Introduction

Casual wear is a relaxed, spontaneous, and everyday Western dress code, popular after the 1960s
counterculture. It's often referred to as leisurewear or loungewear, but is traditionally associated
with suits, making it more formal. Modern casual fashion originated from sportswear from the
1920s, with styles like tweed blazers, oxford shoes, and golf skirts. As the century progressed,
casual styles expanded to include denim work wear and military uniforms. Materials like denim,
cotton, jersey, flannel, and fleece were used. Expressions included punk, 1970s and 1980s
fashion, and hip hop in the 1990s. (1)

Parents in casual wear with their child, 2013 image source (1)

Dress codes were initially created for different purposes, but now they mainly serve as guidelines
for attending important client offices or upscale events. Casual wear emphasizes comfort and
personal style, as formalities are less important in casual settings like barbecues or informal
gatherings. Smart appearance is crucial in these situations. (2)

Street Wear Vs. Casual Wear

This dress code should not be confused with everyday street wear or what you would slob around
in at home. A casual dress code helps to set a framework for interpretation. The word ‘casual’
means relaxed and informal, so clothing is correspondingly functional and comfortable.
Nonetheless, grooming and a suitable amount of elegance are just as important with this dress
code.
Basic Principles

The casual dress code allows T-shirts, jeans,

and trainers, but requires clean, ragged
clothing. Overly tight cuts are not allowed.
Fabrics like denim, cotton, flannel, linen,
and polyester are common, but can be
combined with elegant materials like silk
and cashmere. Consider the occasion and the
atmosphere when choosing your outfit.

Casual for Men

Wear jeans, chinos, slip-on shoes, and a light shirt or knitted sweater for a casual outfit. T-shirts
pair well with jackets or blazers. Classic pieces are safer than trends. Subtlety, simplicity, and
restraint are key for a positive impression. The best outfits are those that show nonchalance and a
relaxed individual style, without revealing much thought.
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%2Fjournal%2Ffashion%2Fhow-to-nail-smart-casual-782322&psig=AOvVaw37D

Casual for Women

When the weather is warm, women could go for a summer dress, a skirt and shirt, or long
trousers with a top. Make sure that the skirt’s hem doesn’t stretch too far over the knees.
Cardigans, button-down sweaters or blazers are all good options. Women should be aware that a
blazer will smarten up an outfit, meaning that fewer accessories are required. Otherwise, jewelry
can easily spice up a simple outfit.
Classification of casual wear

Classifications are divided into formal wear (full dress), semi-formal wear (half dress), and
informal wear (undress). Anything below this level is referred to as casual wear, although
sometimes in combinations such as "smart casual" or "business casual" in order to indicate
higher expectation than none at all.

Business casual
Business casual is basically a dress code that involves wearing
traditional business attire with a couple of relaxed tweaks here and
there. For example, wearing khaki pants or slacks with a blouse/polo,
but without a tie would be considered typically business casual.

Accessories for business casual wear

A business professional dress code, such as a suit and tie, pantsuit, or professional dress or skirt,
is becoming more popular due to the impact of clothing on psychological processes. As
enclothed cognition suggests, employers are allowing employees more freedom to wear what
they want, leading to the rise of casual dress in many businesses. The pandemic has also
influenced dress codes, with some companies reevaluating them for remote and hybrid work.
However, rules still vary across different company cultures, with creative agencies, tech startups,
and fashion industries leaning towards a more relaxed style. A business casual dress code allows
employees to wear comfortable, work-appropriate clothing, allowing them to focus on work
performance.

Key Takeaway

“Business casual” doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all definition. It depends

on the organizational and industry culture.
Casual subculture

The casual subculture, originating in the UK in the 1980s, is characterized by hooliganism and
expensive designer clothing, known as "clovers." This subculture aimed to avoid fashion and
attract police attention, while also wearing sportswear to intimidate rivals. Casuals have been
portrayed in movies and TV shows, and the documentary Casuals: The Story of
LegendaryTerrace Fashion explores the casual subculture, which began in the mid-to-late 1970s.
Liverpool youth began dressing differently, wearing Storm jackets, straight-leg jeans, and Adidas
trainers. The Perry Boys subculture, founded by Colin Blaney, was a precursor to casuals,
consisting of Manchester football hooligans who styled their hair in flicks and wore sportswear,
Fred Perry shirts, and Dunlop Green Flash trainers. (7)

The casual subculture, a part of association football culture, emerged in the late 1970s in
the UK, where hooligans wore expensive European designer clothing to avoid police
attention. The subculture embraced various genres, including Oi!, mod revival, and ska. By
the 1980s, casuals' music tastes were eclectic, with some enjoying pop groups like Wham!,
ABC, The Human League, Spandau Ballet, and Adam and the Ants. In the 1990s, many
casuals were part of the Madchester and rave scenes, and indie rock became the most
popular genre. The casual subculture's origins can be traced back to the mod subculture of
the early 1960s, which saw youths supporting clubs bring their fashions to football terraces
Friday casual

The objective of casual Friday is to add a slight casual twist to your day-to-day work attire—
balancing a work appropriate, neat look with a more laid back outfit. For example, if you wear a
suit and tie to work every day, then you could wear chinos and a sports jacket for casual Friday.

Fall Casual Friday Must-Haves

When it comes to fall casual wear, there are endless possibilities, but some of
our favorites include cozy sweaters, jeans, and leggings. But don’t just limit
yourself to dark, dull colors—have fun with them and experiment with
different hues and textures. Here are a few must-have items:

Sweaters: A cozy sweater paired with dark wash jeans is always a good
option for a casual Friday at work. Add a pair of sneakers or loafers, and
you’re good to go. If you want to dress things up, switch the jeans for black
trousers and swap the sneakers for some heels or flats.

Blazers: A printed blouse looks great with black trousers and a navy blazer.
Add a touch of leopard with your shoes or handbag to stand out from the
crowd.

Dresses: A wrap dress is always flattering and can easily take you from the
desk to dinner. This season, try a midi length in a fun print or color. Just add
a cardigan or jacket when the temperature starts to drop.

If you’re looking for something cozier, try a sweater dress with leggings and
boots. You can also add a scarf or jacket for extra warmth.

Leggings: Leggings are another fall staple that can be dressed up or down
depending on the occasion. We love pairing them with an oversized sweater
and sneakers for a casual day out. Or, if you’re looking to dress them up a bit,
try pairing them with a leather jacket and heels.

Informal wear
A casual dress code is generally considered less formal than business casual.
Employees may wear more relaxed, informal clothing but not necessarily what
they wear on the street or lounging at home. For example, a casual dress
code may let employees wear jeans every day but still discourage

sweatpants.
Informal dress codes are on the increase in business environments, replacing traditional business
dress codes such as business casual or business attire, especially in small, family-run operations,
young start-ups, creative professions and the fashion industry. In the fashion sector it is even
desirable for staff to use the freedom offered by this dress code to highlight their own
personalities. Depending on a company’s philosophy and values, having uniformed employees in
such companies would give outsiders the wrong impression.
 Smart Casual?

Smart casual is a Western dress code that combines casual wear with smart components of a
proper lounge suit. It was first mentioned in 1924 and became business casual in the 1950s. The
definition is disputed, as different cultures and events may have varying expectations. Personal
judgment is required to interpret smart casual based on context, theme, people, location, weather,
and spirit. Topman emphasizes its flexibility, while Cosmopolitan in South Africa interprets it as
the way most South African women dress for work and parties. The Guardian questions
recruitment consultants to clarify smart casual. The smart casual look allows flexibility for
personal taste in fashion and includes jackets, outfit-enhancing jewelry, dress pants,
dress shirts, skirts, tailored sweaters, vests, ties, matching leather accessories, and
leather pull on shoes and boots. Smart casual dressing is often adopted by employees
who want to look ready for their next promotion."

Typical smart casual attire for men may include:

 Well-fitted trousers or chinos
 Collared shirt
 Blazer or sport coat (we recommend these suit colors)
 Dress shoes or loafers
 Accessories like belts, ties, or pocket squares can also be incorporated to elevate the
outfit
Smart casual Trend

For women, this means that items such as a classic two-piece suit or
corporate dresses can be avoided. To nail the smart casual look,
choose items such as: Tops: Neutral or colourful and/or print blouses
and shirts, smart cardigans in dressy fabrics such as crepe knit, silk
button up shirts or collared shirts.
Neutrals. While bright and bold colors will always have a place in
fashion, neutrals are set to be a big trend in 2023. From beige and
white to black and grey, neutral tones offer a more understated and
sophisticated look.
Silhouette smart casual wear
Color Choices

Since the smart casual dress code is rather reserved, you should go for inconspicuous patterns or
un showy colors such as browns, blues or greys. If you want to add a stronger touch, try a
discreetly patterned shirt or coloured socks – the latter have made a comeback in recent years
and are no longer taboo if you want something a bit more striking. However, don’t overdo the
colorful touches; just make sure that they always fit harmoniously within the outfit as a whole.

fabric,

It aims to add as much comfort as possible to wool's unique elegance in this collection, combining comfort
and elegance with bold and unique color combinations.

Some compositions used for casual wear fabric collections are as follows;

 Wool/Cotton
 Wool/Silk/Linen
 Wool/Linen
 Wool/Cashmere
 Wool/Polyester/Lycra
 100% Linen
 100% Cotton and Cotton/Lycra

Recommended accessories of casual wear

Casual accessories are the perfect way to elevate your style effortlessly. Whether it’s a classic
watch, stylish sunglasses, statement earrings, or versatile scarves, there are countless options to
choose from. Experiment with different accessories to find what suits your personal style and
enhances your overall look. Remember, accessories are the finishing touches that can make a
world of difference in transforming a simple outfit into a stylish ensemble.

1. Classic Watches

A timeless accessory that never goes out of style, a classic watch adds a touch of sophistication
to any outfit. Opt for a sleek and minimalist design for a versatile timepiece that can be worn
with both casual and dressy attire.

2. Stylish Sunglasses

Not only do sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun, but they also add a cool factor to your
overall look. Choose a pair that complements your face shape and personal style, whether
aviators, wayfarers, or cat-eye frames.
3. Statement Earrings

If you want to make a bold statement, opt for a pair of eye-catching earrings. Whether it’s
oversized hoops, chandelier earrings, or geometric designs, statement earrings can instantly
elevate a simple outfit.

Design development of casual wear by garment weset

6. Stylish Belts

A well-fitted belt can cinch in your waist and give your outfit a polished look. Opt for a classic
leather belt or experiment with statement belts in different materials and designs.

7. Layered Necklaces

Layering necklaces is a popular trend that adds depth and visual interest to your outfit. Mix and
match different lengths and styles to create a unique and personalized look.
8. Chic Handbags

A stylish handbag is an essential accessory for any outfit. Opt for a versatile and timeless design
that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

10. Comfortable Footwear

Last but not least, comfortable and stylish footwear is essential for completing your casual look.
From sneakers to sandals, choose footwear that not only looks good but also provides comfort
and support.

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