Casual dress code for men is perhaps men’s best chance to express a true sense of personal style.Whether you prefer something sleek or rugged, upscale or down-to-earth, men’s casual wear is an open invitation to dress in what feels most comfortable to you.
Rather than focusing on formalities, dressing casually is about finding the right balance between comfort, individuality, and style – think fashionable yet functional outfits
Keeping it casual
The freedom and flexibility of the casual dress code can be a little overwhelming. Most men will thus tend to retreat into the default foolproof outfit: jeans, a t-shirt, and a cool pair of sneakers. But you will see later in this article that there are more subtleties to spice up your casual look.
We know, understanding all of the style nuances can seem daunting which is why we decoded some of the most common dress codes for men (goodbye sartorial nightmares!), starting with the most casual and working our way up to the most formal.
Casual wear is relaxed, with the right amount of elegance and laid back and suited for everyday use. Casual clothes typically blend personal comfort and individuality – since you have to mix and match different garments to create your unique look.
Experiment and discover what works best for you. You can, quite literally, wear what you want (except maybe if you are thinking of running errands in your couch potato wear).
If there are no strict rules and few limits, there still are style guidelines for Casual clothes worn outside of the privacy of your home, however.
Whether you choose to keep it simple or are feeling a little adventurous, Casual can be interpreted slightly differently depending on the situation and venue. This leaves you with the difficult task of figuring out what to wear to find the sweet spot between overdressed and underdressed.
When in doubt, you should always subscribe to the golden rule that it’s always better to be overdressed than to be under dressed whatever the occasion may be.
The Casual style is very much influenced by trends, from high street to high end. But if you want to future-proof your casual wardrobe, there are a few timeless pieces that every man should own.
Casual wear usually revolves around a set of basics and classic essentials that form the building blocks of your personal style.
1. Denim jeans
The backbone of the casual outfit since the 1950s, great-fitting jeans can easily be dressed up or toned down.
2. Casual T-shirts
Inherently casual, T-shirts are an essential part of any man’s basic wardrobe. The humble T-shirt is easy to wear, subtly stylish, and as versatile as it gets – it can be worn with anything, even dressed-up tailoring.
3. Polo shirts
One level of formality above the T-shirt, the Polo shirt is another essential in your wardrobe.
4. Casual shirts
Casual long- or short-sleeved shirts are essential when you want to look a little sharper. For a more relaxed look, you can unbutton and roll the cuffs.
5. Chinos
Chinos are an excellent style item to mix things up from time to time. The same upper outfit worn with chinos instead of your jeans will instantly change your overall appearance.
6. Casual knitwear
Casual knitwear is another perfect item to mix things up from time to time. Both stylish and easy to throw on, knitwear is a basic essential of any man’s casual wardrobe.
7. Casual jackets
A lightweight jacket is a fashionable finishing touch that can add plenty of individuality to a relaxed look. It’s one of the items in your wardrobe that will stay with you for years, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality model. We like jackets so much that we dedicated an entire guide to men bomber jackets.
8. Hoodies
A streetwear staple, the hoodie is a great layering piece to keep you warm or add an edgy attitude and athleisure vibe to your casual outfits. Pair it with something sleek for a modern look..
