Dress code: casual
March 19th, 2008Achieving a casual, yet stylish appearance is hard to accomplish. It’s easier to look fab in dressier pieces with a “wow factor”. But looking good in casual settings is achievable if you’re mindful about the pieces that you select and how you put them together. Retaining a level of polish in casual attire goes a long way and getting that part right is just as important.
Like all dress codes, “casual” style is about following a formula. Here are the components:
- Pants, skirts and walk shorts: Casual bottoms are great in denim, corduroy, cotton twill, cotton blends, micro- checks or linen. Stick to dark blue denim if you’re over the age of 35 and stay away from the dreaded capri look.
- Tops: It’s essential that you wear the right casual top to ensure a high style quotient. Choose knitted tops, knitted tunics, knitwear and woven tops over T-shirts because they’re versatile and a lot more interesting. T-shirts don’t pop, whereas other casual top options do.
- Jackets: Adding a denim friendly, lined or unlined jacket to a casual ensemble increases your style quotient. This can’t be done in hot weather but is a must when it’s chilly. Jackets in denim, corduroy, cotton twill, cotton blends, rayon blends, acetate, polyester bends and linen are good choices.
- Cardigans: They’re the perfect light weight cover-up for dresses or sleeveless tops. Chunky knits are always casual but finer gauges will also work.
- Coat: Tailored puffer jackets, parkas or casual trenches worn to the thigh or knee are super.
- Dresses: Short jersey or cotton rich A-line day dresses are ideal.
- Shoes: Flats are generally more casual than heels so non-athletic fashion sneakers, ballet flats, espadrilles, casual sandals, thong sandals, casual short or knee-high boots and low wedges are great. Low heels can be informal if the styling is casual.
- Handbag: Sling bags are perfect, but totes, hobos, wicker or canvas bags are equally good options.
The casual dress code is often abused in the name of “comfort”. Items like sweat pants, hooded sweat tops, yoga-type pants, yoga tops, polar fleece tops, sporty windbreakers, basic T-shirts, lycra tank tops, athletic sneakers and any other type of clothing or shoe that is meant for sport or exercise does not make it into the casual wear category. This look is beyond casual wear. It’s what I call “gear” which is what you wear when you’re working out, engaging in a sport, or lounging at home. Do not wear these items in public as a form of casual wear. It’s poor style.
Casual outfit ideas from Boden.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:07 am
A lot of helpful tips! I hadn’t thought of casual as having much of a style formula. I LOVE that skirt. (But not the price…) What’s your thought on the layered crewneck shown with it - is that acceptable? I sometimes have a hard time finding the right kind of tops to go with my print skirts, so I end up wearing a lot of tees in the summer.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I love the fact that you give detailed descriptions of what is and is not acceptable and post pictures for examples. It’s very helpful — thanks!!
March 19th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Good point. The following blog entry is Wintery, but the concept for tops with skirts remains the same.
http://www.youlookfab.com/2007.....ed-skirts/
I’m not a basic cotton T-shirt fan. Step up the quality for this type of top. The effect on the photo is great so if you can find the same silhouette in a viscous or rayon blend, or in a piece of cotton knitwear instead, it’s much better.
The trick to matching tops with skirts is to keep them shorter and very tailored at the waist. T-shirts tend to stretch out and look slovenly quickly. T’s with lycra are better because this stabilizes the cotton fibers. I hope that makes sense.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Angie, this entry has a lot of great information but after reading it, my delineation between casual and smart casual feels a little blurred. Can you give some hints as to differences between the two. I understand that smart casual requires a nicer shoe, for example. However, while the middle picture is obviously casual to my eye, the first and last pictures (except for the tee) seem like they could qualify as smart casual as well with the proper shoe. Thanks.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Thanks for this. I have a big blogger event coming up — going to Disney. And I need to think about my wardrobe. I just ordered the “fun skirt” from Boden in the brown. I hope it fits. I think it’s the perfect casual look I want. I ordered the coral layered “vest” tank top to go with, and I have several cute denim jackets if it’s cool.
But that’s just one outfit, sigh… I need at least 2 more. Going to the Loft this weekend to take a looksee.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I understand your blur Patience and this is a good point. Sometimes it’s just the shoes or jacket that makes all the difference. I can take an outfit from “smart casual” to “casual” by changing my shoes to Converse and my jacket to a casual trench. It’s not really the cut of a garment that makes it smart, it’s all about the fabric. Items that aren’t crisp are often casual. The little dress on the left is in a casual cotton fabric. Add a simple casual thong sandal/flip flop and faded denim jacket to this ensemble and it’s casual. Add a patent ballet flat with a crisp white denim jacket and it’s smart casual.
I’m about to scout for a client which means that I’ll be running around a lot and my dress code is therefore “casual”. I’m wearing dark blue denim straight leg jeans, a citron cami layered with a watermelon fine knit pullover, a citron fine knit scarf and red converse sneakers. I’ll pop on my black biker jacket and bring my cream tote. If I were going out tonight, I’d change my shoes to cream patent heeled ankle boots, wear a string of pearls, change my bag to a clutch and wear a tailored pinstripe black blazer. These changes make my outfit “smart casual”. I select knitted tops and knitwear that cut across all three dress codes because that’s what’s best for my lifestyle (casual, smart casual and business casual). I also don’t wear faded jeans or T-shirts, so I tend to look a little smarter when I dress casually. I hope that’s clearer!
March 19th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I bought a pair of dark blue–almost black–walking shorts on the clearance rack at the Loft last season. I have not worn them yet but have been thinking about what outfit I’m going to pull together when the weather is appropriate. I think the model in the walking shorts (middle photo) is dressed a little more casually than I would like to dress w/my walk shorts. Also, I can’t see what is on her feet. If I’m going to wear the shorts to work on a casual day, or out running errands, what are my best options? I was thinking a crisp white mandarin collar shirt with a denim jacket. Opinions or suggestions please! And what about shoes? I prefer a little bit of a heel–is it acceptable to wear a hell with a walk short?
March 19th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I love that cardigan over the polkadot dress in the first picture. The big buttons, pattern, and color combination is so cheerful. I don’t really like the skirt with flats though. It seems too long. I always have to make sure my skirts are the right length to wear with flats, and somehow I find that they need to be shorter than usual.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Thanks, Angie! You’ve cleared things up completely. Being able to change a few pieces of an outfit to go from casual to smart casual and back again is exactly what suits my lifestyle. Your tips and examples are giving me the confidence to be able to do that.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Your walk shorts sound lovely Nicole. And I like the items that you want to wear with them. How about a little peep-toe low wedged heel? Or heeled espadrille? Yes, you can wear heels with walk shorts by the way.
Glad that it’s clear Patience!
You need to be a little taller to wear skirts at the models length Maya. I’m 5ft 6 and that’s not tall but that’s the skirt length that works best for me with flats or heels. Everyone’s knee length is different and it’s good that you recognize that your knee length needs to be a little shorter.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Hm, after reading this entry I wonder if there’s much of anything in my closet that isn’t considered casual. The timing on this is perfect though. I’m getting ready to leave on tour with our college choir, so I’ll spend a lot of time in casual clothes riding on a bus. I’ll try to do it with style.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Hmm, maybe it’s the fact that the model is headless that’s throwing me off
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
It’s rather comforting to know that my regular wardrobe can still be considered “casual”. I always feel so overdressed — not that it ever stops me. My basic outfit right now consists of fun flats, an a-line skirt in a solid color or basic pattern, a solid-colored knit top, and a light jacket or cardigan. Most people around me are either jeans-and-t-shirt types or tend to wear what you call gear. The former I find acceptable but not at all flattering on most, while the latter strikes me as disrespectful in many cases. But I must add that my outfits and I continue to get a very warm reception and I think that my style might be rubbing off on a few people.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I have definitely bookmarked this particular entry Angie, it’s like you’re speaking just to me.
I’m trying to put the whole thing to memory and promise to re-read it each time before shopping!
Great post angie!!
March 24th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I’m glad that you found this post helpful Janine!
March 27th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I’m on another website where there is a thread about capris for people over 35. The whole thread is for it, arguing that people should be able to wear and do what they want if they feel like it. Very American. At 37 I’m fairly certain I will never wear capri pants again.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 am
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