Men’s casual style was born in America and is defined by 5 categories of pieces: T-shirts, jeans, casual shirts, chinos and sneakers. They are combined without formal rules, but with a sense of harmony that separates a successful outfit from a sloppy one. This article explains where casual style came from, what a casual outfit means, how to put one together and which footwear suits it best.
1. Where did casual style come from?
Casual style began in America, though European versions took shape alongside it. American casual is built from several elements: a whiff of the Wild West, the understated elegance of the 1920s, iconic pieces from the gangster world, the golden age of Hollywood and the Ivy League style. These seemingly unrelated elements were brought together into a single coherent style by the legendary Ralph Lauren in the last quarter of the 20th century.
2. What exactly is a casual outfit?
In essence, casual is the most relaxed dress code. It resembles smart casual, minus the sport jacket. It imposes the fewest constraints and leaves the most room for creativity. Women and men embrace it in equal measure. Casual style grew out of the wish to look good even on a stroll or a trip to the market. Free of rigour, functional and comfortable, it became a fashion. And since it is within everyone’s reach, it spread quickly.
3. What makes up a casual wardrobe?
Clothes with a chic, slightly sporty air: versatile, unpretentious, unstructured and simply cut. All of them are now enjoying their heyday. The T-shirt, printed or plain, jeans, the casual shirt, the fine-knit roll-neck, chinos and sneakers are the usual props of casual style. In principle, almost everything in a man’s wardrobe (except the suit, the blazer and patent leather shoes) falls into the casual category.
4. How is a striking casual outfit put together?
In warm weather, jeans pair naturally with a favourite T-shirt and sneakers. In the colder months, the same jeans with a roll-neck jumper and an overcoat stand out at once. Any accessories that give pleasure are welcome too. The famous casual Friday of the corporate world means office attire just like the outfits described here.
5. Which footwear suits this style?
From sneakers, in white or in leather, and loafers to Chukka, Chelsea or Jodhpur boots. All of them fit easily into a relaxed yet striking ensemble. A small secret: the casual man will always favour suede over smooth leather.
Casual style, then, has redefined urban elegance for good over recent decades. Relaxed as it is, casual can produce outfits with real artistry. The art lies in harmonious combinations and in suiting the social context. Both matter, because first impressions really do count.
