Shopping in Winnetka

Between stirring the gravy, basting the turkey every 30 minutes, and warming sides on a constant rotation, putting together a Thanksgiving dinner can feel a lot like choreographing a ballet. Adding to the stress: best practices dictate that you be dressed in your holiday finest before you even roll up your sleeves. Whatever your style, throw on one of these aprons to keep your ensemble table-ready, no matter how hard you stir, whisk, mash, or peel. For the chef who demands control over the kitchen:  1. Darth Baker apron from Modcloth ($24.99) Sometimes, there only needs to be one cook in the kitchen. Breathe heavily on intruders while wearing this 100% cotton apron from Modcloth and see them scurry faster than a colony of Teeks. For the old-fashioned, from-scratch fanatic: 2. Saddle Up Girls vintage apron from The Apron Shoppe ($49.99) The Apron Shoppe’s forte is flirty designs, and this pink style is no exception. The gingham trim and flouncy skirt give it feminine flair, while the purdy-cowgirl print will explain the horse tied up in your front yard. For the chef who follows grandma’s recipes to a T: 3. Embroidered pin-dot June half-apron from Jessie Steele ($50) The eyelets and embroidery on this pink half-apron have an old-fashioned feel, and the two side pockets are perfect for stashing grandma’s recipe cards and grandpa’s happy flask. For the chef who stirs in style: 4. Haute Couture apron at MCA Store ($65)  Made by French company Prêt-à-Tacher (French for “ready to stain”), this apron’s exclusive American retailer is the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago's store (220 E. Chicago Ave.). The blinged-out neckline is printed with crystals and gold- and diamond-encrusted silverware. For the chef who favors victory rolls over crescent rolls:  5. Bib Audrey deco dot apron from Jessie Steele ($35)  This polka-dot piece fits right in with the vintage-inspired designs prominent on this online catalog, but it gets a modern twist thanks to a coating of EVA that makes gravy spills or lipstick smears easy to wipe away. For the chef who makes their own place cards and centerpieces:  6. Handmade red-swirl apron at Greenheart ($24.95) In keeping with the rest of the handmade wares found at Greenheart (1714 N. Wells St.), this apron comes from Dsenyo, an organization that sponsors the work of struggling artisans in Malawi, Africa.

When Greg Focker met Pam Byrnes’s folks for the first time in Meet the Parents, it was a total disaster. And while most real-life introductions aren't marred by a faux pas as bad as losing the family cat, meeting the parents is still fairly nerve-racking. Many couples cross that bridge during the holiday season, when there’s plenty of family gatherings to bring a new mate to. A put-together outfit can certainly help make a good first impression, so here are two holiday looks (one for him, one for her) that balance formality and comfort. Suit pants and gemstone jewelry offer upscale touches, while knitwear keeps things from feeling too stiff. And if you know a gathering is going to be less than formal, a pair of jeans could easily be swapped in to either look. His Look The combination of navy, brown, and gray is classic and approachable, but the slim fit of the pants gives them enough edge that they’ll work in your regular wardrobe. The accessories polish the look, particularly a dual time-display watch that lets you keep track of your family’s time zone and impress everyone by excusing yourself to call your own parents and wish them a happy holiday. 1. Cardigan; Ted Baker ($225) 2. Checkered shirt; Jack Spade ($145) 3. Monk-strap shoes; Suitsupply ($289) 4. Watch; Original Penguin ($145) 5. Horween for Haberdash belt; Haberdash ($98) 6. Trousers; Suitsupply ($149) Her Look The jacquard skirt and angora sweater create a foolproof black-and-white color palette, which means you can spend less time planning your outfit and more time memorizing plot points from mom’s favorite classic films. But the green agate necklace and floral clutch introduce just enough personality to make the look special, and the modest height of the kitten heels makes it easier to walk as you carry grandma’s treasured casserole to the dining table. 1. Angora sweater; Topshop ($80) 2. Floral clutch; Brahmin ($275) 3. Sam Edelman kitten heels; Lori’s Shoes ($124.95) 4. Necklace; Graziela Gems ($240) 5. Leopard jacquard skirt; Whistles UK ($225) 6. Stud earrings; Francesca’s ($9)

There’s no getting around the fact that holiday travel is stressful—everyone’s on the move, so airports become overcrowded very quickly. Couple this with inclement weather, and you could be stuck in a veritable purgatory caused by flight delays and frozen planes. In a place where schedules are so unpredictable, comfort is of utmost importance. You’ll need an outfit that will remain cozy whether you’re squished in a middle seat or curled up at the gate napping through a long delay. Don’t forget to consider anything that might slow you down at security. That means packing your jewelry, belts, and lace-up combat boots, but it doesn’t mean style has to go out the triple-paned window entirely. The Look In a pinch, this cozy sweater can double as a pillow if you wear a tee underneath, and the oversized coat can double as a blanket when snoozing at the gate or on the plane. The padded headphones will be more comfortable than wearing earbuds all day and may stop fellow travelers from chatting you up if you wish to be left alone. Leggings are a no-brainer, and the roomy tote can stash snacks, books, and, in the event of a canceled flight, an emergency jetpack. 1. Turtleneck sweater; French Connection ($148) 2. Double-breasted coat; Rebecca Taylor ($510) 3. Silver ankle boots; Mista ($294.41) 4. Black leggings; Lori’s Shoes ($28) 5. Tote bag; Sir & Madame ($350) 6. Silver headphones; Aha Life ($200) For a budget-friendly version of this look, check out this sweater, coat, boots, tote, and headphones.