The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade always marks the start of the holiday season. This year’s 99th annual celebration brought the joy, the nostalgia, and—most importantly—the style. Even with the crisp New York air, favorite Black celebrities kept things warm with bold coats. Playful textures and luxe winter statements lit up Manhattan from float to float.
Cynthia Erivo opened the show with elegance that set the tone for the day. Ciara brought pink ski-lodge energy to the Big Apple with her float appearance. Busta Rhymes and Lil Jon turned Thanksgiving morning into a party with their performances. The celebrity style made the parade moments truly pop and memorable for viewers nationwide.
Ciara Delivers Playful Baby Pink Float Fashion
Ciara lit up the Colossal Wave of Wonder float by Kalahari Resorts & Conventions spectacularly. She wore a pastel-pink winter look from Cordova that caught everyone’s attention. The Barbie-pink one-piece featured oversized faux-fur cuffs that added luxurious texture. Matching fluffy boots completed the snow-glam moment perfectly.
The outfit turned the float into a full winter wonderland aesthetic. The look was cozy, fun, and perfectly on theme for the holiday celebration. It was the kind of bright holiday energy only Ciara can deliver with such effortless style. Her fashion choice embodied playful femininity while remaining practical for the cold November weather.
Teyana Taylor Serves High-Fashion Holiday Drama
Teyana rode through the parade on the Peacock float with signature flair. She still managed to turn the route into her own runway despite the moving platform. She wore an ivory Moncler x Jil Sander coat covered in looped, sculptural detailing. The texture created instant movement as the float made its way down Sixth Avenue.
She styled the coat with a sleek white hood and bright red gloves strategically. The look felt warm, editorial, and completely her personal aesthetic. It proved that Teyana can deliver a statement on any stage, even a moving one. Her fashion choice demonstrated how luxury outerwear can be both functional and dramatically beautiful.
Cynthia Erivo Gives Two Luxe Winter Looks
Cynthia opened the parade and gave viewers range throughout the morning with multiple outfits. Her first look was a deep burgundy coat layered over tonal pieces thoughtfully. She finished the ensemble with a sharp fedora that added sophistication. The fit was so Cynthia—dramatic and elegant in equal measure.
For her second outfit, she switched to rich chocolate-brown layers and a long teddy coat. The plush texture provided warmth while maintaining high-fashion appeal. One of the day’s most heartwarming moments came while she wore this second look. These outfit changes demonstrated Erivo’s commitment to bringing theatrical elegance to the parade experience.
Sisterhood Moment Between Cynthia Erivo and Queen Latifah
While wearing her chocolate-brown ensemble, Cynthia spotted Queen Latifah in the crowd at Herald Square. She sent her a hug from across the crowded space immediately. Queen Latifah happily returned the gesture, creating a touching display of affection. It was a moment of sisterhood and style captured on camera.
The exchange demonstrated the bonds between Black women in entertainment who support each other publicly. Both women are accomplished performers who have paved paths for others in their respective fields. Their public display of love and respect resonated with viewers watching at home. The moment added emotional depth to the visual spectacle of the parade itself.
Busta Rhymes Rocks Snow-White Quilted Puffer
Busta Rhymes hit the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chocolate Factory float with high energy. He wore a look that matched the morning chill while maintaining his signature style. His all-white quilted puffer jacket from Christopher Raxxy featured sculptural, cloud-like texture throughout. He paired it with matching pants and crisp sneakers for a cohesive look.
With his signature gold chain layered on top, he turned a performance moment into fashion. The outfit became a full winter fashion flex rather than just cold-weather gear. Busta demonstrated how men can embrace texture and monochromatic dressing while maintaining street credibility. His appearance proved that performance attire and high fashion can merge successfully.
Lil Jon Brings Pure Energy to Toys”R”Us Float
Lil Jon brought pure energy to the Toys”R”Us float with his characteristic enthusiasm. He did it in a look that matched the fun of the moment perfectly. The rapper rocked a bright red jacket layered over a crisp white turtleneck. Heavily distressed light-wash denim added texture and edge to the outfit.
A blue beanie, black shades, oversized gloves, and his signature gold chains pulled everything together. The accessories gave him a playful-but-still-Lil-Jon vibe that fans recognized immediately. While he performed “Turn Down For What,” the outfit and energy created a millennial vibe. His appearance turned the parade into a nostalgic block party moment for viewers.
Bold Coats and Luxe Winter Statements Define Fashion
The crisp New York air didn’t stop celebrities from delivering stunning fashion moments. Bold coats became the defining fashion element of the 2025 parade. Each celebrity chose outerwear that made statements while providing necessary warmth. Playful textures added visual interest to the television broadcast.
Luxe winter statements lit up Manhattan from float to float throughout the morning. The fashion choices demonstrated how Black celebrities use style to express joy and creativity. Even in functional winter clothing, they found ways to showcase personality and flair. Their looks proved that cold-weather dressing doesn’t require sacrificing style for comfort.
Black Celebrity Style Dominates Parade Fashion Conversation
Black celebrities dominated the fashion conversation following the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Their bold choices and confident styling captured viewer attention more than traditional parade elements. Social media buzzed with praise for Ciara’s pink moment, Teyana’s editorial coat, and Cynthia’s elegance. These fashion moments became as memorable as the parade’s iconic balloons and performances.
The styling demonstrated Black celebrities’ influence on contemporary fashion trends and holiday aesthetics. Their willingness to take risks with color, texture, and silhouette inspires fans nationwide. The parade platform allowed them to showcase how Black style merges luxury, playfulness, and sophistication. Their fashion leadership continues shaping how Americans dress for holiday celebrations and special occasions.
Parade Becomes Runway for Black Fashion Excellence
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade functioned as much more than a holiday tradition. It became a runway showcasing Black fashion excellence to millions of viewers. Each celebrity treated their parade appearance as an opportunity for style storytelling. Their outfits communicated personality, creativity, and the joy of Black self-expression.
The parade’s massive audience—both in-person and broadcast—provides unparalleled fashion exposure. Black celebrities capitalized on this platform to present diverse aesthetics and approaches to style. From Ciara’s Barbie pink to Teyana’s high fashion to Cynthia’s theatrical elegance, they demonstrated range. Their collective presence proved that Black style contains multitudes and resists simple categorization.
Winter Fashion That Balances Function and Statement-Making
All the featured celebrities balanced functional winter clothing with statement-making fashion successfully. New York’s November weather requires genuine warmth, not just stylish appearances. Each outfit provided real protection from cold while looking camera-ready for broadcast. This balance between function and fashion represents skilled styling and thoughtful preparation.
Ciara’s faux-fur elements, Teyana’s substantial coat, and Cynthia’s layering all served practical purposes. Yet none of these functional choices compromised the visual impact of their looks. Busta’s quilted puffer and Lil Jon’s jacket provided warmth while making bold statements. The celebrities proved that practical winter dressing and fashion-forward styling can coexist successfully.
Parade Start to Holiday Season With Style
The parade always marks the start of the holiday season for many American families. The 2025 edition kicked off this period with exceptional style and energy. Black celebrities set the tone for holiday fashion with their bold, joyful choices. Their looks suggested that the upcoming holiday season should embrace color, texture, and playfulness.
The fashion moments provided inspiration for viewers planning their own holiday outfits and celebrations. Seeing celebrities embrace maximalist winter style encourages others to do the same. The parade’s fashion legacy extends beyond the broadcast through social media sharing and discussion. These celebrity looks will influence holiday party outfits, family gathering attire, and New Year’s Eve fashion.
Nostalgia, Block Party Energy Define Millennial Parade Moments
The parade included moments that felt like nostalgia combined with block party energy. Lil Jon’s performance of “Turn Down For What” transported millennial viewers back to the early 2010s. Busta Rhymes’ appearance on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles float mixed childhood memories with hip-hop culture. These moments demonstrated how the parade evolves while honoring different generational experiences.
The blend of traditional parade elements with contemporary Black culture created unique viewing experiences. Younger audiences saw themselves reflected in performers who shaped their musical tastes. The parade successfully bridged generations through thoughtful performer and float selections. This inclusive approach ensures the parade’s continued relevance across diverse American audiences.
