You don’t necessarily need a tie or tight suit trousers to do professional work: in the era of internet services you can also earn money from the comfort of your own home, before or after throwing on your everyday clothes. Think of Zuckerberg with his familiar hoodie, Jobs with his signature turtleneck sweater, or Musk’s competent appearance. Doing work and doing it well is not about the clothes you wear.
It’s not difficult to look good in a suit. If you’ve got the money and an experienced tailor who knows what he or she is doing, then you can’t really fail. Simply hand over your cash, listen to their sartorial know-how, and allow them to stitch you something that’s made to flatter the contours of your body.
But, things are not so easy with casual dress. 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. Here are some classic casual garments to get you started.
1. DENIM JEANS
According to Nick Ashley, creative director of Private White V.C., “menswear has been casual since the Second World War – men couldn’t wait to get out of uniform”. One of the garments they did want to wear though was jeans. The backbone of casual wardrobes since the 1950s, denim jeans are a staple and can form the basis of numerous off-duty looks today. While their popularity has never dwindled, there’s been a rise in the popularity of artisanal denim in recent years, with many brands making use of high quality raw denim that’s put together on vintage looms, in the way they would have been made 50 years ago. Go this route and you’ll pay a bit more, but you’ll enjoy a pair that will last decades and will only get better with age.
2. T-SHIRT
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. For your T-shirt, the rule is to keep it simple. Opt for classic crew-neck cotton T-shirts in plain colors. White, navy, black, and grey are good starting points. You can spice up your casual outfit with some bold patterns, styles, and designs if you want. But always make sure to find the right fit for your body type. You want a T-shirt that hugs your body but doesn’t look like a second skin. There is nothing worse than unflattering cuts.
3. UNDERSTATED TRAINERS
It’s important to put your best foot forward even when dressing casually. Luckily, the luxury sneaker market has seen astounding growth over the past few years with new high-end sneakers being released every month. For a ‘classic’ look, wear white sneakers that can be worn with virtually every style – go for leather if you want a more polished look. Don’t limit yourself to sneakers only, however. There are many other casual footwear alternatives such as boat shoes, desert boots, and loafers for smarter looks.
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. Just like for your T-shirt, start building up your shirt wardrobe with the essential colors. A white classic shirt is a foundation. Make sure that the collar looks good when left open to the third button but also when fully buttoned up.
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. Invest in the right cut in classic colors such as khaki, navy, and beige which are easy to match. Comfortable and stylish, chinos also can help you achieve a smart casual look. Chinos are also perfect for occasions with ambiguous dress codes, especially the smart casual and business casual styles.
6. 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. To avoid looking sloppy, go with premium fabric and finishing and pair your hoodie with sleek pants.
