose, make sure they've worn them before. Thanksgiving is not the day to break in new shoes—you'll have a miserable kid by the time turkey hits the table.
Here's what experienced Louisiana mamas know: bring a change of clothes. Not because you expect disaster, but because kids are kids. Toss a simple long-sleeve tee and leggings or joggers in the car. If something happens to the cute outfit after photos, you swap them into the backup and everyone still enjoys pumpkin pie in peace.
The backup doesn't need to be fancy. It just needs to be clean and comfortable. Your sanity is worth more than maintaining a perfect outfit through an eight-hour family gathering.
A Little Southern Charm For Every Stage
Littles Boutique was created to make dressing your littles feel easy, meaningful, and full of charm.
Youngsville, Louisiana
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