We've all encountered terms like casual, formal, or smart-casual when it comes to fashion. But what do they really mean?
Casual attire refers to relaxed, everyday clothing suitable for various outings. In contrast, formal wear involves dressier items like suits, ties, and dress shoes. Smart-casual combines casual and formal elements for a polished yet youthful style. Today, we'll focus on casual style, as it's the most prevalent for many men.
Even if you never don a suit, casual wear is a must. So, what items define casual style?
T-Shirts
A well-fitting T-shirt should have sleeves reaching mid-bicep, a snug but not tight fit, and a length extending about 4-5 inches past the hips. These T-shirts pair perfectly with jeans, boots, etc. Plain crew neck or V-neck T-shirts in colors like white, black, gray, and navy are versatile and stylish with almost anything. Simple striped patterns are also easy to wear.
For crew necks, avoid a too-high, tight neckline – it's only good for lounging at home. A slightly wider neck that shows a bit of collarbone is ideal. For V-necks, don't go too deep and revealing.
To mix it up, consider Henley T-shirts (with a buttoned placket at the neck). Wear them like regular T-shirts and mix and match comfortably.
Jeans
Fit is everything. Surprisingly, some people have never worn jeans. I realized this when I started my fashion blog, and it was contrary to my belief that everyone owns at least one pair of jeans. Or maybe it's just surprising to a "jeans addict" like me?
For beginners: start with slim-fit jeans, not skinny. You'll find it much easier. If you plan to wear jeans often, choose clean designs without logos or intricate embroidery that draw too much attention.
Chinos
Whether it's a pullover or a cardigan, ensure they're not too tight to allow for layering. There's nothing better than wearing a shirt underneath, a sweater on top, and a warm coat in winter.
Besides crew neck and V-neck sweaters, turtlenecks are making a comeback with more modern and youthful fits.
Sweaters
Whether it's a pullover or a cardigan, ensure they're not too tight to allow for layering. There's nothing better than wearing a shirt underneath, a sweater on top, and a warm coat in winter.
Besides crew neck and V-neck sweaters, turtlenecks are making a comeback with more modern and youthful fits.
Casual Shirts
It's hard to overlook shirts in casual wear, especially the wildly popular plaid ones. Casual shirts typically have softer collars compared to formal shirts (which have stiff collars to accommodate ties).
As mentioned earlier, comfort is key when choosing a casual shirt. You should be able to easily slide two fingers between your collar and neck.
Additionally, the sleeve length should ideally end at the wrist, perhaps a tad longer but not by much. You can always roll up the sleeves if they're too long.
Jackets
Leather jackets, denim jackets, bomber jackets, etc., are quintessential casual outerwear. A well-fitting jacket should have shoulders that align with yours, and the length should reach the hips or slightly longer.
Shoes
Two pairs of minimalist sneakers—one black and one white—are essential for casual style. Try it out, and you'll see that any outfit can look more complete with either of these pairs.
For variety, consider boat shoes or loafers in the summer. Additionally, derby shoes with brogue detailing (perforated patterns) lean more towards casual wear. Pairing brogue shoes with jeans or chinos is something fashion enthusiasts worldwide have been doing for years.
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